For All Mankind — Series 5 Episode 10 — “This Land Is Our Land” — A Review

8th September, 2026.

“This Land Is Our Land”.

The Introduction.

It’s got to be said, there’s a certain amount of irony to when I’ve started this post.

Yes: it’s Star Trek Day: as mentioned in today’s Daily Teaser.

The irony?

Is simply in the one fact: that I’m going to be watching “This Land Is Our Land”, the tenth and last episode of For All Mankind’s fifth season, tonight.

And will start watching the fourth season of  Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, next week: at the earliest.

So, yeah … 

Irony … 

~≈🚀≈~

Irony, aside … ?

Irony, aside, it’s a Tuesday evening: so I’ll be having dinner, then watching “This Land Is Our Land”.

And … ?

Letting you know what I thought, by Saturday.

I can only hope, right now, it’s worth the wait!

~≈🚀≈~

9th September, 2026.

Part One.

The Summary.

Episode 10 — “This Land Is Our Land” — opens with scenes of confusion: as the people of Happy Valley try to organise their homes in the face of an M-6 invasion: as the colony’s leader, Miles Dale (Tony Kebbell) sends out a desperate message telling people where to go.

At his shoulder is Governor Leonid Polivanov (Costa Ronin): along side the rest of the Council that govern the base.

The group knows it will have to take drastic action: by taking out the M-6 forces in their improvised command centre.

They can only do that by flooding the place with extra oxygen, then setting it alight.

If they can find the place.

To do that?   The group needs some one who’s feeling quick, brave … and remarkably like a volunteer.

Governor Polivanov … is just the man … 

~≈🚀≈~

After the titles roll, the scene changes: to show us the Away One mission — Kelly, Walt and Elena (Cynthy Wu, Christopher Denham and Kristina Klebe) — are very aware they have good news, and bad news.

The good news?

Is that yes: there is life on Titan, and they have a sample to take home.

The bad news?

All three of them will have to walk to where they will be picked up by the ship that will take them home, as the vehicle that’s got them here is no longer working.

The really bad news … ?

The three of them will have to walk … despite the fact there’s only enough oxygen for two … 

~≈🚀≈~

Part Two.

About The Episode.

Now … what did I make of both “This Land Is Our Land”: and the series it’s the climax to?

Let’s start with the episode, shall we?

I mentioned how earlier episodes were tense: very tense in some cases.

“Brave New World”, in particular.

“This Land Is Our Land”?

Carries on that tradition.

The opening scene, for example,  shows us that the apparent defection of Governor Polivanov is a ruse: to get the Leonid into the M-6 command post, so it can be found and destroyed … then shows us what happens when the Governor tries to get out of post with an angry Ilya in tow!

Edge of the seat?

Oh, yes.

Then … ?

There’s the button … 

I’ve told you how Leonid has sneaked his way in to the M-6 command point: and how Leonid’s attempt’s to escape had me glued to my seat, with my eyes glued to the screen.

So did the immediate consequences.

Miles asks the relevant controller, Tim (James Michael McHale), to hit the button, the button that will set off a spark that will ignite the command post’s air, and kill every one in it.

Tim … ?   Refuses the order, as he doesn’t deaths on his conscience.

So Miles, after some hesitation … ?

Miles does the deed.

Yes: edge of the seat.

Very edge of the seat.

Then there’s Titan.

We see Kelly, Walt and Elena buoyed by the fact they’re finally discovered life … but deflated by one simple fact: getting the evidence home meant walking to the pickup point.

The tension?

Comes from a little thing: the pause, before the team realise that only two of them are going home … 

~≈🚀≈~

11th September, 2026.

Part Three.

A Quote.

There’s something I think I should mention: a quote.

I’ve only been including them in my Daily Teaser quizzes for a decade, after all.

It’s a relatively simple one, something Irina tells Miles, early in the cold open:

“War is simply politics by other means.”

It’s an old sentiment, one that dates back to Carl von Clausewitz:

“War is the continuation of policy with other means.”

It’s an clinical little phrase, isn’t it?

And one I’ve heard, before: usually attributed to the likes of Josef Stalin, or Mao Zedong.

The reason I mention it?

