Quick Links
The Expanseis a multimedia, science fiction series set in a near future in which humanity has spread out across the Milky Way. Earth is governed by the United Nations. Mars has a Congressional Government, and those between the two planets — primarily occupying the asteroid belt — are known as Belters.
RELATED:The Expanse: A Telltale Series Preview - Step Into The Mag Boots Of Camina Drummer
Naturally, multiple factions mean rivalries form, wars brew, and grudges dictate political, social, and personal beliefs and views. The Expanse is a series that focuses heavily on the division of races and species.
What Is The Expanse?
The series started asnovels written by James S.A. Corey, a joint penname of the two writers; Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, back in 2011. There have since been nine novels, nine shorter works, and some collections too.
It then spawneda TV show on SyFy, but it was canceled after three seasons. Luckily, Amazon Prime Video renewed the show for an additional three seasons, all of which were adaptations of the books. Outside of television, there have been several comic book tie-ins, a role playing game, and more.
RELATED:The Expanse: A Telltale Series - Chapter One Collectables Guide
Now, there’s alsoa video game by the resurrected Telltale Games;The Expanse: A Telltale Series.
Across all these mediums, one of the major characters is that ofCamina Drummer. Camina is one of the more interesting characters because she isnoticeably different across each iteration. She is also the main playable character in the Telltale video game.
Camina In The Books
In the book series,Camina Drummer is first introduced in Nemesis Games, the fifth in the series. She is described as “a thin-faced woman with a crisp, but unplaceable accent.” At the time of her introduction, she was the acting Chief of Security at Tycho Station, and a member of the OPA (Outer Planets Alliance).
The name Camina is not given to her until the seventh book in the series, Persepolis Rising. Prior to that point, she was usuallyreferred to as just Drummer.
She was born and raised on Ceres, where she went on to work the docks. Eventually, she became acquainted with Anderson Dawes, one of the leaders of the OPA. This in turn allowed her torise through the ranks, becoming a high-ranking member of his faction.
RELATED:The Expanse: A Telltale Series - Chapter Two Collectables Guide
After years of being under Dawes' command,Camina grew disillusioned with him, and abandoned the OPA leaderin favor of Fred Johnson, a former war hero (depending on your perspective).
She, Fred, and Anderson shared some history together, asCamina was responsible for Anderson helping Fred out of financial ruinand saved the man’s life.
After the death of Fred Johnson in Babylon’s Ashes, the sixth book in the series,Camina stepped into his shoes and became the acting head of Tycho Station and its people. In a show of respect, she styled herself after the station’s former leader, befriending James Holden, the main character of the series.
Later,Camina became the President of the Transport Union, effectively making her one of the most important humans in the Milky Way system.
When war erupted and the Laconian Empire seized control, she, and what remained of her followers and the Transport Union,moved to their new headquarters in the Laconia Capital City.
Camina In The TV Show
Introduced in the second season of the TV show,Camina is portrayed by Canadian actress, Cara Gee. What’s most notable about Camina’s depiction in the show is thatshe is in fact a combination of several characters. Or, more specifically, certain minor characters have had their moments and events transferred onto the character of Camina.
Samara Rosenberg is one of those characters. She appears in both the TV show and the books, but her central relationship with Naomi, another key character, is transferred onto Camina instead. This results in the TV version of Camina having a stronger relationship with Naomi, and as such, a much more central role in her events.
Another character Camina borrows from is that ofCarlos c de Baca, also known as Bull, whoobtains a spinal injuryin the books. This injury isgiven to Camina in the showand becomes a large part of her motivation, and story moving forward.
Carlos does show up in the TV show though, butwithout the spinal injuryas part of his story.
One other character Camina incorporates elements from is that ofMichio, who is a minor character in the show compared to the books, because of this transference.
In the show, Camina forms a polyamorous relationship with her crew, sharing everything they have and own. Much of this wastaken from the character of Michio in the books.
