For All Mankind Trailer - Apple TV- SPOILER

[Jedi Marso]

Not sure if the first ep was available early everywhere, but I found it by chance, trying to access the bonus material. (I was finally able to, after starting the episode.)

S4 is off to a solid start. Couple of surprises. No spoilers, but it was good. The only mystery in terms of people is what eventually happened to Danny Stevens- that one isn't answered yet, but whatever went down in the end is weighing heavily on Dani Poole.

The dynamics of the 2000 election are pretty interesting, the way they are represented here. Al Gore beats George H.W. Bush, and the explanation of how it all happens (in the bonus material) is a fairly interesting swerve on actual history.

 

[David cgc]

I was keeping an eye on my podcatcher for the official podcast, but I just realized that, while they record them in advance, "advance" was probably during the strikes, and unless they wanted to have someone scab for Krys Marshall, they wouldn't be able to begin recording until... what, yesterday? Next week, after the full vote on the new contract? Hopefully they'll catch up.

 

[Kraig]

Not sure if the first ep was available early everywhere, but I found it by chance, trying to access the bonus material. (I was finally able to, after starting the episode.)

S4 is off to a solid start. Couple of surprises. No spoilers, but it was good. The only mystery in terms of people is what eventually happened to Danny Stevens- that one isn't answered yet, but whatever went down in the end is weighing heavily on Dani Poole.

The dynamics of the 2000 election are pretty interesting, the way they are represented here. Al Gore beats George H.W. Bush, and the explanation of how it all happens (in the bonus material) is a fairly interesting swerve on actual history.

Just started watching the episode. I see that Al Gore still won and didn't even carry his home state of Tennessee. Usually if you don't carry your home state, you don't win in the general election.

 

[Aragorn]

If Danny is dead, I say he found the gun and offed himself. If he's still alive, then I don't know what would've happened to him. He's not in the photo of the "Mars survivors."

 

[David cgc]

If Danny is dead, I say he found the gun and offed himself. If he's still alive, then I don't know what would've happened to him. He's not in the photo of the "Mars survivors."

From the timeframe Dani mentioned for how long she had been regretting what happened, and the way she was specifically commiserating with Danny’s wife, I’m guessing that, when the rescue ship was almost there, she laid out exactly how bad things would be for Danny when they got back to Earth, how his disgrace would affect his family, and that they also couldn’t just leave him as a hermit on Mars getting regular shipments of food forever… then told him where to find the pistol and let him decide what to do on his own. No one else blames her for giving him the out, but she blames herself for pushing him into it.

 

[FreezeC77]

I'm not sure I'd buy SENATOR Al Gore of being able to become the nominee, but I get they wanted to play with the 2000 election and spin it a different way.

Al Gore does not get the 2000 Democrat nominee position in our timeline without having been the Vice President of the most popular Democrat since JFK (at that point in time)

I'll put some of the more important plot stuff in spoiler

Spoiler

Really sad to see Grigori die. Would have loved to see more of him through this season. Sad that he went out in an accident that didn't even accomplish anything.

Aleida looks like she's suffering from PTSD. I wonder if the 'spring' comment to Margo is indicating some type of 'spring revolution' to come in the Soviet Union.

 

[Kraig]

I'm not sure I'd buy SENATOR Al Gore of being able to become the nominee, but I get they wanted to play with the 2000 election and spin it a different way.

Al Gore does not get the 2000 Democrat nominee position in our timeline without having been the Vice President of the most popular Democrat since JFK (at that point in time)

I'll put some of the more important plot stuff in spoiler

Spoiler

Really sad to see Grigori die. Would have loved to see more of him through this season. Sad that he went out in an accident that didn't even accomplish anything.

Aleida looks like she's suffering from PTSD. I wonder if the 'spring' comment to Margo is indicating some type of 'spring revolution' to come in the Soviet Union.

I'll answer your spoiler with what I think might be happening.