Was simply this: it was a phrase, a sentiment, I recognised, one that applied to the situation … and something I learnt a little about, when I looked it up.

I think I owe the writers of this episode a vote of thanks: for telling me something I didn’t know.

~≈🚀≈~

Part Four.

Thoughts.

So … what did I make of this episode: of “This Land Is Our Land”?

There are times when a series finale is something of a let down.

“Fire from the Gods”, for example, the last episode of The Man in the High Castle.

Was distinctly underwhelming.

As was “The Real Monsters”, the last episode of Alien: Earth: as wonderful as most of the series was, as nasty as the Adrian Edmondson character was, the final episode of Alien: Earth, series one … 

Fell distinctly flat: especially the last five minutes or so.

By contrast, “This Land Is Our Land” is fantastic: from the cold opening, it pulled me into the story it was telling, told us of Kelly Baldwin’s sad end, showed us Alex’s coming of age … and showed us, at the end of the episode, shows us Miles being formally named as Happy Valley’s leader.

“This Land Is Our Land” may not be a superb episode, or a great series finale.

But it’s a very well made episode: and fills the role of finale, very well.

“This Land Is Our Land”

★★★☆

~≈🚀≈~

Part Five.

About the Series.

With that said … ?

What did I make of series five, as a whole?

What can I tell you … ?

I suspect there’s not a lot I can add to what I’ve already said.

But one thing I should mention is that word: tense.

Tense.

Series five has been tense.

All the way from Ed Baldwin’s cancer diagnoses in early episode, all the way to the final battle, and Alex’s hand delivered cease-fire orders in the last minutes of this climactic episode.

Series five of For All Mankind has been a dramatic thing to watch: and leaves me looking forward to season six, the show’s last series.

Roll on its release in 2027: it’s got a lot to live up to.

Episode 1    “First Light”    ★★★☆

Episode 2    “The Hard Six”    ★★★☆

Episode 3    “Home”    ★★★★

Episode 4    “Open Source”    ★★☆☆

Episode 5    “Svoboda”    ★★★☆

Episode 6    “No Sudden Moves”    ★★★★

Episode 7    “The Sirens of Titan”    ★★★★

Episode 8    “Brave New World”    ★★★★⁺

Episode 9    “Sons and Daughters”    ★★★☆

Episode 10    “This Land Is Our Land”    ★★★☆

~≈🚀≈~

Part Six.

And Finally.

That … ?

Is when I’m going to leave things for now.

I’m going to be reviewing the fourth season of Star Trek: Strange News Worlds, in the not too distant future: the puppet episode looks totally daft!

You, and I, have something to look forward to!

I’ll probably try and catch a movie, at some point: there’s a few doing the rounds I’d like see.

So … ?

I’m going to close this post, the same way I always do.

I’ll thank you for reading this.

I’m ask you to subscribe to my YouTube channel: you’ll see new content when I post it.

Feel free to try the Daily Teasers.

Feel free to tip: every penny helps.

And if you’ve enjoyed what I’m doing … ?

Come back, next time.

We’ll both find out what I’m doing … !

For All Mankind — Series 5 Episode 9 — “Sons and Daughters” — A Review

1st September, 2026.

“Sons and Daughters”.

The Introduction.

Right at the moment, I am desperately staving off earworms.

I’ve had the theme to vintage Australian soap, Sons and Daughters, earworming its way through my head for approximately a week, now.

Because … ?

Because, right now, I’m cremating a burger for dinner: and will be making home made chips to go with it, any minute now.

There might even be vegetables, as well.

The reason I say that … ?

Is that it’s Tuesday.

So I’m going watching the next episode of For All Mankind’s fifth series, after dinner.

And, given I’ve been aware the episode’s called “Sons and Daughters”, since last week?

I’ve had an earworm.

At any rate … ?

I’ll be watching “Sons and Daughters”, tonight.

And, hopefully?

Will have my review up by this coming Friday.

Assuming the burger isn’t too crispy!

~≈🪐≈~

For All Mankind — Series 4 Episode 10 — “Perestroika” — A Review

15th January, 2024: the introduction!

