The Most Complex Character in Science Fiction | Amos Burton from The Expanse

[@GenerationFilms]

Check out our breakdown of Alex Kamal: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZbZh4eAbLmkbc0

[@rahulahuja9230]

Brilliant analysis of Amos.

[@GeorgeAHunter]

Amos is my favorite character... Holden is the unattainable Paladin archetype that everyone says they want to be, from a socially acceptable view and not actually willing to practice the resolve and piety to achieve. To me, Amos runs some parallels to the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz. Amos denies he has a heart and a moral compass. He does indeed have both but has had to deny and suppress both to survive and maintain some mental balance. Amos attaches himself to those, yes loyal to him but more importantly to those he subconsciously knows to have rightness and strong convictions. Believing at a conscious level, it's better to have those persons with principles and righteousness to ‘guide’ him. He performs the necessary and unsavory tasks that will result in a just result. In some sense, I believe Amos takes solace in his flawed nature be at least used for honorable causes. Thinking he is unworthy of remediation. I think the undertones of his character are indeed moral, however, he will not trust in them or doesn't want to face them as he may have to question many of his actions.

[@timbradwell3205]

You are wrong about chewie he is a war veteran from the clone wars who was enslaved by the empire .the reason he follows around han is because he owed han a life debt because he freed him from slavery and overtime became very good friends if not brother to han who he knew if he did not keep an eye on would get into trouble. Also he is very technically savvy to starship mechanics and advanced tech in general every one assumes he a big dumb animal because he is big and hairy and his race can not speak basic.wookies maaped some of the earliest hyperspace lanes

[@pg5137]

@@timbradwell3205 and he also can speak Galactic Basic)

[@olstar18]

@@rahulahuja9230 Well of the series version. The books it quite clearly points out that he enjoys killing.

[@Korkuthan87778]

Dude looks extremely superficial at a glance, yet he is the deepest character in the show and my favorite character by a large margin.

[@toolegittoquit_001]

No, but it’s close

[@Korkuthan87778]

@@toolegittoquit_001 Well, each to their own.

[@thecocktailian2091]

He is the deepest character by a wide margin.

[@androkguz]

@@thecocktailian2091 I mean, even if you think he is deeper than Avasarala, you can't claim there's a wide margin.

[@TheIronRobin]

@@androkguz you are correct. Amos is deep; so is Chrisjen

[@thegrimcritic5494]

The way Wes Chatham played Amos being blind on Illus was what made me realize exactly how good of an actor he truly was. The way he sat in the dark, completely still and dejected, only to suddenly and viciously lash out like a cornered animal when Holden tries to touch him… honestly, seeing him act like that made me cry. For a character as brave and strong as Amos to suddenly be reduced to a shivering stray dog who lashes out from fear of attack speaks VOLUMES about the acting ability Wes Chatham brings to the table.

[@neutchain7838]

100% agree, he is an incredible actor and he was so perfectly casted for that character. Amos is a really nuanced person, not many people get to the point of finding this out about him but those who do can call themselves lucky becasue they probably gained a friend with extreme loyalty. If you are more interested in the character ( or the show in general ) and Wes they have a podcast called "Ty and that guy". His Co-host is Ty Franck, one of the writer of the show and the co-writer of the books ( James S. A. Corey is not a real person, its two dudes ). They go through every single episode of the show and talk about writing and acting in detail ( often with a guest, usually someone from the episode ) and a lot of behind the scenes stuff. They are movie nerds so they talk a lot about other stuff as well, I find it really entertaining and it shed light on what a cool dude Wes really is and what a great job he did with that character. Highly recommend it.

[@jimalbi]

Wes should have been offered many ggod roles after that.

[@cypherryand]

Watching interviews with the actor and you see how invested he was in the character as well as the process and friendships involved in the whole Expanse experience. I so hope they do a Movie trilogy of the last three books with the original cast.

[@grawham]

@@cypherryand I'd also take a show revival for another 3+ seasons!!

[@s.u.n.t.a.n6573]

“Alex cares about Mars. Naomi cares about the belt. Holden cares about coffee.”

[@rodrigobogado8756]

Holden is a wise man

[@jonathanbush6197]

Heh well he has a funny way of showing it. That poor machine...

[@MTerrance]

Holden is a romantic in the classical sense. He tends to see things in black and white, which is similar to Amos, but unlike Amos he has a moral compass. I think Amos is almost entirely transactional, living in the moment. He cares about others, but very selectively. While Holden agonizes over a decision and its consequences, Amos cuts to the conclusion and acts swiftly, yet he knows he could be wrong, which is why he follows Naomi's lead before he switches to Holden. He knows he is prone to act without reflection so he relies on others he trusts to think things through to a degree he does not. Great friend but a terrible enemy.

[@theblueelephant1350]

22:19

[@MMOplayeerr]

@@MTerrance Johnson: "We want the same thing you know. Were on the same team." Holden: "That's the thing with all you Earth, Mars, the Belt, the OPA. It's all bullshit. There shouldn't be any teams." Johnson: "That's a beautiful dream son. And I hope I'm around to see it come true. But in this world that we live in, in order to survive, you have to pick a side." You could argue He sees in black and white with this comment, but I say exactly the opposite. Its those other teams seeing black and white. It us against them. Its always us against them. Holden is naive idealist and thats not what seeing black and white is. Where, I could say He sees in black and white is that, He might not want to realize that Its just isnt that easy for teams to not exist and that as Johnson says, sometimes You have to pick a side.

[@GorsuchCody]

Murtry “someday you and I are going to end up bloody” Amos “how bout now? I’m free right now”

[@nickiphillips7347]

A line delivered perfectly. The acceptance of an invitation to fight, maybe to the end. A multi-dimensional line, breathless anticipation, as any big cat anticipates his kill with pleasure, the disguise of the quiet civility in his voice, the flash of danger, hidden but emerging, the joy of the decision to let go and fight. A line delivered perfectly.