Spoiler: One spoiler deserves another

I agree with Aleida having PTSD caused by the earlier terrorist bombing at NASA.

I'm thinking the woman feeding birds might be a CIA operative making initial contact to turn Margo into a US asset to spy on the USSR's space program. The number Margo got may be a ticket back to the US if Margo gives the CIA some important intelligence on the USSR's intentions.

 

[Jedi Marso]

I'm not sure I'd buy SENATOR Al Gore of being able to become the nominee, but I get they wanted to play with the 2000 election and spin it a different way.

Al Gore does not get the 2000 Democrat nominee position in our timeline without having been the Vice President of the most popular Democrat since JFK (at that point in time)

I'll put some of the more important plot stuff in spoiler

Spoiler

Really sad to see Grigori die. Would have loved to see more of him through this season. Sad that he went out in an accident that didn't even accomplish anything.

Aleida looks like she's suffering from PTSD. I wonder if the 'spring' comment to Margo is indicating some type of 'spring revolution' to come in the Soviet Union.

Yeah, the Gore stuff didn't make much sense that way, but I can see them wanting to keep to 'known' politicians rather than spinning off into unknowns. I thought the Gary Hart 2-term presidency was a huge stretch.

Spoiler

Also sad to see Kuz eat it.

Aleida definitely appears to be suffering from PTSD. It'll be interesting to see where they go with this, and whether she stays at NASA or hits the private sector. Or even goes to Mars.

 

[Jedi Marso]

I'll answer your spoiler with what I think might be happening.

Spoiler: One spoiler deserves another

I'm thinking the woman feeding birds might be a CIA operative making initial contact to turn Margo into a US asset to spy on the USSRs space program. The number Margo got may be a ticket back to the US if Margo gives the CIA some important intelligence on the USSR's intentions.

Spoiler

With Glasnost and a partially capitalistic economy going on in the USSR, I don't see the potential for civil unrest there. If they want Margo's character to remain relevant, however, they are going to have to come up with something interesting.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Because of a late work night, I was forced to choose between the Loki finale and the For All Mankind premiere...and I went with the former. I only just got the chance to watch the premiere tonight but it was well worth the wait.

Pretty solid opener where we get to see where everyone is at now and meet some of the new key players. I'm particularly keen on Toby Kebbell's Miles Dale and I like how the show is positioning former oil rig workers as hard-up blue collars heading into space for new opportunities, regardless of the risks. I'm very curious to see that plot thread plays out.

As tragic as Grigori's death is, I have to say I saw it coming a mile away. Just something about that mission screamed "things are about to get real bad fast" and I figured someone of "importance" would die. That said, I was greatly bothered how the newscasts all kept saying "Grigori died...and so did someone other nameless guy." What the fuck is that shit?

But on the plus side, that means the inevitable clashing of Ed and Danielle can commence yet again. That's always fun to watch!

Seeing all of the tributes to Molly Cobb were beautiful and heartbreaking. Still the best character of the whole damn show. Along with...

Still not sure what to expect with Margo's storyline but I definitely feel like we've fallen smack in the middle of a John Le Carré novel and that can only be a good thing in my mind!

Lastly, the most amusing part of the prologue news sequence was seeing Michael Jordan leading the Marines to a division title! Riiiiiggghhhhht!

 

[Tuskin38]

The news reel at the start of the episode has Harvey Weinstein arrested in 1999
here's a break down of other stuff
https://www.reddit.com/r/ForAllMank...?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

WILSON, BUSH TRIUMPH IN CLOSE ELECTION OVER GOVERNOR BROWN

• Power Shift in Senate, GOP Gains Momentum. Democrats Fighting to Keep control of House.
  

In our timeline Jerry Brown was twice governor of California in the 1970s and 2010s. He challenged Carter in the primaries, and went for the nomination a couple more times.

