For All Mankind — Series 4 Episode 1 — “Glasnost” — A Review

13th November, 2023: the Introduction.

It’s officially official: it’s a Monday evening.

And yes: dinner is on the go.

Or, at least, roast spuds and a piece of chicken!

But, with that cooked and eaten, and a video about comics, watched?

I’ll be sitting in with “Glasnost”, the first episode of For All Mankind’s fourth series, then … ?

Telling you about it, tomorrow night.

Now … 

Read on … 

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14th November, 2023: the review.

Episode 1 — “Glasnost” — opens with a flashback to earlier series: giving us a summary before moving on.

That summary tells us it’s now 2003, that Lennon survived the assassination attempt, the Soviet Union never fell, and that President Wilson (Jodi Balfour) was replaced as President, by Al Gore.

It also shows us the Happy Valley Base on Mars: and its vital position for joint missions between the US, the Soviet Union and Helios Aerospace.

The latest mission, the one that opens this episode?

Is a mission led by Grigory Kuznetsov (Lev Gorn): to attach an engine to an asteroid in low Mars orbit, so it can be taken back to Mars, and broken up for resources.

That mission goes disastrously wrong.

Back on Earth?

We see three threads being started.

We see Margo (Wrenn Schmidt), now living in the USSR: frustrated how the Russian Space Agency seems to be ignoring her.

We’re introduced to Miles (Toby Kebble), an oil rig worker who wants a job as a miner on the Moon: but desperate enough to accept one on Mars.

And we find Danielle (Krys Marshall) dealing with NASA’s administrator, Eli Hobson (Daniel Stern).   Administrator Hobson has a job for Danielle …

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Now … What DID I make of “Glasnost”?

Of this opening episode?

It has to be said that — arguably? — For All Mankind is something of a soap opera.

Focused on love affairs and arguments as much as anything else

I think I can be swayed, there: as the show’s focus seems as much on those, as much as the science or history.

Between lovers, ex-lovers, families and co-workers.

That?

Is something “Glasnost” reminds us of: in the exchanges between Ed Baldwin (Joel Kinnaman) and his daughter, Kelly (Cynthy Wu).

But this episode of For All Mankind reminds us the show is capable of big science: and big drama, as well.

As “Glasnost” shows us an joint US/Soviet project that goes badly wrong.

And that its consequences are many.

Not least the death of Grigori Kuznetsov: but also the distrust shown Margo by her new country.

And the panic attacks Aleida (Coral Peña) suffers, after the bombing in season three.

Frankly?

Yes, we can say For All Mankind is a soap, one whose sympathetic characters have drawn us back for another season opener: and let us catch up with some old friends.

But yes: “Glasnost” shows us For All Mankind is still watchable!

“Glasnost”

★★★★

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Just as a final word … ?

Yes: I’ll be watching the next episode, “Have a Nice Sol*”, next week: on 20th November.

I’ll have my written, and video, reviews up on the 21st November.

Hopefully?

I’ll see you then.

*        A sol is a Martian day: it’s 24 hours, 39 minutes and 35 seconds long.