[@Kyle-sr6jm]

Amos hates waiting for violence. He is a rip-the-bandaid-NOW kind of guy.

[@davewade30]

Probably my favorite line so far.

[@MrR3set]

@@Kyle-sr6jm what this guy said. Remember those belter extortionating the passangers in the ship to Luna.

[@russellmarra8520]

@@davewade30 A good line to be sure, but my favorite was Avasarala to her spy, "When you mysteriously disappear, your body will never be found..."

[@Lady_highrock]

that look that Amos gave Prax when he told Mei to go with his best friend in the whole world. That was small but that moment... that's why I love the expanse

[@GenerationFilms]

😭I belive someone was cutting onions during that scene.

[@otakarbeinhauer]

And the look he gave Mei when she said "Hi." to him...

[@scottlampe70]

That is my favourite scene in the entire series.

[@goji059]

if it came to it an hour later, Amos would put him down

[@_non_zero_sum_game8958]

@@otakarbeinhauer i was thinking the same thing. maybe i'm looking into it a little bit too much, but i saw it as a look conveying gravity, humility, graciousness, and little bit of fear, the fear you get when someone trusts you with their child.

[@MrAndyBearJr]

The reaction that Amos showed when Prax told his daughter that Amos was his best friend was subtle, but spoke volumes in that moment. He realized more than with any other of his shipmates, that Prax saw past the rough exterior, and valued him as a personality, and not just for his usefulness to the crew. For a brief moment, he saw the chance for self redemption that he desperately needed. That was possibly the most significant emotional event in his life since losing his mother.

[@h3llo0cto]

OMG, I"m not a cryer, but that scene came sooooo close to bringing tears to my eyes. I might have had to pause the show for a minute or two. Amos is the BEST character. I might argue that Amos is the moral center of the crew...........

[@KhordLizardMage]

@@h3llo0cto I'm always torn between Avasarala and Amos as the best characters on the show.

[@FlagCutie]

Yup, that moment always makes me cry.

[@Frax1006]

And I'm crying again watching it here...

[@GenerationFilms]

*Amos says Prax is his best friend in the whole world* Me: I'm not crying, you're crying.

[@Kitkat-986]

It takes some serious writing talent to make a character like Amos. They are deeply flawed, but their flaws are also part of what makes them such a useful member of the team. They are the team muscle, the badass and the fighter, yet it's implied that their willingness to kill without second thought comes from a lifetime of trauma that made them who they are. To see Amos depend on Naomi as his moral compass only to have his trust in her broken was heartbreaking, yet also helped him grow as a character when he formed his connection to the botanist, helping him with his mission to find his missing daughter, and pulling triggers that his newfound friend just couldn't. All that, and they occasionally deliver a genuine laugh.

[@Giarcnek]

Fuck Yes!...Well done Ben!

[@maggnus87]

My all time favourite scifi character, and i feel you did him justice. looking forward to see your take on the next season. kind of insulted you called chewbacca an animal incapable of human things though, i am quite sure chewie is a good pilot and has a good vocabulary. in his language that is.

[@seriousmaran9414]

Amos is the one you want looking out for your back of you ever get into danger. He is not bad, he is willing to use violence, but that isn't everything. He seems to be trying, in his own way, to save people and punish the guilty. He cares about people who is in need. In his way he's the superhero, at least as much as Holden. He is the sort of person who would deal with a criminal politician, not just make excuses or betray his own country.

[@johncnorris]

American Ben and Amos would make a great couple... Couple of best friends, I mean.

[@PeBoVision]

The look on Amos' face when he is referred to as Prax's best friend to May, always brings a tear to my eye. Without a word, Wes Chatham spoke volumes. It's why no one else could play Amos Burton.

[@adeosinowo3197]

Spot on mate, that small scene moved me the most & ever since i've being trying to find out about the actor Wes Chatham. To this day i cant imagine any other actor pastor present playing Amus as well as Chatham does.

[@roxstar5088]

And also, at the beginning of the next season when he gets interviewed. He refers to Prax back as his best friend when he is asked what a Prax Table is.

[@eldennub]

Wes Chatham is pretty passionate and knowledgeable about sci fi. When listening to his podcast, you can tell he did his homework for the expanse.

[@russellmarra8520]

@@adeosinowo3197 " To this day i cant imagine any other actor pastor present playing Amos as well as Chatham does." Sure they could. How about Wally Cox? Or Andy Divine? lol

[@kevinbendall9119]

In one of the publicity Comic con videos Wes Chatham said that he actually spoke with a psychologist about how a person with Amos' personality sees the world. Being a child that grew up seeing so much horror and injustice made him blind in a sense to the horror of violence and abuse. Amos knows he's blind, so looks to Naomi and Holden as his guide to moral behavior. This also explains his connection to "his best friend in the whole world", an ordinary guy who has stepped into Amos' world through no fault of his own, and is doing his best to cope with it. Amos is shielding him from the worst of it, while helping him achieve his goal. And saving a child from the horrors is something Amos knows is "good".

[@GenerationFilms]

Awesome input. Part of my point is that Amos is able to commit violence and acts we'd consider immoral becuase he's so desensitized to violence. He's a good natured person who was nurtured in an evil environment.

[@KirillTheBeast]

@@GenerationFilms Reading Tiamat's Wrath confirms both this and the "I was born to be the last man standing" quote.

[@shanehebert396]

From other Cons, Amos was discussed. Another good description is that he is a sociopath. He understands that he is broken but wants to be "good". To achieve this, he identifies someone that he trusts and who he thinks has a good moral compass and does what they say (he does what Naomi says, for example) and imitates what he thinks they would do. He's basically adrift morally and finding/following a guide.