M7 - TREATY TO EXPAND MARS COLONY
Flags of USSR, US, Japan, China, North Korea, India, ? presumably EU

LAWSUIT MAY LEAD TO JOBS ON MOON

Machine Beats Man
In OTL, this was in 1997. To the right is an article which mentions AIDS, PEPFAR (OTL 2003 Presidential Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief). It also mentions Mbeki, who was an AIDS denialist in OTL. I don't think he is here.

UK SAYS GOODBYE - China takes control of Hong Kong after handover.

Mike Tyson bites ear

HELIOS CEO ANNOUNCES NEW ENGINE travel to Mars shortened to a month or two.

HOMECOMING - Mars Astronauts Return Safely to Earth After 2 Years
Danny isn't mentioned or pictured with the crew

Mariners, Jordan Reach Divisional Round

Hilton Opens first hotel on the moon

JSC Bombers found guilty

Pain Telescope to Identify and Map Asteroids
Seems to be the James Webb, about 2 decades early.

ABC renews Ellen for 6th season
OTL - it only got 5

Ex-Governor Clinton's Wife Files for Divorce

Wilson Signs Marriage Inclusion Act leagalising same sex marriage

Mars Baby turns 3

Clint Eastwood stars in Race to Mars

Mars base can manufacture Aluminium

1999 - Harvey Weinstein charged with sexual assault.

New version of Concorde, capable of reaching LEO

Kubrick dies aged 70
NYT bestseller list 1.: Recharged - how an autoworkers son saved Crysler. 2 & 3 books about The Greatest Generation that came of age during WW2

JFK Jr kicks of senate run
Yankees play Braves in world series
Moon workers strike enters second week

(German) Year 2000 Bug paralyses computer in International Space Station
New Laws for the New Year

Dev Ayesa starts new robotics company

Gores Super Tuesday Come back
Gore beats Bush 273:264, wins Florida

Ellen Wilson gets married

Insurgents sieze key buildings in Riyadh

John Lennon Rocks Super Bowl 34

Reality TV - the Osbornes, Moon Miners, Survivor

Economic Boom in USSR - Gorbachov reforms transform the soviet ecoonomy

Gore declares Cold War over

 

[Kraig]

The news reel at the start of the episode has Harvey Weinstein arrested in 1999
here's a break down of other stuff
NYT bestseller list 1.: Recharged - how an autoworkers son saved Crysler. 2 & 3 books about The Greatest Generation that came of age during WW2

The author of autobiography Recharged is the man that President Al Gore selected as NASA Administrator (Eli Hobson). A copy of his book is next to the Sougurner mission boots worn by Commander Danelle Poole.

 

[Jedi Marso]

Looks like smart phones or something very much like them have shown up about a decade early. Aleida has one.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Oh, that reminds me, I forgot to mention: Daniel Stern! I can't remember if we (or I) knew that and I completely forgot about it, but I was thrilled to see him pop up and as cast member!

 

[Sci]

Spoiler

With Glasnost and a partially capitalistic economy going on in the USSR, I don't see the potential for civil unrest there.

Spoiler: S4E1

I do. Capitalism creates winners and losers; it divides people up into owners of the means of production and those who must sell their labor to survive. Without a strong social-democratic aspect and systems of wealth redistribution, capitalism ultimately impoverishes a majority to enrich a minority. That's why the history of capitalism is a history of civil unrest and state violence to enforce its class system. If the USSR is transitioning into capitalism rather than a social-democratic or market socialist system, there's plenty of potential for unrest and conflict between the emerging capitalist class and old party dictatorship/planned economy hardliners.

I'm particularly keen on Toby Kebbell's Miles Dale and I like how the show is positioning former oil rig workers as hard-up blue collars heading into space for new opportunities, regardless of the risks. I'm very curious to see that plot thread plays out.

I really like this idea of seeing space colonization from more than just the elites' points of view, yeah. I suspect class warfare on Mars is going to be a thing.

