The BEST episodes of The Expanse season 1

Every episode of The Expanse season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Expanse season 1!

Two hundred years in the future, in a fully colonized solar system, police detective Josephus Miller is given the assignment to find a missing young woman, Julie Mao. Joining his task is James Holden, former first officer of an ice freighter who is involved in an incident caused by the tense relationship between Earth, Mars and the Belt. Far from their struggles in space, United Nations executive Chrisjen Avasarala works to prevent war between Earth and Mars. Soon the three find out that the missing woman is connected to a vast conspiracy that threatens all humanity.

Last Updated: 2/7/2025Network: Prime VideoStatus: Ended
Leviathan Wakes
star
8.03
5607 votes

#1 - Leviathan Wakes

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 2/2/2016

Miller, Holden and his crew fight their way to the Rocinante to escape Eros. On Earth, Avasarala fears for the stability of Earth's government and her family's safety.

Directors: Terry McDonough
Watch Now:Amazon
Critical Mass
star
7.90
5869 votes

#2 - Critical Mass

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 2/2/2016

Miller, Holden and his crew are trapped on Eros. Avasarala discovers the origin of the mystery ships.

Directors: Terry McDonough
Watch Now:Amazon
CQB
star
7.90
6747 votes

#3 - CQB

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 12/29/2015

Holden and crew are caught in the middle of a desperate battle, as mysterious warships attack and board the Donnager. As Miller continues to investigate Julie Mao, his partner Havelock continues to go missing.

Directors: Jeff Woolnough
Watch Now:Amazon
Salvage
star
7.85
6101 votes

#4 - Salvage

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 1/26/2016

A derelict vessel holds a potentially devastating secret. Holden and his crew cross paths with Miller on Eros. Avasarala receives bad news.

Directors: Bill Johnson
Writer: Robin Veith
Watch Now:Amazon
Rock Bottom
star
7.55
6220 votes

#5 - Rock Bottom

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 1/12/2016

Holden's team makes an uneasy alliance with Fred Johnson while Miller fights for his life against Anderson Dawes' thugs.

Directors: Robert Lieberman
Writer: Jason Ning
Watch Now:Amazon
Back to the Butcher
star
7.53
6432 votes

#6 - Back to the Butcher

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/5/2016

The crew has survived the loss of the Canturbury and the Donnager and are contacted by an unlikely ally. Miller, on Ceres, continues his investigation and his thoughts of a conspiracy grow.

Directors: Robert Lieberman
Writer: Dan Nowak
Watch Now:Amazon
Remember the Cant
star
7.52
6860 votes

#7 - Remember the Cant

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 12/22/2015

While Avasarala plays a dangerous game of politics, Holden and his crew begin to turn on one another while held captive by the Martian Navy.

Directors: Jeff Woolnough
Writer: Robin Veith
Watch Now:Amazon
Windmills
star
7.52
6000 votes

#8 - Windmills

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 1/19/2016

Holden and his crew face a Martian military blockade. Miller finds a new reason to forge ahead. Avasarala visits Holden’s family.

Directors: Bill Johnson
Watch Now:Amazon
Dulcinea
star
7.51
9415 votes

#9 - Dulcinea

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 12/14/2015

In the outer solar system 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.

Directors: Terry McDonough
Watch Now:Amazon
The Big Empty
star
7.45
7564 votes

#10 - The Big Empty

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 12/15/2015

Holden and crew are trapped in a badly damaged shuttle. On Ceres, Miller uncovers clues about Julie Mao. On Earth, Chrisjen Avasarala questions a terrorist.

Directors: Terry McDonough
Watch Now:Amazon