RELATED:The Expanse: A Telltale Series - Chapter Three Collectables Guide
Camina is a no-nonsense Belter. She has a strong personality and isnot afraid to voice her opinion or disdain. She has a temper and isn’t one to hide it.
Like other Belters, having to survive on whatever is available, she forms strong relationships with other Belters, treating them with respect and equality. This forms part of her views about politics and the Belt.
She does not want a unified leader, controlling all the Belt. Instead, she wants everyone to share what they have, to haveequal say and power. This becomes one of the reasonsshe leaves Anderson Dawes and his faction of the OPA, who steadily strive for more power, control, and leadership.
As an intelligent person, she is both practical and reasonable.While she has a lot of pride,she is often forced to ignore her desires or wishes in favor of what’s right for those around her.
There are instances where she cooperates with enemies, gives into demands, andmakes compromises if it means she and her allies survive. This naturally causes some frustrations with the likes of Naomi, who would rather not let others get what they want.
Camina is also a character whorespects her superiors, and even if ordered to do something she disagrees with,she will follow that order if she likes or respects those commanding her.
For example,she does whatever Fred Johnson asks of herbecause she looks up to the man and believes in him. Whereasshe struggles to do the same with the terrorist, Marco Inaros, when he forces her to ally with him.
Like in the books,Camina starts out as the Chief of Security at Tycho Station, steps into Fred Johnson’s shoes after his death and eventually becomes the President of the Transport Union. Between those events,she captains the OPAS first warship, the Behemoth, until her spinal injury.
After the Slow Zone incident depicted in season 3 of the show,she becomes the Station Commander of Medina Station, investigating a slew of missing ships.She later becomes the leader of a pirate fleet, working outside the OPA or any government, and she is forced to work with Marco Inaros despite her not wanting anything to do with him.
Camina In The Video Game
Set before the events of the TV show and the books, Camina Drummer is once again portrayed by Cara Gee in Telltale’s video game. There, she is slightlyyounger and softer in terms of her personality.
Having just recently left Anderson Dawes, she is apart of a crew traversing the Milky Way in search of scrap and supplies, when a pirate vessel begins a hunt for them. The game allows you to explore wrecked ships, unearth scrap and resources, talk with your crew, discover more about them and the universe’s lore, andmake key choices that impact Camina’s relationships with them.
Camina gets to know her crew, opens up to them in a way she rarely does in the books or the show, andshe shows a side of her character never before seen. She has a budding romance with one crew member, Maya Castillo, and as it’s a choice-based video game,you can decide where that relationship goes. If anywhere.
By the end of the second chapter, you may pull the trigger andlet Camina give into her heart and urges, forging a romantic relationship regardless of the consequences, and the backlash that may follow.
Or, you’re able to ignore that desire andkeep things strictly professional, impacting Camina’s standing with Maya. This hints at future events in Camina’s life, those depicted in the books and the TV show, and itexplains how/why she becomes harder and sterner in the canon.
Meanwhile, you’re able to find medication to aid a drug-addicted crew member, Arlen. You can also find mushroom powder for Virgil, the ship’s cook and medic, and you can find a cigar that you can gift to the pilot, Khan.
All of these instances allow you the chance to get to know your crew more, uncover their past and history, and learn more about their motivations and desires. Itgives Camina the chance to open up, to relax, and to lower her guard— an unusual sight for this character.
Perhaps the most notable event in the game is at the end of the first chapter. You are given a choice at the end of this chapter, one that impacts the rest of the game. After the Captain of the ship tries to betray you, Camina caneither kill him or imprison him.
The result is pretty much the same — Camina ends up in charge, but the events that lead to the result are dramatically different andallow you to shape Camina’s past in a significant way.
You canmake her vengeful, or have her seek justice. These are actions that couldpush Camina closer to her more anger-fueled, moodier depictionin the books and TV show.
NEXT:The Expanse: A Telltale Series Review - A Series Of Television Crammed Into A Couple Of Hours