That said, I was greatly bothered how the newscasts all kept saying "Grigori died...and so did someone other nameless guy." What the fuck is that shit?

I think that's intentional, though. In the course of the series, we've started to see an emerging class system of "space elites" and their families -- the Baldwins and the Stevenses, in particular. As more and more people emigrate to Happy Valley who are not big-shot astronauts/cosmonauts, we're starting to see the emergence of a nascent class system. And the way the other victim of the asteroid disaster was virtually ignored is pretty indicative of that, I think.

Seeing all of the tributes to Molly Cobb were beautiful and heartbreaking. Still the best character of the whole damn show. Along with...

100% my favorite character on the whole show.

Still not sure what to expect with Margo's storyline but I definitely feel like we've fallen smack in the middle of a John Le Carré novel and that can only be a good thing in mind!

 

[FPAlpha]

Just watched and man i am so happy the show is back and started off with a very solid opener.

The scene landing on the asteroid got me smiling so much and a little misty eyed. It was perfect and exemplifies the core of why this show works and is so brilliant.

After that high we are immediately slammed to the ground when we see how far Margo has fallen, that was brutal and hard to watch but it seems the show is not done with her. Who's the lady? KGB, CIA or something else entirely? Very cool setup.

Ed was looking very rough, both external and internal. I think he's been up there for far too long, probably running/keeping away from all the bad things that happened in his life, chief amongst them probably the death of Karen last season and what may have happened to Danny. As we haven't gotten even a glimpse of what happened with him i figure it must have been very hard on everybody involved.

I love that they're bringing in new characters in an organic way and i already like Dale and where he starts off, that will be interesting so see what a "regular" persion is doing up there alongside all the NASA high achieving superpeople. I also love to see how technological advances impact people given that fusion energy is readily available making oil and gas drilling obsolete putting millions out of work and struggling. It is good that we get to see a character as a stand in for that development.

Aleida is also in a very rough shape but understandable after what she went through, i hope she'll get help soon to deal with her trauma but she has to take the first step on her own and actually ask for help, that will certainly be something they will explore this season.

I had to pause the initial history recap multiple times to get it all - Lennon lives, Gore won, first female AND gay president ( doubt i'll ever see that combo in my lifetime). Sometimes i really wish i would live in that lifetime.

The next weeks will be fantastic and i look forward to discussing each episode here.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I really like this idea of seeing space colonization from more than just the elites' points of view, yeah. I suspect class warfare on Mars is going to be a thing.

Yup, same here. It's another aspect that the show reflects from Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy and I'm all here for it.

I think that's intentional, though. In the course of the series, we've started to see an emerging class system of "space elites" and their families -- the Baldwins and the Stevenses, in particular. As more and more people emigrate to Happy Valley who are not big-shot astronauts/cosmonauts, we're starting to see the emergence of a nascent class system. And the way the other victim of the asteroid disaster was virtually ignored is pretty indicative of that, I think.

I highly suspect you're right that it's intentional. But it still greatly bothered me, especially as someone who works in public affairs.

Aleida is also in a very rough shape but understandable after what she went through, i hope she'll get help soon to deal with her trauma but she has to take the first step on her own and actually ask for help, that will certainly be something they will explore this season.

I forgot to mention Aleida's trauma in my review but I agree with what you said. I do find it curious that it's been seven years and she hasn't done anything to seek out help yet. For all of this alternate history's technological and sociological advances, they're still quite behind on mental health treatment. That's been a running theme since the beginning, especially with Ed, so I'm looking forward to seeing how the show handles Aleida's struggles.

 

[David cgc]

I highly suspect you're right that it's intentional. But it still greatly bothered me, especially as someone who works in public affairs.

