Apple TV has established itself as the leading platform for science fiction television, especially with its major hits, such as Silo and Pluribus, which are firmly in that genre. The key to this recent rise in science fiction can be traced back to one of Apple TV’s earliest series, For All Mankind. Created by Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi, For All Mankind is set in an alternate universe where the Soviet Union triumphs over the United States by landing the first human on the moon. The end result is a well-crafted and strikingly compelling drama that should be on the radar of all sci-fi enthusiasts.
Just how beloved is For All Mankind? The series has received an impressive array of accolades and awards during its run, includinga Saturn Award for its second season. Considering that a Saturn is essentially the genre equivalent of an Academy Award, that’s quite an impressive achievement. What makes it even more remarkable is that this seriesisn’t based on an established franchise like Star Wars or Star Trek. This not only demonstrates that original ideas can still flourish on television, but it also paved the way for Apple TV’s current dominance in the science fiction realm.
‘For All Mankind’ Fully Embraces Its Alternate History
The major draw of For All Mankind is the level of thought put into its depiction of its alternate timeline. The space race between the Soviet Union and the United States took a different course as NASA developed technologies that pushed the boundaries of space travel, including planning manned missions to Mars and establishing colonies on the Red Planet. Certain historical figures also experience a different fate, particularly Soviet engineer Sergei Korolev. While Korolev died prior to the Soviets’ manned moon mission in the 1960s, Ronald D. Moore revealed during an interview with Collider that he lived in For All Mankind‘s timeline, which led to the series’ events.
“Our point of divergence was that Korolev lives, and that somehow, he was able to pull all the bureaucratic pieces together and the technological challenges, and he made their moon landing happen.”
The other major draw of For All Mankind lies in its ensemble cast and how they evolve over time. Perhaps the most significant example is Ed Baldwin (Joel Kinnaman), one of NASA’s top astronauts and the de facto protagonist. As Ed strives to help NASA win the space race, the physical and mental toll it takes on him begins to show over the seasons. He tries to continue flying, even when he’s too old to do so. His relationship with his wife, Karen (Shantel VanSanten), is rocky at best. He even has to witness some of his friends die. Anyone familiar with Moore’s work on Battlestar Galactica knows to expect the unexpected with his work, and For All Mankind is no different, as it puts Ed through significant challenges.
Apple TV’s 10/10 Sci-Fi Show Makes the Case for the Perfect Anti-Binge Watch
The suspense builds with each weekly reveal in this gripping series.
‘For All Mankind’ Is Coming to an End, But Its Legacy Lives On
Season 6 of For All Mankind will be its last, as the series flash-forwards to the 2020s while also dealing with a mysterious message from a recovered Soviet craft. However, Apple TV isn’t finished exploring this alternate history, as it recently launched the spinoff series Star City. Although Star City is set in the same universe as For All Mankind and features much of the same creative talent, it manages to stand on its own by fully delving into the Soviets’ attempts to launch a manned moon mission. Star City shares its parent series’ appeal, as it’s currently enjoying rave reviews and a prominent spot on Apple TV’s Top 10 list.
For All Mankind is a streaming show that more than deserves its overwhelming praise. Not only did it set the stage for Apple TV to delve further into original science fiction, but it’s also woven a long-running narrative that blends science fiction and alternate history into a compelling watch. In an era where streamers often cancel shows before they have a chance to get started, that makes it stand out all the more.
