I didn’t really get “For All Mankind” back when Apple TV Plus started. One of Apple’s original four shows (alongside Dickinson, See, and The Morning Show), the pilot episode—pardon the astronaut—failed to launch for me. Little did I know it was going to be one of my favorite shows on TV.
And for a bit of context, I’ll say For All Mankind has had some uphill climbs for me. History has always been my weakest subject, dating back to high school. So, when did word come that Apple had teamed up with Battlestar Galactica, the mastermind of the Battlestar Galactica reboot? Well, I wasn’t committed to that (unlike my colleague who had a pre-existing interest and also liked FAM after a late start). All I knew was that it was cool for the first episode to have Chris Power (who I knew as Frank Sobotka from The Wire) as NASA Administrator Deke Slayton.
But, here I am thinking of my alternate reality. One where people have to buy “late tickets” when they’re late for the show’s start. Because if this reality exists? I’ll shout, “Go buy a For All Mankind late-entry pass. It’s worth it.”
I’m sure I’m far from the only person who hasn’t given For All Mankind a proper shot (it’s a far cry from the Apple TV Plus show, and even then, have enough people watched Severance or Ted Lasso?). This needs to change.
Fair warning: For all of humanity, a slow start
In addition to not being interested in a story based on the late ’60s and early ’70s, I’ll admit For All Mankind is one of those shows that should do some world building. That’s what the screenwriter says to spend some early episodes introducing you to a cast of characters, whose big stories can only unfold once things are created.
In my defense, I always hate the concept of a slow start. A great show wouldn’t be better even if the first episodes could build a world And the be persuasive? I’m not a screenwriter (I only took a couple of courses in college, which isn’t enough to say much), though, so I can’t throw rocks hard at their real estate.
That said, if you have a problem? I implore you to push through the first episodes of For All Mankind. The first episode, for whatever reason, crashed the first time I saw it and the second time (years later) too.
The third episode, though, is where you should begin to emotionally relate to the For All Mankind story. In it, NASA’s plans are centered again, as President Nixon pushes them to change their strategy.
For All Mankind is not just about the space race
Exist while Season 3 of For All Mankind continues, I know the reach of the series is way beyond our moon in that first season so focused on it. For All Mankind is about his own (sometimes similar) version of history.
But, to be honest, I want you to know that space is just a place meant for all human beings. Similar to how Greendale Community College was just the setting for Dan Harmon’s community, and how Arconia—”the building” in Only Murders in the Building—is an elaborate way for this show to get many of the esoteric characters in close proximity.
For All Mankind uses NASA to gather a group of trapped people and their partners, then watch them struggle, work, and hopefully succeed. The first you’ll meet is Edward “Ed” Baldwin (Joel Kinman), an outstanding astronaut who’s been through a lot of nonstop trouble. He’s made to look even better by being compared to Gordon “Gordo” Stevens (Michael Dorman), who makes his mistakes a lot.
Although neither of them proved convincing to begin with, in the end they will thank the rest of the cast. Karen, Ed’s wife (Chantel van Santen) is one of my favorite characters throughout Season 1, going through all the feelings of someone whose partner lives a dangerous life. Then there’s Tracy (Sarah Jones), Gordo’s wife, who is more persuasive than her husband, and has more to do too.
All said? NASA engineer Margo Madison (Wrenn Schmidt) has been my favorite throughout the entire season. Driven to succeed, but not entirely interested in playing NASA games for advancement, Margo is my type of personality.
The outlook: For All Mankind gets relentlessly emotional – and I can’t wait to see more
I wouldn’t be writing this article today if it wasn’t for the last three episodes of season one. Yes, that is my way of saying that I only watched the first of the three seasons. In my defense, I don’t feel too early to write this article. Not only are my colleagues saying that the show is getting better, but that Dozens of rotten tomatoes (Opens in a new tab) Bear with it: Season 1 got a polite 74%, Season 2 got 100% Rare and Season 3 almost got a repeat, got 97%.
But, let’s go back to season one. Once For All Mankind gets the astronauts in orbit and their engineers and families on the emotional edge of the mind, it gets into the kind of emotional punches that will hook you into the series. I can’t explain who does what, but from the telegram from the Russians to the phone call from the police station (not to mention docking problems at the end), For All Mankind got me totally excited. This is a huge sign of quality when I initially had a hard time finding my interest in the series.
Had it not been for the large number of new shows we cover in Tom’s Guide now – House of the Dragon and She-Hulk both come to mind – I would have made more progress in Season 2. All I hear is telling me I need to catch up right away before any spoilers catch my eye. And my colleagues are already excited about For All Mankind 4 season (which is for sure).
So, dear reader, join me in this race to catch up on an alternate history of the space race. Trust me, it’s worth it.
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