*THE EXPANSE* 1x07 Reaction - "Windmills" - Ubiquitous Donkey Balls!

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Hope you enjoy my first time watching Episode 1x07 WINDMILLS of The Expanse.
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[@cheekychappy1234]

As you haven't read Don Quixote - Rocinante is Don Quixote's horse that, like Don Quixote himself, is "past his prime, and engaged in a task beyond his capacities"

[@mattpickard8545]

Rocinante is the name of Don Quixote's horse.

[@TheDetailsMatter]

Dulcinea is Don Quixote's idealized lady.

[@NewAeonWarlord]

- The Scopuli was destroyed in Episode 1 in the attack on the Canterbury. - Millers buddy Semi is on Eros and told him that the shuttle of the Anubis is on Eros. Miller knew from his investigations that Julie and her crew were trying to intercept the Anubis. It's his only lead right now so that's why he's on his way to Eros to check out who the hell arrived there from the Anubis. - Lionel Polanski is a codename for contacting the OPA by their operatives who were the crew of the Scopuli, that's why Fred Johnson sent the Rocinante to where their message came from (which is that asteroid).

[@TArnoldFerguson]

Miller headed to Eros since he got a call from his friend saying that a shuttle from the Anubis was docked on Eros. IOW, he's following up on a lead.

[@artdogg50]

Yes said it has been there for a while just piling up dock fees.

[@kirkdarling4120]

So Holden was born to be a leader, given battles he can't win...and he never realized that tilting at windmills was a tragedy. We don't hate your asking random questions...that's all anyone can do at this point. Then when you get an answer, you say, "Oh, yeah. Should have seen that coming."

[@travelwell6049]

He’s asking really good questions to be fair, not really random questions.

[@obelisk21]

The scene between Avasarala and Holden's mother Elise is one of the best examples of how good the writing of this series is and the correct way to write amazing, strong, and complex female characters without virtue signalling. Two family matriarchs going toe to toe and calling each other on their bullshit and still making it seem like a real conversation that we could all recognize in everyday life. And it is only going to get better...

[@mmattson8947]

When some complainers ask the writers why isn't there more high tech, the writers point out the computer interface and algorithms. The programming to get that AI right is mind blowing. You have Miller in a noisy restaurant, speaking Belter Creole while eating, and his pad can accurately distinguish when he is giving a command, commenting to himself, or talking to the bartender.

[@xCPTxNEMO]

This is one of those shows I watched without really knowing what to expect and loved it from the get go. I wish I could watch all it all for the first time again, so I’ll guess I settle for vicarious experience of watching you trying to figure the show out. I appreciate that you’re approaching this as a fan of the genre in general but also adding a bit of a technical perspective when you mention the production of the show.

[@blackpaw29]

That last call Miller got from his friend Semi - he said a shuttle from the Anubis had docked at Eros.

[@scambammer6102]

The next episode (1/8) begins an incredible run that lasts until the end of season 3. From this point, the show is simply fantastic. It will blow your mind.

[@nrXic]

"You guys must hate me for asking random questions" not at all! We all had the same questions throughout this first season and the entire series in general. It's all intriguing and I think you asking them out aloud makes you a great reacter.

[@travelwell6049]

I didn’t have all these questions because I wasn’t even able to follow it well enough to even know what I didn’t know. 🤦‍♀️ Except for wondering what the OPA was; everything else just floated over my head.

[@blackpaw29]

We love you asking random questions! Keeps it fresh and alive, reminds us of that first time when it was all up in the air :)

[@courtneyshumway1922]

Also here for the first-watch after-glow. We love to see it. We live vicariously through commentary at this point.

[@courtneyshumway1922]

You are not failing in anything! You are my favorite reactor. We die-hard fans watch reactors like you to feel what it was to watch for the first time. Your thoughts are cogent and insightful. Thank you for your work and keep going!

[@NeilTalks]

Thank you so much!