Right then … 

As I type — write? create? — this post, I’ve got an air fryer cooking some potatoes behind me.

Ones that will go very well with the sausages and vegetables I’ve got doing.

You’d possibly guessed I’m cooking: especially if you’ve been following my For All Mankind posts for a while.

At any rate: I’m doing dinner.

Then … ?

I’ll be watching the tenth — and last — episode of For All Mankind’s fourth series.

I’ll have this post — and its video equivalent — published late tomorrow: 16th January.

I’d love to hear what you think: both about the series, and my reviews!

~≈👾≈~

For All Mankind — Series 4 Episode 9 — “Brazil” — A Review

8th January, 2024: the introduction.

Yes: we’re back to relative normal, now Christmas and New Year is over.

It’s back to watching a TV show on a Monday evening: and posting the reviews by the next day.

It’s also back to going to my weight management class on a Monday morning.

And?

Surprisingly, I’ve actually lost a kilo!

We’ll have to see what happens, next Monday.

~≈🚀≈~

At any rate?

It’s Monday, 8th January, and?

Once I’ve had dinner, I’ll be watching “Brazil”, the next episode of For All Mankind’s fourth series: then writing about it, tomorrow.

I’ll see you then!

~≈🚀≈~

For All Mankind — Series 4 Episode 8 — “Legacy” — A Review

30th December, 2023: an introduction!

Right … 

Is it Chicken Kiev … or Chicken Kyiv?

The war in Ukraine is such that we show our support for one or the other side by spelling the name of the dish — and the city — as Kiev: the Russian way.

Or Kyiv, the Ukrainian way.

Either way … ?

I don’t know that it matters, much, right here and now.

What matters?

Is simply the fact that — once I’ve eaten the one I’m having for dinner? — I’ll be watching “Legacy”, the next episode of For All Mankind.

Then telling you all about it!

~≈🪐≈~

For All Mankind — Series 4 Episode 7 — “Crossing the Line” — A Review

23rd December, 2023: an introduction.

Right … it’s Saturday night as I write this.

And?

Once again, I’m using the back-up laptop to do so.

It’s not a nice experience: but will do for now.

Until my iMac gets back from the repair shop.

I’ve spoken to the shop: and it could well be ready, tomorrow.

The place is a short train journey away.

On a day when the trains aren’t running!

Heigh-ho!

~≈🛸≈~

At any rate?

It’s Saturday.

And ... ?

As I’m going to be watching Dr Who on Monday, I’m going to be watching “Crossing the Line”, the next episode of For All Mankind, tonight.

Then telling you about it, tomorrow evening!

Hopefully, I'll see you then!

~≈🛸≈~

For All Mankind — Series 4 Episode 6 — “Leningrad” — A Review

18th December, 2023: the Introduction.

Right ... it's Monday.

And ... ?

Dinner is, as ever, cooking: steak and chips.

With vegetables.

Frankly?

I'm worried.

Because I'm very aware that the introduction video on this post ... isn't up to my usual standard.

Basically?

My usual daily driver -- a 21.5", 2017 iMac -- is being repaired: and it's going to cost a fortune to do.

Times are tough: and I hate to ask.

But, if you can help, financially -- by pressing this link, or pressing the Donate button in the sidebar -- I'd appreciate.

~≈🛸≈~

At any rate?

It's Monday, 18th December, the last of the cards are posted -- after forgetting to take them with me, when I went out -- dinner's doing, and?

I'm going to be watching “Leningrad”, the sixth episode of For All Mankind's fourth series, tonight.

And publishing this review, tomorrow: on the 19th December.

Hopefully?

I'll see you then!

~≈🛸≈~

For All Mankind — Series 4 Episode 5 — “Goldilocks” — A Review

11th December, 2023: an introduction and announcement.

Right … 

I’m writing this — as I always do — on a Monday evening: as potatoes are boiling.

And now in the oven.

Yep: I’m making my own chips.

At any rate … ?

I’m doing dinner.

And, once that — and tonight’s I’m Sorry, I Haven’t A Clue listened to — I’ll be watching “Goldilocks”, the next episode of For All Mankind’s fourth series.

I’ll have my written and video reviews up, tomorrow night!