Isn't that kind of headline-news coverage to be expected when a celebrity dies with one or more non-celebrities? We only saw the initial breaking news and then a Soviet newscast that seemed to be Kuznetsov's obituary. I'm sure that in-universe, the full stories would say something about Tom Parker. Indeed, in the context we saw of the American report, it seemed unclear if Parker's name had even been released yet, or if NASA/Roscosmos/Helios themselves were even certain who the second astronaut who'd gone outside was. It sounded like the news had just broken moments earlier, and the space agencies were still putting together even basic information about the disaster.

Thinking back to similar events, like when Kobe Bryant or Princess Diana died, especially the very first reports, I don't think that the private citizens with them were immediately referenced by name in the banner headline or TV lower-third, and I know there are practices about publicly announcing deaths in the news before the person's family is informed directly, which lead to only partial lists of victims in the news for hours or even days after a catastrophe like this.

 

[Jedi Marso]

Ed was looking very rough, both external and internal. I think he's been up there for far too long, probably running/keeping away from all the bad things that happened in his life, chief amongst them probably the death of Karen last season and what may have happened to Danny. As we haven't gotten even a glimpse of what happened with him i figure it must have been very hard on everybody involved.

I think Ed and Molly were cut from the same cloth- neither one of them wants to be on Earth, in their inner hearts. They aren't just astronauts, but pioneers. Molly wasn't able to manage it, and she still had ties on Earth in the form of her husband. Ed has managed it, and I believe his destiny will be to be the first human to die of natural causes on another planet. Obviously he has something medical going on, which he is hiding. I can also see why he doesn't want to go back- what is there on Earth for him now, really? Plus, the elephant in the room is whether or not his body could stand it after 9-10 years in .38-g. Earth is 2.5 gees to his physiology, now. He could probably adjust back but it would suck.

I wonder if Kelly is still an astronaut in some form, or if she gave it up to raise her kid. I kind of wondered if they would make him the first 'space kid,' but Happy Valley is still very much a Mars base vs. a colony.

I love that they're bringing in new characters in an organic way and i already like Dale and where he starts off, that will be interesting so see what a "regular" persion is doing up there alongside all the NASA high achieving superpeople. I also love to see how technological advances impact people given that fusion energy is readily available making oil and gas drilling obsolete putting millions out of work and struggling. It is good that we get to see a character as a stand in for that development.

I'm looking forward to seeing where they go with this.

Aleida is also in a very rough shape but understandable after what she went through, i hope she'll get help soon to deal with her trauma but she has to take the first step on her own and actually ask for help, that will certainly be something they will explore this season.

Given the signal delays, I think it would be interesting if they established some sort of 'Mission Control' on Mars, and Aleida got to go. They need to do something interesting with her other than make her Margo 2.0, especially if she is supposed to be the one person who links the series from beginning to end across 5-7 decades.

I had to pause the initial history recap multiple times to get it all - Lennon lives, Gore won, first female AND gay president ( doubt i'll ever see that combo in my lifetime). Sometimes i really wish i would live in that lifetime.

The next weeks will be fantastic and i look forward to discussing each episode here.

I think it's cool that they built on a past change: Lennon lives, and now, years later, he plays a Superbowl halftime performance. Love the little touches like that. And I agree- the hardest thing for me about this show is the sense of being cheated- that this was the world we were supposed to get, not the shit show we actually live in. Not that it's perfect, but it is undeniably better- For All Mankind.

 

[Jedi Marso]

I think the point at which we'll see Happy Valley go from 'mining rig' to 'colony' will be when the first family moves to Mars: both parents working for Helios or something, and they are allowed to take their kid(s) with them. That is a possibility now that the base is starting to open up to 'the average joe' in terms of jobs, and travel time one-way has been knocked down to a month.

One thing I'd like to see introduced this season or next is constant-acceleration spacecraft, like the Expanse. Accelerate halfway there, turn-over, and decelerate the other half. That'll knock travel times down to days. In fact, the 31-day transit engine may already involve that (at very low accelerations), although we haven't seen it in action yet.

Plus more solar sail boosts. That was too neat an idea for a one-and-done on Sojourner.