The Expanse Proves Why Amos Can't Easily Replace Holden
Amos needs a moral guide in The Expanse season 5, but Clarissa "Peaches" Mao isn't the right replacement for Holden. Ever since The Expanse introduced Wes Chatham's Amos Burton, the mechanic has stood out from his crew mates. Amos struggles to know right from wrong in any given situation, and violence is his instinctive reaction to even the slightest threat, but far from an outright brute, Amos desperately wants to be a better person. To this end, he relies heavily on a few trusted loved ones to act as moral guides. Amos was first shown the way by Lydia in Baltimore, before coming to rely on Naomi during his stint on the Canterbury, and finally his captain on the Rocinante, James Holden.
Amos steps out alone in The Expanse season 5, visiting his old acquaintances (and a certain jailbird) on Earth. Had the trip passed without incident, Amos undoubtedly could've made his way without the help of Holden or Naomi. In a stroke of misfortune, however, he happens to be present when Earth is hit by a cataclysmic asteroid strike. Suddenly, Amos finds himself in a battle for survival, forcing his aggressive instincts out into the open - and the Roci crew are nowhere nearby. Amos realizes the need to reunite with Holden and Naomi before losing himself completely, and embarks on a journey to escape Earth alongside Clarissa Mao.
In The Expanse season 5's "Winnipesauke," Clarissa begins to assume the role of Amos Burton's new moral compass. She refuses to abandon any civilians on the luxury island, assuring every stranded worker that they'll be given an escape route. Erich and Amos are uncomfortable with the idea, but after seeing Clarissa take a stance, the mechanic follows her lead. Later, when the rapidly growing tribe are accosted by private security, Clarissa gets in the middle before a firefight can break out. Once again, Amos looked ready to throw down, but he takes heed of Clarissa and lowers his weapon.
It might appear that Clarissa has assumed Holden's role of helping Amos make better decisions, but while Peaches' advice might be preferable to none at all, she's no replacement for Amos' crew mates. Clarissa's heart is in the right place, but her actions ultimately lead to more casualties. On Clarissa's say-so, Amos lets the security goons walk, despite knowing they'll return in greater numbers. When the assault inevitably comes, the death toll is just as bad (if not worse) than it would've been if Clarissa had just let the two sides settle their differences in the first instance. While Holden always tries to avoid violence, he also wouldn't put his crew in danger - a balance that Clarissa's naive mindset is lacking.
The difference is one of upbringing. James Holden and Naomi Nagata might be idealistic, but they're also familiar with the harsh realities of the world. Clarissa, on the other hand, was raised in luxury. Her only two perspectives are that of a sheltered rich girl, or an inmate in a high security prison for ruthless killers - not exactly ideal qualifications for an aspiring moral guru.
Clarissa replacing Holden also contradicts the original reason Amos made a connection with her. Visiting her prison cell, Amos reveals his desire to save Clarissa - to drag her from the darkness and prove there's life beyond a homicide sentence. Amos is essentially looking to pass the lessons he took from Lydia, Holden and Naomi onto someone new, and as such, it makes little sense for Clarissa to suddenly flip the script and become Amos' savior in The Expanse season 5. Instead, Amos and Peaches will have a more unique, equal dynamic when she and Amos finally rendezvous with the Rocinainte crew - learning from each other and developing an attachment very distinct from how Amos interacts with Holden and Naomi.
from ScreenRant - Feed
Join Our Email Newsletter Now!
Join over 1,897 people who get free and fresh content delivered automatically each time we publish.
