Story, World & Core Themes
Explore the narrative, setting, and ideas that shape The Expanse.
Story
High-level synopsis and narrative focus.
Hundreds of years in the future, the Solar System has been colonized. Detective Joe Miller and the crew of the Rocinante uncover a conspiracy involving the Protomolecule, an alien bio-weapon that threatens the fragile Cold War between Earth, Mars, and the asteroid Belt.
World
Setting, cultures, and distinctive elements.
The 24th Century Solar System. Humanity is divided into three factions: Earth (UN), Mars (MCRN), and the Outer Planets Alliance (The Belt).
Rocinante, Ceres Station, Earth, Mars, Tycho Station
Themes
Core ideas and recurring motifs.
The complex geopolitical tensions between superpowers.
Humanity vs. Unknown: The existential threat of alien technology.
Tribalism: The prejudice between Earthers, Martians, and Belters.