[@cheeseguy3412]

@@GenerationFilms Amos looks to others for a surrogate conscience - He's a being of violence, and he knows that he's been irreversibly damaged - He literally cannot tell right from wrong in many cases, and he knows that, too. He looks to others that have a strong moral and ethical drive, or at least those who he thinks have those things. He seems to determine this, by watching others struggle against their own self interest - whoever can make a *selfless* decision that come at personal costs in order to enrich others - he gravitates towards them, and latches on. Selfish vs Selfless are things Amos understands intimately - but he doesn't comprehend how to get from point A to point B without making things worse. Amos doesn't know WHY those decisions are moral, and ethical - he can't feel it, but he knows it when he sees it, and he shapes his own reactions based on factors exclusively external to himself, at least in most cases. In the books - we can see this when he's separated from those he's latched onto (Late, late book spoilers, so avoiding it here.) In terms of his 'fear of imprisonment' - its more a fear of the loss of self that comes from not having access to those he's been using as moral and ethical guides. He may not feel now, but he did when he was a child - and the *memory* of that fear is what torments him, drives him to a fear reaction - he hates feeling powerless, he hates becoming the person his childhood forced him to become - and he would rather die than face that loss of self, or those memories. Amos knows what he is, and he knows what he becomes in the absence of conscience - Without access to Naomi, and later Holden, he becomes a monster the likes of which he hasn't known since he was a child, and he hates *that* more than anything else. He's trapped in amoral survival mode without a conscience, and he doesn't know how to be anything more. In his mind, he's doing Good - *but only* as long as he's accomplishing what tasks Naomi and Holden tell him to - if he does that, he's safe - he can avoid doing to others, what was done to him. Amos is a cunning, calculating, intelligent monster - but he knows he is, and he wants to be better, he just can't do so alone. In the end, what Amos fears more than anything, or anyone else - is himself, and what he'll do to others without a guide. To reverse the common cliche, he doesn't fear fear... he fears the lack of it, and the harm he knows he can do without it. Amos is a contradiction - He's a good man that only knows violence. He's a selfless man that only knows greed, and he counts on those he follows to show him how to be better.

[@sergeantpete6295]

@@cheeseguy3412 I'm not Amos. I didn't grow up "that fucked up", but I spent my young adult life pretty screwed up. Don't discount his ability to learn from his mentors or even just figure shit out on his own. People, even damaged people like Amos, aren't robots. We learn and adapt

[@zercules9156]

i love how the Expanse timeline is denoted by Amos's beard length

[@Connor.SG-1Ring]

Amos: "I am that guy."

[@abbaszaidi8371]

Connor Kent! “Thank you@ 👊

[@hellfish2309]

Ilim Garak: “First”

[@jedijc5411]

Walking Dead: If Daryl Dies.. We Riot! The Expanse: If Amos Dies...................... WE "ALL" Become........ That Guy!

[@therunningcow4202]

Easily his best quote so far

[@IsaiahAmos017]

I really am Amos

[@dalemurray4083]

I see Amos as a totally rational realist, His attitude towards reality is "Rocks are hard, water is wet, and moral angst or emotions wont change that". It's not that that he doesn't have the emotions, he just doesn't often let them affect his choices. He always chooses the most efficient option with the best odds of success and doesn't factor in things that are just inside of people's heads. He comes from the jungle so his reality is built on the laws of the jungle. If a solution requires violence he uses violence in ample measure and as efficiently as possible. I don't see him as being motivated by anger except when something involves the abuse of children, otherwise he uses rage to generate adrenaline when he is going to need it, the way athletes do. Here I'm guessing, but i would think that his dependence on Naomi was because, after escaping from the incredibly dangerous jungle he came from , to the relatively civil environment of the belt, he quickly realized that his assessment of situations and his calculation of necessary responses were not fitted to the new environment. So he found someone who seemed to be more fitted to that environment and let her handle those judgments and decisions, which was the most rational and realistic option available to him. I don't see him as a psychopath, he seems more like a feral child, who is learning belatedly in adulthood how to form attachments and loyalties, which should have happened in early childhood and therefore will never be the same. If he was a psychopath he would have e stolen every thing of value from the ship or maybe even the ship itself, sold it, and disappeared into the crowd as soon as possible.

[@harryfloros8796]

In book 5 his childhood friend Erich from Baltimore finds himself in exactly the same place, his only life experience as a gang boss in Baltimore is useless to him in space. That life is over and there’s no going back. Amos is an expert out here and he isn’t. He offers to defer to Amos in all things.

[@cameroncross20]

His interactions with Peaches don't line up with being a realist. In that case, I think he was following the path shown to him by his adopted mother when she took him under her wing. Now he is taking Peaches under his wing, because of how lost and broken she was, and is trying to act out the part of protector. Still, as she pointed out after he killed the guy in the cabin, his choices and actions aren't one a normal person would make which was why he was so desperate to get back to Holden and Naomi. I still see him as a sociopath and that makes him more interesting to watch. As a result, he has countless possible actions and interactions going forward since he is essential capable of doing anything (acts of extreme sacrifice and kindness or cold unflinching cruelty).

[@cameroncross20]

@Everything Soup Thankfully that is undoubtedly true

[@eyooffiong]

I mostly agree with that except that there are levels to psychopathy, lols.

[@oyvey6869]

Well said. He didn't trust himself and didn't want the responsibility of morality. When he told Holden that Holden always tries to do the right thing it becomes clear. He want to outsource morality knowing he, Amos, is doing the right thing bc it's to help Holden. So when Holden enters a gray area (eg disabling the torpedo abt to kill Inaro) it's very disruptive to Amos.

[@Kitkat-986]

Amos casually eats a can of chicken that he minutes previously used to bash the brains in of a guy who was refusing to help them.

[@reginaldinoenchillada3513]

Is there a better way to demonstrate dominance? "I like chicken." Roma. So, that's what Amos took. Probably wasn't even that hungry.

[@tSp289]

Probably dented the can. Wouldn't want it to spoil now, would you?

[@RCAvhstape]

Amos is really just big fuzzy teddy bear, someone needs to give him a hug. Just, not me, you know, someone else. You do it.