[@TheDetailsMatter]

Kenzo in the Airlock. He doesn't want to feel Amos'right cross again, and he sure as hell isn't looking forward to being spaced by Amos, so he's jury rigging the door Control to open the inner door instead of the outer when Amos comes to kill him. And he's also rigged the touchscreen to impart a quaint old electric shock to Amos. Kenzo knows damn well he can't win against Amos in a one-on-one fight, so the plan is to knock the big guy on his ass when the door opens, then kick him in the teeth while he's on the floor twitching. When Amos comes back with friendly words Kenzo has seconds to undo the trap or, when Amos tried to open the inner door, the outer would open instead. Bad day for Kenzo, and self-inflicted to boot.

[@sallyshipwreck4315]

Amos didn't respond to Naomi because he doesn't trust her any more. Notice Amos also tells Kenzo Holden is not their captain. The Churn is an Expanse short story you can find online. I think Kenzo was electrifying the door frame to knock out Amos --- just a thought. "friendos" - so dorky and endearing! Miller's friend told him the shuttle from Anubis is on Eros; that's why he's going. Yep that necklace is very much a rosary for him - all about belief.

[@IdleCommentator]

They actually give you the name of the guy Avasarala blackmailed into giving up his spy on Tycho. In s01e06 around 23-24 min there is a scene between Erringwright and Chrisjen, where he tells her: "Carlos Davila just reamed me out for half an hour ..." So when Kenzo tells "I'm a consultant for Davila Aerospatiale", it's a definite confirmation that he is a spy working for UN (and not some other party involved).

[@Kai-fb1ol]

I just thought of him (Kenzo) as Adam Jensen. I knew that voice instantly.

[@IanHillan]

Loving all your questions and theories, so keep them coming. That said, I'm not really gonna be in a hurry to answer them unless I can be 100% sure it's spoiler free. Tough with this show since so many details are foreshadowing for future episodes (or seasons!) and we are so often deliberately kept in the dark for later reveals. Just know that, as always and as already said multiple times, answers to everything you're wondering about will come, a long with more questions. You are more on the ball than you think, but I think you'll enjoy the next few seasons as everything unfolds and (ahem) expands. See you next time.

[@LeeCarlson]

Miller after seeing the flight-plan data knows that the Scopuli was planning to intercept the Anubis which was en route to Eros. However, James Holden's broadcast included the information that the Canterbury had responded to a false mayday signal from the Scopuli before it was destroyed. So he contacted his friend on Eros to see if the Anubis had docked there and discovered that the Anubis was not at Eros, but the short-range shuttle, Anubis 1A, was there. So Miller is on his way to Eros looking for the next clue as to Julie Mao's whereabouts and disposition.

[@IdleCommentator]

Lol, I just realized something about one particular exchange between Holden and Amos in this episode by watching your reaction and its relation to one of the most popular and well-known scenes in the entire series. It would interesting to get back to it once you get to that episode.

[@BD-yl5mh]

You’re referring to “you’re not that guy” right?

[@astrodude5222]

Your reasoning and guesses of what is going on are really impressive. You’re definitely catching more than I did the first time through. I’m so glad you’re getting me to watch these episodes again. Keep up the good work

[@NeilTalks]

Thank you so much! I'm having a blast with this show!

[@teambanzai9491]

If you haven't figured it out yet, when Holden chose the replacement name for the Tachi, it's from Cervantes' work, Don Quixote. The very book being discussed by Avasarala and his mom. Rocinante is the name of Don Quixote's horse. The very heart of The Expanse is the crew of the good ship Rocinante. Two Earthers, a Martian, and a Belter.

[@BD-yl5mh]

It’s so cool watching you react to this having seen the whole series but not having seen season 1 since I first watched it YEARS ago. Things change a lot over the course of the show, so I know kinda the crescendo that we’re building to, but I really don’t remember how all the little pieces of millers investigation exactly fit together and exactly how much the crew of the Rocinante find out/work how, how quickly

[@pgreen0001]

Neal you are doing a great job. I hope you get to take it in while you’re analyzing it. Just hold on it will all be made clear. IMHO it is the greatest sci-fi show ever made. You are watching a masterpiece in the making so enjoy. Great video!

