One of the best shows on TV is back on Apple TV Plus this week — and I’m not talking about Ted Lasso. Or slingshot or severance. They are all great, don’t get me wrong, but they got a lot of attention and caused a lot of controversy.
Few people mention ForAll Mankind.
With enthusiastic reviews General consent (Opens in a new tab) The Season 2 finale was one of the best episodes of television in the last five years (and probably so far). For All Mankind has been criminally overlooked at the Emmy Awards.
The show deserves more recognition, so here I’m beating the drums prior to the premiere of For All Mankind Season 3 (tomorrow, Friday, June 10th). Get on this rocket. You will not regret it.
For All Mankind starts with an amazing premise
For All Mankind was co-created by the restart of Battlestar Galactica (which itself is one of the greatest television shows of all time) and by Ronald D. Moore, who mastered the Outlander. Like these series, For All Mankind combines multiple genres such as science fiction, action, historical epics, workplace dramas, romance, and political plots.
The show begins with a fantastic and fantastic premise. What if the Soviet Union defeated the United States on the moon in 1969? On this other timeline, Soviet astronauts are the first to set foot on the moon, not Neil Armstrong.
As a result, Americans are making more efforts to catch up, and the space race never ends — changing almost everything about the history that continues.
Alternate history is like a mirror of a madhouse
One of the show’s strengths is how its alternate history is reflected in us. It’s like holding a mirror of a madhouse in our world. Some are the same, some are slightly off, and some are completely different.
Larger parity was introduced much earlier within NASA itself. After the Soviet Union included women in its mission, Americans follow by training women and minorities. Molly Cobb (Sonya Walger) became the first woman of the month in 1971. In fact, Sally Ride didn’t get in track until 1983.
Women’s attention-grabbing role in space programs will lead to the passage of an amendment to equal rights, which is nothing more than our proposal in space.
As public interest in space flight never diminishes, NASA has the funding and support to build a permanent lunar base called Jamestown. Second, NASA’s R & D helps to accelerate the pace of technological progress. The opening season 3 montage shows that the first iPhone predecessor and HD TV arrived in 1992.
In a larger world culture, John Lennon survives and Prince Charles marries Camilla instead of Diana. Edward Kennedy is elected President for the first term and will be replaced by Ronald Reagan. But former astronaut Ellen Wilson (Jody Balfour) is a Republican candidate against Bill Clinton. Grange still happens, as in the movie “Rain Man”.
Perspective: Space is the most fascinating frontier
Everything that happens on Earth is intriguing, but For All Mankind is really good at a set piece of space and the moon. The Season 2 finale featured an astonishing stomach-disturbing sequence brought about by the fierce conflict between Americans and the Soviet Union. Astronauts Gourd and Tracy Stevens have sacrificed their lives to prevent the reactor from collapsing.
In lunar orbit, Ed (Joel Kinnaman) was one button away from blasting a Soviet spacecraft and causing World War III. Fortunately, the crisis was averted when Daniel (Kris Marshall) did not obey orders and docked with Soyuz. Her handshake with astronauts broadcast around the world influenced peace talks between Reagan and the Russians.
Not only does the All Mankind action scene look good (Apple obviously pays the highest amount for visual effects), but the characters are so well written that I find it really important. Their motivation, flaws, emotions, and two seasons of growth make these scenes very intense and engaging.
In Season 3, the race will move from the moon to Mars. This should be even more exciting. I know astronauts put their boots on the red ground, but no one’s boots. And the United States and the Soviet Union are not the only players. A visionary private entrepreneur joined the chat. Three-way scrambles make your stakes even higher.
Maybe all that Elon Musk-ness will finally get some notice to For All Mankind. Whatever you need to get the show’s attention is fine for me! I hope my personal campaign will get at least a few new viewers. [Editor’s note: after reading this, I’m convinced, and ready to dive into the first 20 hours of seasons 1 and 2 to give For All Mankind a chance.]