[@rohesilmnelohe]

Fans call him "murder snuggles" So yeah

[@naynay3710]

We can all give him a hug.

[@frans8861]

@@naynay3710 yeah he can't kill us all. Can he ?

[@naynay3710]

@@frans8861 Dat's right!!!

[@electrorage4158]

@@frans8861 We were alive when he left the room

[@L0stEngineer]

"You must think I'm pretty stupid, don't you? I mean, you're right. I can take a core apart and put it back together with my eyes closed. But ask me whether or not I should rip your helmet off and kick you off this bucket, and I couldn't give you a reason why I should or shouldn't". -Amos This is definitely a guy who you don't want to screw up his Latte macchiato order.

[@GenerationFilms]

Haha for sure.

[@MikemfPanik]

The last part of the quote speaks volumes as to who Amos is: "...Except Naomi wouldn't like it". Proves everything Ben said about his loyalty to those who treat him as a human instead of as a monster

[@Krahazik]

@@MikemfPanik Later Holden gets added to that list. Would Naomi or Holden like it or not. They become his moral cumpas.

[@MatchBookNotes]

He would kick you out of airlock for calling it a latte macchiato

[@jaffarebellion292]

And when he says "No anchovies", there better not be anchovies within five city blocks of that pizza.

[@BlackLionRampant]

I totally love how he's described in the third book by Anna (the pastor lady). "Good-hearted unrepentant killers were not something she'd had to fit into her worldview before this, and she wasn't sure how it would work. But now she'd have to try."

[@martienvandenberg5181]

His character arc in the series so far is great, his character arc in the book's (so far) is off the charts.

[@anydaynow01]

I know right, just wait until the folks who haven't read the books see how he and Peaches get along, talk about another layer!

[@Miclpea]

How about Tiamat’s Wrath? Just wow!

Oh yeah, last book was absolutely incredible... I just found out I have no words lol

[@artdawggy]

I like Amos in the series much better. I feel he has been given more depth in the series. Oh, and the Chewbacca comment was way out of line man!

[@BeCurieUs]

@ yall are making me want to go back and reread it all.

[@Darkwingdave5]

"We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." Winston Churchill

[@SirMarshalHaig]

"My own mother thought I was a monster...she was right of course, but it still hurt."

[@merlyworm]

Azula quote of course... But Amos ISNT a monster.

[@Roma-rusk]

Ayyyy

[@podunk9798]

"Who is he daddy?" "This is Amos, he is my best friend in the whole world. He helped me find you." I think Wes Chatham's portrayal of Amos is underrated (though it was mentioned in this video) The look on his face when that statement is made. Its so subtle, and that scene makes me tear up every time I see it. This show is so good.

[@GenerationFilms]

I want to highlight a comment in the replies down below from Robert Winslade: "Amos has a simplistic world view ("there are people you protect, people you follow, and people you kill), but there are complex reasons why he is that way, then throw in the fact that he is very aware that his way of seeing the world is too simple, and wants to try to be a better person and he becomes far more complex than his worldview would suggest" I think this really nails it. There are characters who are simple-minded and their actions reflect that and there are people who are complicated and act in a complicated way. The reason Amos is especially complex is that his mind and thoughts are complicated but his behaviors are simple and rather predictable. He is a complicated person who chooses to be simple. That's unique.

[@seriousmaran9414]

He also tends to react in a simple and direct way, which can result in a correct or wrong action.

[@V.B.Squire]

I think hes more like han than chewie

[@johnwang9914]

He has a need for simplicity to rationalize actions in his past and the cruelty he has suffered. He follows because he needs to have someone to trust and follow.

[@notmyrealname7738]

I never found reading the books that amos 'wanted' to change in anyway, He simply accepted who he was, and who everyone else was. If anything it seems he lacks empathy, and fails to understand why people act one way but think another. For him the world is black and white, where as for Holden its several shades of grey. Amos is by far the most Honest of all the character in the series, he rarely lies or misleads anyone, he simply acts in what he thinks is the right thing to do, and doesnt care what others feel about it.

[@drbuckley1]

@@notmyrealname7738 I think Amos was altered as a child to be fearless and devoid of empathy. He knows this and inquired whether his condition could be reversed. He was told that his psychological modification cannot be reversed.

[@dannyells]

He’s done so well in the show- he’s also AMAZING in the books. The extent of his love and loyalty- especially to Holden, is intense. Even death doesn’t keep him from trying to protect his captain. Also, his love for Peaches and Tiny? He’s a big pit bull, protecting everyone he deems worthy.

[@tiredlocke]

"Chewbacca relies on Han Solo because he's an animal. He doesn't have the mental faculties to quite analyze the world around him to the level of humans." Whoa, whoa. What kind of Imperial racist propaganda is that?

[@DopamineKata]

heh I got to that part and stopped the video. If he can't even get Chewbacca correct how is he going to have insight on Amos?

[@The91strecon]

Guys. It’s a joke. If you’ve never watched generation tech, they have a running joke that they’re pro human and anti alien. Watch any of their district 9 videos for more.

"let the wookie win" - Obi wan said this to R2, when they played that holochess. That has a parallel in one of the sequels, where Chewie beats some of the new characters multiple times. He was not the smart one in episode 4.

[@nougan_tanker]

@@DopamineKata Yeah, I also stopped the video there with disdain. But decided to look at the comment and see if I'm the only one or if there is a reason for this harsh comment on Chewbacca. TwistrateMedia below mentioned it's a running joke, that sorta explains it, but they should add some onscreen comment/call-out to give new/in-frequent viewer of the channel some context/reference to such running joke.

[@DavidKAnderson]

@@DopamineKata Same...with clicking "don't recommend this channel" next. Clueless...

[@mikedrop4421]

Seeing his growth in season 5 was amazing. Hearing him say that Jim would never have greenlit one of his plans and realizing that he must have made a mistake then and he needed to get back to the roci was heart tugging.