[@PsychoMuffinSDM]

Hey NEIL, just a little backstory for you: Tycho corp has been around a few generations, They are more known for building stations or spinning up asteroids and making spacestaions out of them (building ships is kinda new for them). Fred is a manager of one of them. Early on in the corporation, they spun up Eros, it was a beacon of commerce. All the hot high-tech companies were there. Ships would want to minimize dock times because of the high dock fees from the high demand. After some time though, Tycho spun up Ceres, and construction, design techniques, etc all improves. Ceres as a station was way better than Eros. All the best companies moved to there. Which left a lot of vacancies on Eros. The economy wound down, demand for docks lowered. Eros turned into a station with brothels, casinos (more specifically pachinco), and other more "holiday" type stuff. A place a space buckaroo could park a ship for a few days and have a fun time. It's just interesting how the book goes into the differences in these locales.

[@theoriginalkimerli]

Spy: “Hey guys, what is your Wi-Fi password?” Hahaha

[@jamesholland5761]

Another great reaction and analysis! To the contrary I feel that most everyone is really enjoying your journey so far! Try to remember that the writers don't reveal information until they want you to know. When Miller was at Julie's apartment he saw the bird again. Miller was struggling about what to do next to find Julie, then his buddy call from Eros saying a small shuttle " Anubis 1A " was on Eros racking up dock fees. That's why Miller decided that's the next clue to investigate! The scene with Amos and Holden was very interesting! Holden on one hand wasn't going to be responsible for killing more Martians and threatened Amos who truly doesn't care if Holden pulls the trigger because either way he isn't going to be taken alive by the Martians. You are asking the right questions, answers are coming! Looking forward to the next one!

[@snarflcat6187]

The jumpsuits are Pur N Clean gas Freighter jumpsuits. Beratna is Belter for “Brother,” in the broad sense. (Or fellow Belters.) Asteroid: the Roci is going to an asteroid, as that’s the last location that Fred has for “Lionel Polanski.”. But it’s “an uncharted Belt asteroid,” so wouldn’t be a rock people could live on…so it must be ship that’s at that location. Eros: Millers going to Eros bc Julie seems to have gone there. Aesthetic/Art: yeah. The thing that set SW apart was the lived-in look the world had. They def also use this aesthetic in the Expanse.

[@aartsst3227]

Your theories at the start - All I can say is your gettin warmer Doc….. 😎 The plastic chips Miller grabs are casino chips - used by belters, both criminal & regular, as a kind of universal currency (very handy for bribes etc) Miller’s having second thoughts about a lot of the choices he’s made - hence when the pawn shop guy says “that’s a lot of winnings”, Miller reply’s “yeah, for a lifetime of losing” & He’s going to Eros because his friend messaged him saying the ship he’s looking for - the Anubis, never showed up, but a short range shuttle from it, Anubis 1A is sitting on Eros racking up dock fees.

[@peadarruane6582]

The 'Basic' on Earth isn't UBI, people on Basic get housing, basic food and basic needs. They can't work, or pursue education. The Spy was rigging the panel to fry Amos, at least that is what I think. Don Quixote believes himself to be a knight following chivalric values of times gone by, in a corrupt and jaded world, picking fights that cannot win, and is dismissed by his contemporaries as being naively idealistic. Hence tilting at windmills, thinking they are giants. The name of the first episode was Dulcinea which is Don Quixote's love interest. And his horse is named... you guessed it.... Rocinante. You are meant to be a bit lost and confused. The books were written from pov so you are only meant to know as much as the characters know. Your only advantage as a reader/viewer is that you get to see all the perspectives. The Opa agent Lionel polanski was sent out on a mission on the scupuli, but then they lost contact. We saw the scopuli in the first episode and it was totally empty except for the beacon. The Opa later got a beacon from polanski with coordinates, that asteroid, and that is where the Roci was going. You are doing a great job. Keep asking questions! Keep speculating! we all did when we were watching it. Some of your theories are spot on. Others are way off the mark, but still fun. Just loving your enthusiasm for the show.

[@geofftottenperthcoys9944]

To me one of the greatest sci-fi shows ever.

[@Carabas72]

The Rocinante is headed to Eros Station, which is built into an asteroid called Eros (that actually exists in real life). And they're headed to Eros because that is where the last messgae from Lionel Pulanski, crew member of the Scopulae, came from.

