Critic’s Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
4.5
The biggest problem with this season of For All Mankind is that it has misaligned priorities.
Politics has taken center stage while scientific feats have taken a back seat in the story.
However, even the worst storylines can produce moments of brilliance when everything comes together.
(Courtesy of Apple TV)
In For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 8, “Brave New World,” everything comes together beautifully.
Does that excuse half the season being a snoozefest? No. But this is some good stuff because everything leads to what we love: space.
Titan Mission
It wouldn’t be a For All Mankind storyline if a mission didn’t encounter unforeseen problems, and when they land on Titan, Sojourner’s crew face a fresh one.
(Courtesy of Apple TV)
They landed way farther than their probe was, so they will need to venture out there.
It’s classic For All Mankind when the crew is faced with a risky, maybe even suicidal task that must be undertaken because success is so close they can almost taste it.
This episode goes the extra mile to explore the character dynamics a little bit deeper, and while For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 7 did frustrate with Kelly’s decision, this hour almost absolves her.
We know what’s at stake and the risks. It is easy to get behind the decision to send several people to retrieve the probe.
Now imagine if Kelly or someone else had stolen a vehicle and gone out there by themselves?
Well, that’s just simple recklessness.
(Courtesy of Apple TV)
So even when Kelly hides her actions from Walt, who is absolutely spiraling over the “mistake,” it doesn’t feel like mental torture.
She will tell him when the mission is complete and accept the consequences.
Also, seeing him smile after being ordered to join the mission is heartwarming.
Elsewhere, the stakes of a bad weather launch bring the thrill of going on a mission.
The Resistance
The politics have deflated this season, which cannot be argued with.
(Courtesy of Apple TV)
However, the fact that they lead to a mission is almost enough to forgive the hours that this canibalized.
As matters between Earth and Mars come to a head, Marsies decide to take action and practice the independence they’re fighting for.
Celia and the governor lead a mission that once again explains what’s at stake and the risks involved.
And the risks are well worth the rough launch during a sandstorm that nearly leads to catastrophe.
Tension is in the air as Mission Control tries to find a solution in real time, or the thing will come crashing down and kill everyone if it doesn’t explode first.
But escaping one catastrophe in For All Mankind almost always means another one is on the way.
(Kevin Estrada/Apple TV)
And there is no coming back from what happens to Ruiz. It wasn’t their intent, but that won’t matter.
Not to Earth, which has called them terrorists, or to Danny’s daughter, who is 70% water and 30% anger.
The War
The early episodes of the season teased a war, but then departed from that.
They dropped Danny’s daughter into the narrative in For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 4, and then forgot about her.
While I still maintain that they should have had a bottle episode solely focused on her, she has been a good addition to the narrative.
(Kevin Estrada/Apple TV)
Ines Asserson does a great job of portraying a young woman who is deeply damaged but tries to move on.
The anger she displays almost scares me.
She is that loose cannon that you know should not be on a mission because she’ll almost make things worse.
Her anger compounds through interactions and experiences, so losing Ruiz, whom she had grown close to, won’t do Marsies any favors.
This is war.
It’s a war purely based on a misunderstanding, but it is a war.
(Courtesy of Apple TV)
Elsewhere, Teen Romance continues with Alex and his girlfriend. While it was a nice touch for them to remember their friend, I’m still not invested enough in these characters.
Alex was mildly interesting after Ed’s death since he kept his grandfather’s name alive, but now that we’ve moved past that, he’s just … there.
When the girlfriend is factored in, their story stops being interesting because while we understand what the Marsies are fighting for, we are not emotionally invested to the same level these characters are.
Gut Check
I loved “Brave New World” not because it was perfect, but because it’s the closest to For All Mankind this show has felt in nearly five years.
I especially loved the dynamic duos that formed: Celia and Leonid; Jarrett and Ruiz; Miles and Aleida.
(Courtesy of Apple TV)
Perhaps this is what the show’s creative team has envisioned all along. It’s sad that it took this long to realize it.
Intrusive Thoughts
- If they’d known about Heated Rivalry, they’d have given Connor Storrie a bigger role.
- I forgot to breathe multiple times here.
- Mireille Enos’ voice brings me joy for some reason.
- What is Dev up to? Apart from sabotaging the Sons and Daughters of Mars, that is.
Over to you, For All Mankind fanatics. Is this war or what? Which side would you be on? Which was the best arc this hour?
Let’s keep the conversation going — it’s the only way the good stuff survives.
Say something in the comments, share if you’re moved to, and keep reading. Independent voices need readers like you
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