[@crashstudi0s]

If given the chance, Alex would throw everything to get Mars terraformed and fully habitable, Naomi would do the same(has done) for the belt, and Holden would love to be left alone in some coffee fields. But Amos only wants to be free with those he cares about

[@JamesHardaker]

farscape also gave all of its characters a reason not to be there and yet they stayed. it makes their bond feel more important. Unlikely friends has got to be one of the best plot devices ever

[@CHMichael]

Amos likes to take care / protect someone that deserves it in his own way. You are right - moderator not so much.

[@Uniquemand]

I love Amos. He's an "anti-hero", and that's what makes the Expanse so great. The characters aren't standard types. They are people. This was a great breakdown, thanks!

[@SgtAntenor]

I think it really helps is that Wes Chatham's favorite character from the books (he was a fan before auditioning if I remember correctly) was Amos, and because of that he has put even more care and attention into his portrail of Amos. Wes even went and talked with therapists and such to understand how someone that had lived Amos's life would act and present themselves. If you've not seen it watch the two interviews he's done with Adam Savage on Tested they are great.

[@GenerationFilms]

Actors who play tough guy characters like that never get enough credit. Wes can really act! Dude has a bright future.

[@drbuckley1]

@@GenerationFilms Wes needs to demonstrate his acting range. The person seems to have a good sense of humor, so maybe a RomCom would be a good next career move. He could carry a picture.

[@melcca8178]

There are so many “YESS” moments with Amos. He does the things that need to be done in those stressful situations. And that’s so satisfying to watch. I hope someone gets what I mean :)

[@UncleMikeDrop]

Wendy's drive-thru operator: Can I take your order? Amos; Now you see, I'm a bull Naomi and Holden are farmers and sometimes, farmers gotta make beef Drive-thru operator: OK so that's one burger.

[@jackburtonstwin]

Wes Chathem and the writers imbue Amos with a level of pathos far beyond standard science fiction fayre. Wes completely inhabits the character of Amos. He is a fine character actor as, I understand, he could not be further from the character he is portraying in The Expanse.

[@MaciejBogdanStepien]

Alex cares about Mars Naomi cares about the Belt Holden cares about COFFEE Amos cares about the Rocinante a perfect family. :)

[@michelleb.9402]

Amos is my favorite character on the Expanse. I get that Holden is supposed to be the star, but I see Amos as being more heroic. He fights all the dangers they all fight, but he also fights against his own darker aspects of his nature. He chooses to be good and on the side of righteousness. It doesn't come automatically to him. Confession: I haven't watched the video yet, but I'm going to watch it now.

[@v44n7]

Holden Is my fav character because he Is supposed to be the Star. But he doesnt want to AND doesnt know how to deal with that. I was so suprise about all characters in the show. Miller was something else for sure

[@swaghauler8334]

"How would you know what it's like to walk around in [high heels]?" "I didn't always work in space."

[@gnomeandgarden6157]

*pumps

[@swaghauler8334]

@@gnomeandgarden6157 Some people (especially non-English speakers) don't know what "pumps" are.

[@hendrsb33]

My favorite Amos quote!

[@hymanocohann2698]

The fact that they used the term pumps added whole level of sophistication to the scene.

[@Livewire1119]

Which actually makes sense in context if he grew up in a brothel. I could see a young boy wondering what made those shoes so special...

[@justinstoll4955]

I love the bromance between Amos and Holden. The the ying and yang that has kept them alive.

[@mikecarson8601]

I really loved his reaction to Anna in season 3. He seemed interested in her tending to the dead even though he didn’t understand it. The story arc for Amos continues to evolve and he becomes more human every season. Wes acted the hell out of season 4. Prepare for more top notch acting in season 5.

[@GenerationFilms]

That scene with him and Anna was a last minute cut from my script. Definitely a revealing moment!

[@rinehardt6837]

Amos had one of the best lines I've ever heard in a show. When he says to prax look I'm all for killing who needs killing but it ain't going to make you feel better. It was so profound in the way that Amos knows he's killed people many times before and it never took away the pain of the hurt. Excellent character excellently acted

[@donovan3476]

*Amos:* The friend we would all love to have, the enemy we would all fear. He is that guy.

[@lloydkeith3061]

Sounds like a US marine,... no greater friend, no worse enemy.

[@bw040690]

"I am that guy".

[@shelldie8523]

​@@lloydkeith3061the afghans, the Syrians, the Iraqis, etc disagree.

[@_non_zero_sum_game8958]

there's a line in The Churn episode where mathew says "when you got old enough, the johns didn't want you," which alludes to amos being a victem of child sexual abuse. it goes a long way to getting the audience to understand the damage that has been afflicted on him. it helps you understand, why he has that self defense mechanism of not trusting others also. Anway wonderful vid!

[@HalNordmann]

Simply put, Amos is That Guy.

[@noahcederlund7660]

Hal Nordmann great scene and he is definitely that guy

[@SWells679]

IDK. He seems kinda like a trigger happy whack-job.

[@Vasharan]

Like Zaphod!

[@ThatOneGuy-iv9sn]

I’m that guy

[@lazaruslong697]

@@SWells679 Did you even watch the video? Or the show for that matter? :D

[@undergrounddojokeyboardcag701]

There's one really good character trait that this video did not mention. He is really, super attracted to Chrisjen Avasarala. Its a small detail, but it says a lot about how much the writers/James, considered this man's psychology.

[@TheNameCannotBeFound]

I don’t blame him! She’s got that charisma and queen attitude. Damn respectable!

[@TyroneSayWTF]

Gotta admit; Amos is the character on The Expanse that I most enjoy watching. He's just dripping with cool. And you just know that at some time during an episode, he's gonna say something funny, off-the-wall or just memorable.

[@pramienjager2103]

I honestly cannot believe how well written Amos is. I feel as though only someone who suffered in that way could really understand and write a person realistically.

[@Shogun459]

or to act it.

[@jedijc5411]

Walking Dead: If Daryl Dies.. We Riot! The Expanse: If Amos Dies...................... WE "ALL" Become........ That Guy!