[@mattwhorlow9900]

This is incorrect. The last message from Lionel Pulanski, was from a random asteroid (NOT Eros), and this is where the Rocinante is currently headed

[@TheDetailsMatter]

They're going to Eros because Amos got into the Anubis' computer and discovered that was where "Lionel Polanski" indicated "he" was taking the shuttle, Anubis 1A after parking the main ship.

[@mattwhorlow9900]

@@TheDetailsMatter - You are an episode early. Lets try to keep this spoiler free ;)

[@TheDetailsMatter]

@@mattwhorlow9900 Thanks, but you're thinking of a Miller interaction on Eros, that's next episode. In this episode the crew learns where the shuttle got off to from the computer while the power is on.

[@naynay3710]

You said the magic word! You are SO good!! Not telling which word, though. ----- No! You are failing NOTHING. You are doing great and probably better than some. Absolutely better than I did, the first time I watched this. You don't need to apologize. It's so much fun watching with you, so don't feel bad.

[@jeevesosiris]

You never have any need to apologise for not following this show. It wasn't until season 2 that everything kinda fell into place for me.

[@mcallisterwill]

It's probably been said before but Don Quixotes donkey is called Rocinante

[@LeeCarlson]

The key to understanding Don Quixote, the Lord of Lamancha, is to listen to Frank Sinatra sing "The Impossible Dream," which along with the song "Man of Lamancha" are the best-known pieces from that Broadway musical.

[@richardgoddard37]

You're still asking all the right questions.....

[@seekermel3079]

Love your analysis! You’re crushing it. Rest easy.

[@NeilTalks]

Appreciate it!

[@laplor]

I've watched the series twice and I'm in book 8 of the 9 book series. Don't hold your breath for "the big bad".

[@WUStLBear82]

I don't think it's a necklace; it looks like worry beads, prayer beads or a rosary. A number of cultures in the Mediterranean and Middle East have a practice of fingering beads as a focus for prayer, meditation, or contemplation, but in some countries it has become secular, a calming exercise while thinking-- fidget spinners were a more modern version. You see Miller fingering the beads on the shuttle; he could be thinking of Julie, or just cogitating and trying to pull together the clues bouncing in his head.

[@sacredlamb3021]

Can't wait for you next reaction! It's really nice to see you fall in love with the show. I used to watch it with friends and talking it through with different theories was very enjoyable. In a way I get to experience the same thing in your channel! Thank you

[@PsychoMuffinSDM]

I love hearing your predictions! I won't say if they are right or wrong though!

[@blackpaw29]

Someday you are going to skip that cheery greeting/clap and I will be devastated :( Makes my day, every time.

[@sallyshipwreck4315]

Doubtful! He already approached that possibility during Lost and decided to keep it!

[@blackpaw29]

@@sallyshipwreck4315 Phew!

[@danbadd]

Really enjoying your reactions. From here on in 90% episodes finish on a cliffhanger.. and I don't mean just for this season.

[@John_259]

The majority of people on Earth are unemployed and barely survive on "Basic" (Universal Basic Income), with little hope of ever improving their situation. We see this graphically in a later episode (I don't think this counts as a spoiler).

[@ariadnepyanfar1048]

Oh nono. The Basic in the Expanse is almost the opposite of a UBI, where you get regular money as a right of life. You choose what you want to spend a UBI on yourself. The Basic in the Expanse are goods mandated by the government, they choose what they think your basic needs are for life.

[@Yutani_Crayven]

You're more observant than most. And you know your film stuff & space stuff, too. Cut yourself some slack. :D

[@garethneller8239]

Loving your reactions to the expanse! The things you have picked up on by this point are outstanding and I cant wait to catch up and enjoy going through this with you. New sub😁

[@comanchy]

Another great reaction :) Some comments below shed some light so I wont repeat. I love all the questions. Exactly where I was watching The Expanse.

[@NeilTalks]

Thank you!

[@kyrosv1289]

Awesome reaction! Remember that this is based on novels so the development goes a bit slower than in other shows and a few quick important info is presented very quickly, let it take its time and use your second watch. Probably on your second watch while editing you picked up a lot more, and there are many comments here filling you in.