I’ll see you then … 

~≈🛸≈~

For All Mankind — Series 4 Episode 4 — “House Divided” — A Review

4th December, 2023: the Introduction.

Right … it’s now officially Monday!

In case you hadn’t guessed.

And?

Yes: that means potatoes are being boiled … and dinner prepared.

And possibly another video or two, being cut.

At any rate: it’s Monday, and I’m going to be watching “House Divided”: the next episode of For All Mankind.

By the time you’re reading this?

It’s be the 5th December: hopefully, you’ll be enjoying my review!

~≈🚀≈~

For All Mankind — Series 4 Episode 3 — “The Bear Hug” — A Review

27th November, 2023: the introduction … !

It’s official: I’ve started this Monday.

Which you’ve possibly either;

• Worked out.
• Or got confused by!

Especially if you’re not reading this on a Monday!

At any rate … ?

I’m running on a lack of food, not enough exercise … and little sleep.

I’m going to try and deal with one of those: dinner’s cooking, as we speak.

Sausages, so you know!

Once that’s eaten?

I’ll be watching “The Bear Hug”, the next episode of For All Mankind.

I’ll have my review up, tomorrow.

~≈🌙≈~

For All Mankind — Series 4 Episode 2 — “Have a Nice Sol” — A Review

20th November, 2023: the Intro.

Yes: it’s officially Monday.

And potatoes are being boiled.

Quite what I’ll have with them, I don’t know: I fancy chicken kyiv … but don’t actually have any!

What I do have … ?

Is slightly blurred vision.

That’s a result of a diabetic retinopathy test, earlier today.

Here’s hoping the results are good.

~≈👁️≈~

At any rate?

But the time I’ve finished dinner?

I’ll be ready to watch “Have a Nice Sol”, the next episode of For All Mankind, tonight.

I’ll have my review up, tomorrow.

I’ll see you then … 

~≈🚀≈~

Rock N Rolla — Modern Times Rock and Roll

Or perhaps I should say Modern Times “RockNRolla”, perhaps, considering tonight’s movie was the Guy Ritchie directed flick; – one largely penned by him, as well.

And certainly up to Mr Ritchie’s usual standard.

Or formula, I should say.

It’s definitely formulaic.

And, to the point, Guy Ritchie maybe needs to widen his horizons, a little.

After all, myself, Adrian and Allison were all sitting there spotting thing’s he’d done before, or had lifted from elsewhere – paralleling Bricktop’s “Pig” monologue in “Snatch”, with a speech from Lenny, about crayfish being a good example of the former.   And as for the painting …

But that characteristic London based cast is there, although not the usual Ritchie rep company.

It did feature some competent performances: Toby Kebbell did rather well as the dysfunctional AWOL rock-star, Johnny Quid, “The Long Firms” Mark Strong giving a solid performance as Archie, and I’ve got to give Thandiwe* Newton credit as Stella, here, as the token female character.   Ms Newton put in a sterling performance as a dodgy accountant, but I personally think the character, or the actress, wasn’t necessarily used to the fullest; – women in Guy Ritchie films are usually strong, but only briefly seen, and it struck me that either the script or the actress was struggling to make an impact.

Gerald Butler, Tom Hardy, and Idris Elba as 1-2, Handsome Bob and Mumbles, on the other hand, formed the basis of most of the humour of the film, and much of the central action: most of a third of the film is about them working for the Thandiwe Newton character, and what happens as a result.

Which is complicated, but boils down to a property scam run by the Tom Wilkinson character, Lenny Cole.   I won’t go into too much detail, here, but for me, it does make it worth watching, again.   I’d be able to appreciate it, a little better.

One thing I’m sure of, though, is that it seem there’s a sequel planned.   Whether it’ll be up to the standards of some of Guy Ritchie’s earlier work remains to be seen.

After all, as entertaining and funny as I found this, it could have done with a bit more work.   It was competent, rather than the riveting stuff we know “Lock, Stock…” and “Snatch” to be.

One thing I feel sure of, is that it’s possibly the Guy Ritchie equivalent to the tax album.

He does have alimony to pay off, after all …

*        Ms Newton’s reverted to the Shona spelling of her name.