‘The Expanse’: Bobbie Draper’s Helmet Is in the Smithsonian
The Expanse Season 6 is coming soon, and that means the return of everyone’s favorite Martian marine — Bobbie Draper played by Frankie Adams. Draper has won fans over with her tough-as-nails action scenes and dialogue, coupled with an occasionally surprising vulnerability. As the show has progressed, so has her working relationship with Avasarala. The Expanse Season 6 appears to have some intense stuff in store for Bobbie Draper. In the meanwhile, the Smithsonian has Frankie Adams’ Bobbie Draper helmet on display, and the curator is just as hyped about The Expanse as any fan.
‘The Expanse’ Season 6 has a December premiere date
During New York Comic Con 2021, The Expanse cast and crew revealed an official trailer for The Expanse Season 6. The new and final season of the hit sci-fi show will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on December 10, 2021.
“The sixth and final season of The Expanse picks up with the solar system at war, as Marco Inaros and his Free Navy continue to launch devastating asteroid attacks on Earth and Mars,” wrote Amazon of Season 6.
“As the tensions of war and shared loss threaten to pull the crew of the Rocinante apart, Chrisjen Avasarala makes a bold move and sends former Martian Marine Bobbie Draper on a secret mission that could turn the tide of the conflict. Meanwhile, in the Belt, Drummer and what’s left of her family are on the run after betraying Marco. And on a distant planet beyond the Rings, a new power begins to rise.”
The trailer includes about 45 seconds of show content, with a lot of quick cuts and takes. Avasarala speaks over the first half of the trailer, describing their struggle and loss.
“We’re broken. Trying desperately to keep ourselves going by pretending we’re not. We must remember the lives we’ve lost. The pain we’ve suffered. Because with every new attack, Inaros’ power grows,” Avasarala says.
As for Frankie Adams’ Bobbie Draper, the Martian marine is seen in her power armor, walking down a catwalk while taking fire. The background looks like Ring space — it will be interesting to see exactly what Avasarala has Bobbie Draper doing during The Expanse Season 6.
‘The Expanse’: Bobbie Draper’s helmet displayed in the Smithsonian
The Expanse Season 6 will be a dramatic and action-packed episode judging by the trailer. And whether or not Bobbie Draper makes it out alive, we can rest assured that her legacy lives on in the Smithsonian Institute.
There, curator Matt Shindell has custody of Frankie Adams’ helmet — the same one she wore while portraying Bobbie Draper on The Expanse.
“This is the helmet from a suit of Goliath power armor from the television show The Expanse. It was donated by Alcon television group. And this particular helmet belonged to the character Sergeant Roberta ‘Bobbie’ Draper, Martian Marine Corps Sergeant,” explained Shindell on Adam Savage’s Tested.
“The bada**,” cut in Adam Savage, accurately so.
“I’m the curator of planetary science and exploration, that’s my main job. So mostly what I curate are the tools, the experiments, the rovers, the landers that we use to explore planets,” explained Shindell. He went on to explain how having objects like Bobbie Draper’s helmet helps us learn and grow.
“But I’m also really interested in how we’ve used science fiction books, television, movies, games, all sorts of things to imagine what it would be like to have humans on other planets, and in particular, Mars. And so Bobbie Draper with this Marine Corps helmet and the whole power armor suit are a great example of that.”
The Smithsonian curator lauds ‘The Expanse’ and Frankie Adams
Matt Shindell went on to add that he himself does love The Expanse, and that he thinks Frankie Adams nailed the role of Bobbie Draper, so much so that he feels odd seeing the helmet without Bobbie Draper inside it.
“On a personal note, do you love The Expanse? Isn’t it the best?” asked Savage.
“Oh absolutely, it is,” replied Shindell. “And you know, I think a lot of people feel that way. And that’s one of the reasons why we wanted to collect this helmet from that series.”
“The prop collecting community is so vibrant these days, things like this would normally disappear into a collection. So I’m really glad you guys get to put it on display and talk about that virtuous cycle of imagination, and how some young person watching The Expanse today could be an aerospace engineer tomorrow, or an astronaut, or a conservator,” said Savage.
“One of the things that was key to bringing this suit to life was, of course, the actor Frankie Adams, who does just such an incredible job of portraying Bobbie Draper in the show. And so it’s hard to imagine this helmet without seeing her face inside of it,” Shindell added.