[@mmattson8947]

When I first watched the show, I didn't think Kenzo was a good spy, because he antagonized the crew by acting so smarmy and slimy. The crew wanted to hit him instead of help him. But now that I think about it, that is good for keeping his cover (that he is observing them, not stealing tech secrets). Best way to keep people from looking too closely at an undercover agent is to have them jump to the wrong conclusion and want to avoid him. When they aren't hitting him, the crew are staying away because he is annoying.

[@stu42000]

Bribes and other untraced transactions are sometimes by use of gambling chips. Most transactions are electronic and traceable. People need to find alternative ways of commerce to avoid being traced. Coming soon to a country near you.

[@rodentnolastname6612]

You're not failing. The show is trying to keep you in the dark as much as the characters are. You're going to get a bunch of answers soon. Of course those answers are going to lead to more questions... in a good way

[@theKonfusion]

next episode will give you 10 answers.. and 20 more questions

[@joshuaoehler5796]

Eros is the asteroid

[@mademedothis424]

Don Quijote absolutely is meant to be a comedy. It bothers me that they got that wrong. It also bothers me that they don't get the joke that Rocinante is not meant to be a heroic steed going to battle with a flawed but idealistic hero who likes battling lost causes. Rocinante is a bag of fleas and bones that can barely stand straight. Certainly not the cutting edge battleship from the show. Holden isn't particularly Quixotic, either.

[@benjaminhendrickson5435]

If you read Cervantes and only saw the comedy, then you completely missed the whole point of the work. He is saying that in such a debauched and debased world it takes a supremely foolish and naive person to still believe in courage, chivalry, and honor. It is a cruel joke. The utter futility of his quest is what makes Don Quixote such an incredibly tragic character.

[@mademedothis424]

@@benjaminhendrickson5435 I'm not saying you should "only" take out the comedy out of reading El Quijote, but if you think that's too dark I have terrible news about Spain's whole "picaresca" genre, because it gets sooo much darker still. But yeah, it's meant to be a dark comedy. And particularly in the first half poor old Alonso Quijano isn't meant to be particularly proud and honorable, even. The joke is that he's mostly self-agrandizing and oblivious. Not so much a superhero as a guy who really wants to be a superhero. Sometimes he's taken advantage of, or he hurts himself by accident, but a lot of the time his own weird aspirations end up harming Sancho, who is the actual character the author seems to like. And yeah, much is said of Sancho going from being more grounded to crying over his friend's deathbed wishing he could go back on the road, but that's in the sequel and there's even a darkly comedic meta reason for that (mostly people were publishing bootleg sequels and Cervantes wanted to put an end to the franchise, believe it or not). So yeah, there is depth to the characters and there is absolutely some acknowledgement that good old Alonso is endearing and charming and maybe that he means well, especially in the sequel, but there's also plenty of brutal dark comedy. Dulcinea has no idea who he is, she's a huge big lady who's not particularly pretty and mostly known for being butch. Rocinante isn't a heroic steed but a skinny old horse, Alonso Quijano isn't a superhero in a sad, cynical world as much as a self-aggrandizing, delusional goof and his heroics are as likely to help as hurt the normal people he comes across. Even Sancho being a lot smarter than he seems and actually sane and well meaning is a bit of a joke, considering he's also an uneducated peasant, often contrasted to Don Quijote, who is explicitly a middle class well-read but perpahs broke small time "hijodalgo". People like to overromantizice the book, but frankly, it's a much better read if you're on board with how darkly funny it gets than if you go in in search of a more Disney-esque "he's the last idealist in a pedestrian world" approach.

[@benjaminhendrickson5435]

@@mademedothis424 I think that I may have simply misunderstood your original reply. The way that I read it, you seemed to be asserting that Don Quijote (the work not the character) was simply a comedy when in fact it is a complex and layered work. I apologize if I was in error. That said, I agree that Holden is not a perfect stand-in for the Don (Holden certainly isn't a comedic character for instance), but I don't think that the writers intended him to be. I think that the Expanse writers wrote Holden as more of a response to the archetype. Just as I think that the show itself is intended to be a response to Miguel de Cervantes's work, not a mirror. I'm glad that you brought up Sancho Panza because I think that it is important to realize that the crew of the Canterbury are intended to be stand-ins for Sancho, as they (as well as the eventual crew of the Roci) are the ones who end up paying for Holden's "noble" choice to log the distress call. I also really like that the Expanse writers aren't explicit about spelling that point out as well. It gives the show subtlety and depth that one does not often find in modern writing.