[@ziv_tendoora]

With seasons 5 and 6 completed this deserves an update. Especially his interaction with Peaches.

[@MikemfPanik]

“We all leave business unfinished. That’s what dying is.” -Murder Snuggles

[@leerman22]

I hope for the day we can clone our brains data like a hard drive partition as an heir to finish that business. And people better not commit suicide right after their brain scan, that's not how it works.

[@khartog01]

Murder Snuggles? Can I use that? It's great.

[@AldjinnTV]

@@khartog01 google it bro, nothing new :)

[@ZeroMod]

"I'm gonna want that back" Amos is a force of nature ! The scene with Dr Strickland was a standout character defining moment,

[@lonestoner8297]

I am a bad guy... But that does not mean, I'm a BAD guy.

[@brothersgt.grauwolff6716]

Sometimes what the world needs is a Monster

[@BaconBeerBullets]

"You lost me"

[@martinxy1291]

“Alex cares about Mars. Naomi cares about the belt. Holden cares about coffee.” Earth: Bruh

[@WoodHughes]

This is one of the best character analysis I’ve ever seen. Well done!

[@GenerationFilms]

Thank you sir!

[@steriopticon2687]

Well, there was that Wookophobe moment... but very good besides that.

[@LadyNikitaShark]

I relate to Amos in the sense that I was diagnose at young age with a mental disorder that makes me act a lot like Amos. Having someone else care for us, even with little things, when so much bad things and bad people are around you, is replayed with extreme loyalty. Doing bad/dangerous things that the normal you would do, a part of your mind says no, another part says yes, you know you shouldt but you do it anyways with out remorse. You do what most be done, even if what must be done is only in your mind.

[@GenerationFilms]

Thank you for your insight and sharing your connection to the character!

[@carsoncasmirri3874]

Amos is Chewbacca if Chewbacca had been raised by Trandoshans

[@Karou812]

Amos is Chewbacca if Chewbacca could say more than "WRRRRRRRRRR"

[@Outworlder]

@@Karou812 Your own fault for not speaking his language. Chewie has plenty to say.

[@axebearer]

@@Outworlder So people claim, but I haven't seen any evidence that they're not just projecting. It's a full on Lassie situation.

[@Outworlder]

@@axebearer Doesn't that go for any foreign language then? "I've seen no evidence, so they can't speak". Chewie clearly speaks - and understands when spoken to. Also, Chewie is a starship mechanic and can repair droids. How do you do that without language?

[@Mach1Greeble]

@@Outworlder and a war hero of three wars.

[@jrddoubleu514]

Amos is a high-functioning sociopath. He has achieved consciousness, and self-awareness, and uses coginitive principle to control and manage his disorder.

[@gregkun1]

I agree it's hard to play a chaotic neutral character and pull it off so well. Where judging people by their actions towards one's self, rather than letting outside situations and forced moral hesitations to get in the way of what is most important to one's self. To be so lucky have such a good friend like that.

[@russellmarra8520]

Chaotic neutral. absolutely. I hadn't thought of that. Perfect.

[@BrBill]

@@russellmarra8520 And the character arc is CN --> Chaotic Good

[@kyliebrowne5111]

Haven't loved a character so much in a hot minute... Amos is definitely '' THAT GUY .''

[@nigelyorkshiremanwadeley6263]

Mate, that has to be one of the best character analyses I've ever seen. Well done Ben for bringing a ton more understanding to a brilliant and brilliantly portrayed character.

[@gateauxq4604]

Small point that was missed-Baltimore didn’t have any kind of sea walls installed so the city slowly flooded as global warming took its course. Maybe a bit further inland there are some nicer places but theres a reason why the city is so full of undocumented people (including Amos)-its mostly for cops’ target practice and the criminals are generally left to rule the town. Its is a try post-apocalyptic hellscape. I know it’ never happen but Wes should get at least a Golden Globe. He’s beyond perfect in the role.

[@garymcleod6260]

I still just can't get over the fact that Amos's real name is Timothy.

[@dstarling61]

It gets better than that, he sometimes goes by "Timmy".

[@davenunyabusiness4893]

@@dstarling61 Tiamat's Wrath is one of the best books of the series.

[@SideTracked1]

@@davenunyabusiness4893 Agreed, can't wait for book 9.

[@Lala-rz2ft]

You should read the books. He is a lot more complex and his early life is just really fucked up. He is damaged but not broken and he does have a code but he knows his personal code does not always mean he will do the “right” thing like Holden’s personal code will. He will protect his tribe any way he can and anyone outside his tribe can be damned to hell. He does not harm children and has empathy for prostitutes because of his own childhood. He also cares for Peaches in a platonic way.

[@russellmarra8520]

@@Lala-rz2ft "Don't get me wrong; I'd do her if she'd let me..."

[@r4pids]

Amos, in the whole series, never threw the first punch....

[@spacecowboy1438]

Amos is definitely the most real character I've seen in televised fiction. I think the character really resonates with the sheepdog personalities.

[@johnw9141]

Most people won't get the sheepdog quote but it is fitting with a slight difference where he seems to look for the fight rather than as a reaction but his past seems to have shaped it.

[@h3llo0cto]

I'm so glad you did this video. Not only is the character portrayed with such depth and subtlety, but the actor Wes Chatham was so perfectly cast, written, and directed. The writers give his character a lot of depth, but he really does a lot of work with what they've given him. He is an incredibly talented actor and I really can't get over missing him. Absolutely, without question or qualm, my favorite character on the show. Also, while reading the books, all I can picture is Amos with his face, voice, and body language. Favs, favs, favs, favs!!!

[@velocitor3792]

Amos has the funniest line in the series: Avasarala: Don't call me [Chrissy]; I'm a Member of Parliament, not your favorite stripper. Amos: You could be both.

[@RoninX33]

Was not Chewy an engineer/mechanic and pilot. Don't think Chewy was a mindless animal.

