Category: Reviews

We found another review for the second episode. It’s more about Anna, but it’s a nice comment. 🙂

Speaking of Earth, one of The Expanse‘s major new characters for season three debuted in “IFF,” and it looks like she’s going to do an amazing job filling the huge void left by Chrisjen’s absence: Pastor Anna Volovodov (Elizabeth Mitchell). An old friend of UN Secretary General Esteban Sorrento-Gillis (Jonathan Whittaker) — she once helped write a speech that greatly advanced his political career — Anna’s summoned (against her wishes) to assist with another important address now that Earth and Mars are at war. Thing is, Anna’s not a big fan of Esteban, thanks to a falling-out they had years before (it’s not explained in detail, but it must’ve been bad, because she hasn’t forgiven him for it). And she’s also against the war and violence in general, because when she arrives at the UN, she doesn’t hesitate before breaking up a skirmish between cops and protestors.

Unlike Chrisjen, Anna is a UN outsider – though she does let a well-timed “Bullshit!” fly, so the two women definitely share an affinity for colourful language. Anna, who has an adorable wife and daughter back home, also has something very strategic going for her: the total trust of Earth’s most powerful politician. Naturally, her sudden appearance in New York City infuriates Earth’s second-most powerful politician, Errinwright, who’s already walking a high-tension wire behind everyone’s backs. You can practically see the smoke coming out of his ears when he realises how much influence Anna has over his boss. But something tells me that Anna, who is smart as hell and the opposite of naive, is not going to fall for the “hey, let’s have a friendly drink, except yours is laced with deadly, untraceable poison!” trick Errinwright pulled on his Mars counterpart last season.

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We didn’t read the book since we didn’t want to get too many spoilers and be surprised by Elizabeth’s Anna, but the following article is something interesting since they mention the difference between Anna in the book and Anna on the tv show.

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We posted what we thought about the episode yesterday, but we just want to add that we love there’s one character on this show that does not think about herself or “her people” but she thinks about humanity and we are so happy that character is Anna. They couldn’t find a better actress to play her!

These a couple of reviews we found online:

Unfortunately, for Earth, the cost of his ambition is nearly 2 million lives, and somehow he still manages to come out on top. The arrival of Anna (Elizabeth Mitchell) may well end up helping the Sec. General, as she seems to see through Errinwright, or at least get an inkling that something is amiss, while Gillis doesn’t. Mitchell does a great job of being the voice of reason for Whittaker’s bumbling Gillis, while also displaying a little hint of despair at the impending disaster.

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But that’s neither here nor there, bookishly; what is, is Anna. I wasn’t sure why they were bringing her in so much earlier (though I also wasn’t complaining). But the role she plays here is vital. She’s the counterweight to Errinwright’s slimy machinations and the SecGen’s ego-driven poor choices. How did this man climb to such political heights when all it takes to nudge him into destruction is one appeal to his legacy? Anna balances this: She believes in something other and better than male egos, and she believes there are right choices, right answers … and that her old friend (friend? colleague? professor?) is making the wrong ones.

I have faith in book-Anna, and I trust they won’t render her on the show as simply The One Good Person. But the scenes on Earth would be a lot flatter without her in them; she’s there to be horrified for us. And to let us appreciate Elizabeth Mitchell, of course.

tor

UPDATE (April 22): we added just a small comment about Anna at the end of the page.

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We found some nice reviews with great comments about Elizabeth and Anna. 😀

We also made this wall with the best lines from them because well… we are so proud of this woman! <3

Reverend Anna: Giver of few craps

Elizabeth Mitchell is by far the best part of this episode. She comes onto the scene and almost instantly starts knocking heads around, first with a UN security worker, then later with the Secretary-General, and finally, and most importantly with Errinwright.

Honestly, everyone should be verbally smacking Errinwright around, but it’s just that much more satisfying that it’s Elizabeth Mitchell doing it.

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The title, “IFF,” also brilliantly addresses the compelling theme of identifying of friend or foe, whether among Holden’s arguing crew, between the Pinus Contorta and the Razorback, or even with the new character played by Elizabeth Mitchell, who challenges Errinwright for the attention of the UN leader at a crucial time.

Mitchell is, in fact, perfectly cast as Anna Volovodov, or Pastor Anna as readers of the James S.A. Corey novels know her, even though her appearance, character, and history appear to be quite different here. Mitchell’s ability to smile with equal amounts endearment and menace and to combine wide-eyed disbelief with a strength of resolve are perfect for this role in which Anna must place a moral and religious framework around the UN war and the origins of the protomolecule. The softer side she shows her wife and daughter and the hard edge revealed by her past as the Secretary General’s speechwriter create a complex character from the very start.

Dan of geek

I already like Anna solely based on the two minutes she’s been on my screen. She’s assertive, but not maliciously so. Her compassion and intellect is evident.

Also, the addition of Anna and the always superb Mitchell was an A+ choice.

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We found this photo from The Expanse 3×02 in HQ:

They mentioned Liz in a small article.  <3

I’m also incredibly biased, but I am VERY excited about Elizabeth Mitchell joining the cast as Anna.

Syfy

We found a nice review about The Expanse 3×02 and this is the part about Anna and Elizabeth:

We spend most of our time on Earth seeing things through Anna’s eyes, and she’s an immediate, and welcome, addition to the cast. Part of this is because it’s a relief to have someone who’s not a corrupt asshole facing off against Errinwright (not that Esteban is necessarily as much of a monster as Errinwright is, but he’s compromised at the very least); the first time we see Anna, she’s intervening in a near riot and insisting that protester get his broken arm treated. It’s always possible that her principles will serve as an obstacle later on, but for now, it’s just good to see someone who actually believes in being a decent, caring human being.

The other reason Anna is so welcome is Elizabeth Mitchell. Mitchell’s obvious warmth and intelligence helped make her turn as Juliet so indelible on Lost—that she can be idealistic but never come across as foolish or predictable is a great gift, and she fits right in with the cast as it currently stands.

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The author of this review also wrote a nice message on twitter:

Had completely forgotten Elizabeth Mitchell was on this season of The Expanse, and am _very_ happy to see her.

We just want to say that the fans of the show are giving a nice welcome and a very positive reaction to the introduction of Anna and especially to Elizabeth, which makes us really happy, because this woman deserves all the love the world is capable to give her. <3