[@dustinherk8124]

half of 30billion people are on UBI on Earth. its not a good thing here.

[@thontor]

Also it's not income, its assistance. It's very basic housing, very basic health care, very basic food, paper clothing from a vending machine. It's not a good life

[@dustinherk8124]

@@thontor calling universal basic income "assistance" is semantics in an arguing point. its money that wasnt earned, plain and simple. both in the expanse and in the real world.

[@thontor]

@@dustinherk8124 There is no universal basic income in The Expanse. Basic assistance is only for people who are unwilling or unable to find employment. There is nothing universal about it. People on basic get no income. They only get housing, food, clothing and medicine. They do not get money. People on Basic are subject to mandatory contraception and cannot legally have children, apart from a regular "baby lottery" allowing for a small number of births each year.

[@dustinherk8124]

@@thontor semantics. its still refered too as "basic" for short, to UBI. and physical money isnt issued, to avoid exploitation of the black market, and the unregistered. its "money equivelant" with higher restriction for use. kind of like the real world with CBDC's or central bank digital currencies. kind of like Nigeria, or Bahama's. its still money, just not the same kind of money, as physical traditional form.

[@thontor]

@@dustinherk8124 Basic Assistance has absolutely nothing to do with UBI. Food, housing, clothing, medical care, and forced contraceptives is not any kind of money. The similarities end with the word “basic”. As there is nothing “universal” or “income” about it.

[@AL-fl4jk]

I feel you’re giving up on this show - you really shouldn’t

[@pepsakdoek1029]

I assume you know episode 2 is in the wrong sequence in your playlist... Slightly irritating, but I'll just skip it now. :/

[@Yesquire0]

BTW, don't ever read Don Quixote. I've read well over 10,000 books in my lifetime, and Don Quixote is the worst book I've ever read. It was a required assignment for a college class, so I had to finish it so I could ace any test which included questions about it, but the effort may have scarred me for life. There is a group of reviewers who maintain that Cervantes' intent in writing it was to demonstrate for all budding authors how not to write a book. He succeeded in doing so magnificently, but I somehow failed to see the intellectual value in being shown how not to write a book.

[@BD-yl5mh]

Lost in translation maybe? I’ve never read it, but heard that there’s a lot of subtlety to the original Spanish. I also have seen a video summary of it in which it sounds good, but admittedly that’s the summary. So being able to just hear someone tell you about the events of the more interesting chapters and just breeze over the “there’s this whole subplot that goes on for ages that has nothing to do with anything so let’s just skip it” it sounded pretty interesting. One of the things I picked up from the summary was it sounded surprisingly relevant for a 500 year old text. It sounded almost like he was writing about toxic masculinity 5 centuries before anyone coined that term

[@mademedothis424]

@@BD-yl5mh Don Quijote is about as readable as Shakespeare, and contemporary, too. it's hard to parse the language and the sensibilities are different.

[@xtifr]

I read it when I was in my early teens, and I liked it. I _wasn't_ forced to read it, which probably helped, but I didn't find it particularly hard to read. I probably missed a lot of the finer details of the story (much as Holden did), but I still thought it was a fun and frequently funny story. I did realize (unlike Holden, I guess) that Quixote was a tragic nutjob rather than a noble hero, but that didn't affect my enjoyment.

[@PsychoMuffinSDM]

Given all the sensibilities that all reading is awesome, it is refreshing to see a negative take. Thinking back to my youth, I can think of a few books. I hated The Old Man and the Sea. I felt it was so boring. I remember not liking reading The Grapes of Wrath, but although I may not have liked it when I read it, I appreciate the economic lessons and historical context now. And then, I remember reading Where the Red Fern Grows very early in school, and not liking it, but then a couple grades later, re-reading it and sobbing, lol. Books are interesting, especially in the context of our lives (when we read and if we were forced) lol.

[@Yesquire0]

@@PsychoMuffinSDM Another one of my hates was "Two Years Before the Mast", but, now, upon reflection, I've realized that the reading of it perfectly embodied actually having to spend two years as a sailor working in miserable conditions.