[@justaguy2770]

Exactly the point I was gonna make. He clung to Hang because of a life debt not because he was a animal who cannot make choices.

[@CCISolitude]

This. I had to come way too far down for this comment. Calling Chewie "just an animal" massively underplays the character and does him a disservice.

[@Mach1Greeble]

@@CCISolitude JUSTICE FOR CHEWIE!

[@leomartinez9764]

Only a savaged a idiot or a animal would choose to be in a life dept. Chewie to me was just a annoying cling on attached to Han.

[@delraydad7516]

Agree with this so much and the replies. Especially disappointed I have to scroll so far to see this issue. No way was Chewy a mindless animal. Since the OP has posted comments in this thread but ignored the comment on this subject, I'm almost sure he made that reference to start a debate. No way he's this knowledgeable about Sci-Fi and thinks Chewy is a mindless animal.

[@jimalbi]

The irony is that Wes Chatam is such a joyfull, enthousiastic, friendly and funny guy.

[@shelldie8523]

Dunno, never met the guy

[@jugglerjim01]

He's my favourite character from the books, portrayed near perfectly in the TV series by Wes Chatham 😎

[@johnecoapollo7]

I am rewatching the show and I love how Amos knows how to handle and support all of the crew. He says exactly what each character needs to hear at their worst.

[@nicolaiveliki1409]

Amos and Miller are my favorite characters in The Expanse

[@jkdubya85]

"The Baltimore nobody sees is awash in poverty and crime..." You say this like you live in a world where The Wire doesn't exist. Great video all the same. Amos is the best.

[@badmaninc.536]

Before The Wire there was Homicide: Life on the Streets... another excellent show, also set in Baltimore.

[@jeffanon1772]

​@@badmaninc.536 both based on David Simon's awesome non-fiction book...

[@commanderkruge]

I didn't notice the debth of Amos at first and it might even be something the makers wanted. For me the BIG "Aha!"-Moment was, when he first prevented the guy to kill the kidnapper of his daughter with the explanation "Don't do that, it will take you to a place you'll never be able to get back from." And when the guy was gone he's like "*I* however am in this place anyways, so...". That was the moment where I really got that Amos is in a dark place but has a strong sense of morality and does a lot to prevent others to go through the kind of shit he went through himself.

[@dan1273]

Right? That was such a great moment in the series. made me want to read the books. "I AM that guy."

[@d0rp]

The show is getting to the point in the story in the books that we really learned a lot about Amos and his back-story, so we'll probably see a lot more of that in the show as well.

[@JoshuaKoslakiewicz]

@@d0rp With how theyve incorporated the novellas in to the show I would guess well see a lot of stuff from "The Churn" in the next season

[@jameskennedy1034]

This is by far one of the greatest shows I have ever watched. So much character development and growth it's mind-boggling the show is beautifully done

[@capybarasoncomputers]

More with these expanse episodes, please talk about the ring gates effect on humanity.... Maybe our humanity if we were to find them in real life.

[@ivanfreely6366]

The impact on humanity would run along similar lines to the nations / players of the Expanse.

[@d0rp]

The books do a pretty good job of exploring that, so I think it would be hard to do a video on that with out being spoiler-y for the show.

[@melsilva9158]

I haven't watched an episode of the Expanse since last December and seeing this video brought back a flood of emotions and demonstrates why this is one of if not the best series I've ever watched. Well done video: Articulate, on point without meandering down a bunch of dead-end alleyways. Well done sir.

[@andyf4292]

amos hasnt got a conscience,,, he sees others have one, so he outsourced it

[@EntropyEngine]

Read the books if you haven't, you are right.

[@Phoenix-214]

I'd say he has a conscience, it's just so badly mangled by his life experiences that he can't rely on it anymore. If he had absolutely no conscience whatsoever, he'd have ended up like Cortázar instead.

[@danp6897]

@@Phoenix-214, bingo

[@tinncan]

I would love to say he is learning humanity from them but I didn't read the books so I can only be disappointed...

[@VayaKahvi]

The way I see it, if you look at the inside of Amos' head like this is Inside Out, the spot on the console where the moral compass should be is empty and has a post-it note taped in that reads "NEVER HURT KIDS"

[@podunk9798]

Holden: "At least I can say I bested you in a fight" Amos: "You can SAY whatever you want."

[@ryanarmstrong3113]

The actor who plays Amos really needs to watch this, absolutely in depth and amazing. I bet he would beam with pride.

[@KenS1267]

Left out the Amos knows how to walk in heels. Also I'm recently returned from the future, if you thought 2020 was bad I have news for you, and you should know that Amos and Clarissa Mao become an item (It might be that I also have read these things called novels).

[@andrejspecht8217]

I read it too. They seem to have a lovely relationship of two people who can kill each other in a blink of eye.

[@toolegittoquit_001]

‘Without blinking an eye ...’

[@hellishgrin4604]

By far my favorite character, but I also like the idea that he's just this reserved, stoic jack sparrow. Just sort of gets to the right point in his own way with his own twists and is seemingly unpredictable, whilst appearing to have the most thought out actions.

[@doonhkahn]

I feel your analysis is on point. Amos has been my favorite character from watching the first episode. The Expanse is very well written, but all of the actors' portrayals of their respective characters is spot on. This makes it, imho, the pinnacle of excellent sci-fi.

[@khartog01]

Amos is that dnd character with low charisma but always succeeds his persuasion checks.

[@mikec1341]

I binge watched the Expanse this week and your comments on Amos were perfect. I kept expecting him to turn out like "Jane" on "Firefly," but this character was so much deeper. I thought I would dislike him but in the end he was the heart of the show.

[@rodrigobogado8756]

2:59 "Chewbacca is an animal" *Angry wookie noises

[@axlm.808]

I think the one and only guy who said that in front of a wookie was ripped in half just after

[@TheSp0kesman]

Chewy is highly intelligent, capable of fixing complicated machines. He just doesn’t have vocal cords capable of speaking Basic.

