If the Space Race Never Ended
What makes Ronald D. Moore's "Mankind" work
Format: TV Series
Executive Producer: Ronald D. Moore
Where to watch: Apple TV
All I knew about For All Mankind going in was that it was an alternative history show about if the space race between Russia and the US had never ended, but since it has recently started its fourth season, I figured it must be doing something right. Then when I saw Ronald D. Moore’s name on the opening credits, I knew I was probably going to really enjoy this one. I can confirm after finishing the first season that at least that much of it is great television.
I became a fan of Moore’s when I watched the remake of Battlestar Galactica in the early 2000’s. That series ran for four seasons, and it was revolutionary in the genre of adult science fiction shows. It was one of the first shows that did a really good job of using a high quality science fiction setting as a backdrop and catalyst for dramatic storytelling.
While BSG was not flawless, it paved the way for more serious science fiction dramas in the decades to follow. It went beyond the limited scope of soundstage sets and lower budget special effects used in still admirable shows like the various Star Trek series (some of which Moore wrote for.) Effects and cinematics would all fall under Aristotle’s definition of “spectacle”, though (the least important element to creating great tragedy), so there was obviously much more at work that made it a success. What Moore and his team excelled at was exceptional writing for top-tier actors.
In an interview with one of the actors, they summed up what made BSG great storytelling in a way I have never forgotten. They said, “What made Battlestar great storytelling was that it explored why good people sometimes do bad things.” (I’m paraphrasing, of course.I don’t remember who it was that said it at this point. I think I might have heard Edward James Olmos or Mary McDonnell say it at a convention.)
For All Mankind carries on that same type of internal drama within the context of very high stakes external environments. While the first season follows the events of Russia and the United states competing to establish bases on the moon, the drama centers on the relationships of the astronauts, their spouses, the command center workers, and the tangential lives of regular people who are just watching it all happen from the sidelines.
The show delivers spectacularly on some very tense situations that arise when things go wrong in space. However, I think its most enlightening moments are when it explores how the motivations of geo-political forces impact the lives of these characters both internally and in their personal relationships. There are some really fascinating storylines that explore things like how the American political machines weigh in on NASA engineering and the role of ex-German scientists working in the space program.
I am only one season in, but I am looking forward to seeing the rest of the series. I never got to watch Moore’s Outlander series, either, but from what I hear from my mom, it is also great. So after I’m done with this one, I may have to go take some time to watch that one as well. He hasn’t let me down so far, and I don’t think you will be let down either whether historical science fiction is your thing or not.
Sterling Martin is a writer, artist, and designer living in Chicago, IL. His background includes drawing, writing, theatre, teaching, improv & sketch comedy, and whatever else he can get his hands on to be creative. You can find him on the internet at:
Instagram: @sterfest.art (but it’s really starting to test my patience)
Website: sterlingmartin.design
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Added to my “To Watch” list. 👍