For All Mankind — Series 2 Episode 1 — Every Little Thing — A Review

6th April, 2021.

It’s got to be said: I like a certain amount of electronica.

So, as you’ll realise from the video intro, there?   You’ll realise I’m (metaphorically) staring at my bed: and the seductive prose of Ursula LeGuin’s The Lathe of Heaven.

It’s my current book at bedtime.

So … ?

I’m repeating something of a pattern: one that works for me.

I’ve watched a TV show.

An episode of For All Mankind — series 2, so you know.

And?

Before I hit the sack — and read another chapter of George Orr’s dreams — I wanted the record to show I’d started writing this review of Every Little Thing.

~≈🌖≈~

7th April, 2021.

Episode 1 — Every Little Thing — is set some ten or so years after A City Upon a Hill: the last episode of series one.

And briefly summarises history, since then: Reagan elected in ’76, Lennon surviving a shooting, John Paul 2nd dying after an assassination, Charles marrying Camilla … 

And the Cold War between the USA and the USSR has a lunar setting.

The scene shifts: and show us Ellen (Jodi Balfour) in the US moonbase, Jamestown: talking to her husband, Larry, over a video link, she’s looking forward to leaving the base in a few days time.

Meanwhile, the rest of the base crew?

Are on the surface: getting ready to watch the twice monthly sunrise*.

Twenty four hours earlier … ?

Twenty four hours earlier, NASA boss, Margo Madison (Wren Schmidt) is preparing fo her day.   With her secretary, Emma (Teya Patt) informing her that General Bradford (John Marshall Jones), the Airforce liaison will appreciate some football tickets.

And that Jamestown base has filed a mining claim.

~≈🌖≈~

The scene shifts, again, as Margot and Emma head for Mission Control.

New astronauts, Helena and Gary (Michaela Conlin and Michael Benz) heading for Ed Baldwin’s office.

Gary has an interview with the Chief of Nasa’s Astronaut Office: as he need Ed’s cooperation to be placed on a mission on the Pathfinder, the next generation of Nasa craft … 

Once the boss thinks he’s ready … 

~≈🌖≈~

With threads moving from the Outpost — the astronaut bar owned by Ed’s wifi, Karen (Shantel VanSanten) — to an after dinner speech given by Gordo (Michael Dorman)?

The scene moves back to Mission Control … and then to Skylab, currently docked with a Space Shuttle.   Where Irish astronaut, Doreen Campbell is sending solar telemetry to Earth.

AND checking the sun … 

Doreen’s spotted a problem.

There’s one hell of a solar flare on the way …  

~≈🌖≈~

Now … 

First things first.

What did I make of this opening episode?

It’s pretty damn good, actually!

It’s reintroduced us to a pile of regular characters.

I found myself identifying Molly, Ed and Gordon, Sonya Walgren, Joel Kinnaman and Micheal Dorman, with reasonable ease: and the rest with minimal introduction.   I’m getting older: so the ease I clocked the regulars is nice!

The effects, the cinematography?   Are great.

I’ve also realised why some of the space shots look familiar: For All Mankind show runner, Ronald D. Moore was the man behind the rebooted Battlestar Galactica.

I think he’s transferred a few cinematographers: the utterly silent space scenes are very familiar.

And frankly?

Every Little Thing has a nice little cliffhanger ending.

I’m going to be watching Episode 8 next Tuesday: I want to make sure Molly gets out alive.

If you’re turned in at the same time?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

*        Assuming I have my figures right!   A lunar day is roughly a fortnight in length.   This picture was taken in 2011.