[@t3ripley722]

Yeah this made me question the validity of everything said after.

[@adaeptzulander2928]

Only the Zoomers think Chewie is an animal instead of a sapient person. They judge the character by that last pissant movie trilogy.

[@Outworlder]

@@adaeptzulander2928 The Empire too. They reclassified wookies as animals so they could still use them as slaves.

[@DarthTigger]

Amos is by far my favorite character and Wes plays him perfectly.

[@naruto4892]

Keep going with The Expanse content.

[@GenerationFilms]

OK 👌

[@19Crusader91]

@@GenerationFilms Keep it down for a day or two pls. Im planning to binge to whole season this weekend.

[@shadowuaw-0001]

@@19Crusader91 good choice

[@eggsang5619]

Amazingly analysis. You captured so many details and articulated them so well. I missed Amos's shift of loyalty from Naomi to Holden.

[@padrescout]

Bad comparison. Chewbacca hanging out with Han has nothing to do with Chewbaccas "inability to make his own decisions" it's an honor debt. He's perfectly capable of doing his own thing, he just doesn't.

[@jez76]

He’s also Hans best friend, in the entire world.

[@jaffarebellion292]

If I could compare Amos to anyone, it would be Jack from Mass Effect. Both are genuinely good people, broken during childhood, willing to step further over the line than others, approach death and sex casually, and try time and again to convince the world they're monsters to be feared, but when someone finally treats them with decency, they cling to that person as a guide.

[@mebrit6130]

One thing you didn't mention that is quite interesting about his character is that he actually got himself castrated so thst he couldn't have kids, either because he didn't think himselve worthy as a parent and didn't want to ruin the innocence of a child or that he didn't want to bring a child into such a broken and violent universe again for the same innocence reason. However he does spend a fair amount of his down time in brothels supporting local businesses.

[@EricStidams]

A vasectomy, not castrated.

[@sunhawk1751]

This was the first video on this channel I watched--and I clicked away because the intro seemed meandering and self-indulgent. But since I love Drummer so much, I later watched your video on her. It was intelligent and moving. So I watched this one again, all the way through. Again, really intelligent and moving. I actually got a tear toward the end. Respect. Subscribed. I'm about to go through your back-library.

[@pknuttarlott4934]

Amos is the best character on the Expanse by far. I love his savagery.

[@Mike23443]

This is the level of character depth and development only possible to attain through a process of simulation, peer review, and genuine emotion. You can't write a character like Amos. You can only live one. And it just so happens that somebody did. Not just Amos, but every one of the expanse main cast. It is so clear and plain to see that these are player characters in a pen and paper RPG campaign. A campaign that has been played for months and years. With people coming and going. The depth of these characters is such that it takes a group of people years to develop all of the details, and not juat one or two writers across a few months. The best, most genuine, and enthralling stories are the ones that weren't made up, but were lived through instead. A GM created the world, set it in motion and then let the players live and breath ebry part of it. These people laughed, cried, fought, raged, and loved. They lived this story. This is why it feels so real, so genuine. This is why the characters do what they do. This is why it's so atypical, and unlike how tv shows usually are. When I look at Jon snow, all I see inside his head is a script. When I look at Amos, I see a person who lives, thinks, and acts for himself.

[@matthewwilliamsracing]

Great video, thanks you. Amos is my favourite character in the Expanse series, well done 😁👍👍👍🇦🇺

[@GenerationFilms]

Thanks best friend in the whole world!

[@markkennedy5479]

"If we're judging people on the basis of where they start, versus where they end up, he's done better than most of us." Frame it.

[@RuleOf18Clans]

Amus understands one of the saddest and most important things in reality. Some people will make you hurt them. Some people need to be stopped.

[@ShotofDespresso]

14:47 I never realised that Amos is referring to himself as "the bad" in the world until you pointed it out. That's actually a really interesting point that I completely overlooked when watching The Expanse. Amos is my second favorite character in the show, after Alex.

[@shelldie8523]

The sexual abuser and cowboy impersonator is the best character? Why?

[@ShotofDespresso]

@@shelldie8523 I said that Alex is my favorite character, not that I like the actor who portrays him. Two very different things Additionally, the comment you replied to is over a year old, and in that time I have rewatched the show and formed new opinions.

[@MariachiTS]

You dissect the characters really well nice

[@Fotozaic]

Love how honest he is, and completely up front about what he's gonna do, to the point of giving away any advantage.

[@artboymoy]

Wookie rage! Harsh to say they're animals when they have Life Day, able to co pilot, make weapons, fix droids and ships, communicate proficiently... Come on, man! Be Best. :p

[@Miha_urk]

Okay then, mby gungans also not animals?

[@AbbaZabbaOlyFrn]

This channel will always be human diased

[@jasonschmidt9569]

Animal

[@russellmarra8520]

Yes, but remember that they'll also rip your arm off it they lose to you at chess...

[@aetherfukz]

Found this vid after binging the 5 expanse seasons and looking for essays. Great vid, subscribed! Amos really is the most complex bruiser character I've ever seen.

[@worstciaagentever2399]

When American Ben uses your comparison for Amos

[@GenerationFilms]

Sorry I couldn't find your comment! Maybe it wasn't on KZbin?

[@worstciaagentever2399]

@@GenerationFilms I think it was on IG but its all good bro!

[@GenerationFilms]

Damn! I recognize the avatar from IG. If I get another chance, I'll give you a shout out!!!

[@worstciaagentever2399]

@@GenerationFilms Haha awesome man! But no worries. Keep making awesome content!

[@BrofessorHEMann]

If you guys watch YELLOWSTONE, I’ve got a natch-up for the ages: Amos vs Rip.....wow. Two men so unbelievably similar in many ways! I love both shows. This is a great video. Thank you for the time you put into it.

[@garytverberg3253]

Agreed, so similar that they could have been brothers only separated by hundreds of years.