The worst episodes of The Expanse
Ranked by viewer rating, lows first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
Holden and crew fight for survival in a badly damaged shuttle. Miller uncovers clues about Julie Mao, as water rationing hits Ceres Station. On Earth, UN Deputy Undersecretary Chrisjen Avasarala interrogates a Belter terrorist.
- 02
In the asteroid belt near Saturn, James Holden and the crew of the ice freighter Canterbury investigate a distress call from a mysterious derelict ship, the Scopuli. On Ceres, Station, Detective Miller begins an off-the-books investigation of a missing heiress, Julie Mao.
- 03
Holden and crew make a deal with an unlikely ally on Tycho Station. Along with his conspiracy theories about Julie Mao, Miller's obsession with the missing girl intensifies.
- 04
James Holden and the crew deal with the aftermath of their escape from Eros. Martian Marine Gunnery Sergeant Bobbie Draper and her platoon witness the growing tension between Earth and Mars.
- 05
Miller discovers revealing information on a hidden data cube. Holden and crew arrive at Tycho Station, surprised by their host's hidden agenda.
- 06
Holden and Miller butt heads about how the raid was handled.
- 07
Earth and Mars search for answers in the aftermath of the asteroid collision. A dangerous new threat emerges outside Jupiter, while one lie threatens to destroy the Rocinante crew.
- 08
Preparations for the Earth/Mars peace conference tighten the tension on Erringwright.
- 09
Bobbie becomes a political pawn in the struggle between Earth and Mars.
- 10
A discovery pushes Naomi and Holden apart and sets the Roci crew against each other.
- 11
The tensions of war threaten to pull the Rocinante crew apart when they make a startling discovery on an asteroid. Avasarala and Bobbie contend with the devastation on Earth as Marco's rocks continue to rain down. In the Belt and on the run, Drummer and her family must make a heartbreaking decision. On Ceres, Marco and Filip's struggles turn inward.
- 12
Holden and crew realize they're not alone on the Rocinante and find themselves up against a Martian military blockade. Believing all is lost, Miller finds a new reason to forge ahead. Avasarala visits Holden's family in Montana.
- 13
Holden leads his crew through the war-torn station on Ganymede.
- 14
The Rocinante tends to wounded Martian soldiers in exchange for supplies; Avasarala struggles with how to disseminate a key piece of evidence despite being in hiding.
- 15
The Rocinante seeks a new game plan as they attempt to avoid capture; Melba's true motives are revealed; Naomi is torn between identity and ideal; Anna seeks a way to stay aboard the Thomas Prince.
- 16
Holden tries to convince Fred Johnson to destroy the last sample of protomolecule. Naomi gets an important lead to her son. On Luna, Avasarala begins to hunt for Marco Inaros.
- 17
Avasarala, with the Combined Fleet of Earth and Mars, takes the war to Marco. Filip and Marco's relationship is tested. The war becomes more perilous and personal for Holden and Naomi when the Rocinante is suddenly forced into a battle.
- 18
Holden finds himself at odds with his crew when a controversial decision is uncovered. On Ceres, Avasarala struggles to contain an escalating humanitarian crisis. Drummer's growing faction stage a daring raid with dire stakes. Filip, demoted to repair skiff duty, makes an unexpected discovery.
- 19
Holden and crew are taken prisoner aboard the Donnager, the flagship of the Martian Congressional Republic Navy, and begin to turn against each another. While contending with riots on Ceres, Miller connects Julie to the mysterious derelict ship, the Scopuli. Avasarala engages in a nasty game of politics with an old friend.
- 20
Naomi tracks down signs of the protomolecule; Fred Johnson's control over the OPA collapses.
- 21
The Rocinante crew deals with the fallout over Naomi's betrayal while caught in the middle of the war between Earth and Mars. Avasarala and Bobbie hatch an escape plan.
- 22
All eyes turn to the edge of the solar system as a mysterious new presence emerges; Naomi recommits to her roots; Drummer butts heads with a seasoned new commander aboard the Behemoth; and a young Belter makes a name for himself.
- 23
An old friend taunts Holden with the answers he seeks; Naomi struggles to fit in; a mysterious low-level tech aboard the Thomas Prince enacts a terrifying plan.
- 24
Holden and the Roci go on the hunt. Amos and Clarissa seek shelter on a devastated Earth. Bobbie and Alex fight a desperate battle. Marco makes Drummer an offer she can't refuse. Avasarala returns to a position of power.
- 25
Naomi makes a desperate attempt to save her son from Marco. On the Roci, Holden battles for the last sample of protomolecule.
Shows like The Expanse
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
- 01Science-Fiction·Thriller·MysteryThe worst episodes of Dark Matter2024–present
Hailed as one of the best sci-fi novels of the decade, Dark Matter is a story about the road not taken. - 02Science-Fiction·Thriller·MysteryThe worst episodes of Beacon 232023–2024·MGM+
Beacon 23 follows Aster, a government agent, and Halan, a stoic ex-military man, who cross paths when they end up trapped together inside one of the many Beacons in outer space that serve as a lighthouse for… - 03Science-Fiction·Thriller·MysteryThe worst episodes of The Acolyte2024–2024·Disney+
The Acolyte takes viewers into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark-side powers in the final days of the High Republic era. - 04Science-Fiction·Thriller·MysteryThe worst episodes of Constellation2024–2024Constellation is a conspiracy-based psychological thriller drama that centers on Jo, an astronaut who returns to Earth after a disaster in space, only to discover that key pieces of her life seem to be missing.
- 05Science-Fiction·Thriller·MysteryThe worst episodes of Fortitude2015–2018·NowFortitude is a place like nowhere else. Although surrounded by the savage beauty of the Arctic landscape, Fortitude is one of the safest towns on earth.
- 06Science-Fiction·Thriller·MysteryThe worst episodes of Alice in Borderland2020–2025
With his two friends, a video-game-obsessed young man finds himself in a strange version of Tokyo where they must compete in dangerous games to survive.Every episode lists different main cast in the opening sequence…
