For All Mankind — Series 5 Episode 1 — “First Light” — A Review

7th July, 2026.

“First Light”.

The Introduction.

It has to be said: there comes a time when tedium will only carry you so far.

Well, not tedium, per se.

But the awareness that there’s only so much on TV: and, therefore?

Only so much you want to talk about.

Of current TV shows?

I’ve binged Slow Horses, and found it entertaining.

I’ve caught the first series of The Blacklist, and found that equally entertaining.

I’ve seen the first episode of the new series of Silo: and been left intrigued.

But, with Dr Who, and Star Trek, off-air?

There’s few series I feel inclined to tell you about.

Or, at least, there hasn’t been, since March, and the last series of Stranger Things.

But … ?

There’s a something things I felt I should start watching: and tell you about.

Yes: the fifth and latest series of AppleTV’s For All Mankind.

I’m going to be watching the first episode, “First Light”, tonight: then posting my written and video review by this Friday.

I’ll see you … in a few days time … 

~≈👾≈~

Part One.

The Summary.

Episode 1 — “First Light” — opens with a summary of history so far.

Now 2012, it’s been some nine Earth years since the theft of the Goldilocks asteroid in series four: and the pre-titles sequence shows us much of the intervening history: and that the Happy Valley Colony on Mars has been expanding.

As part of the expansion?

Mars has a new, Russian, Governor: Leonid Polivanov (Costa Ronin), who is determined to do well for the people of Mars.

And show his face, hosting a graduation ceremony for the Martian student population: including Alex Poletov (Sean Kaufman), the only child of Kelly Baldwin (Cynthy Wu), and only grandchild of veteran spaceman, Ed Baldwin (Joel Kinnaman).

Admiral Baldwin?

Is deeply concerned about his grandson: but reassures his mother, Kelly, that the youngster needs to find himself.

There’s other things happening: the colony’s police force are struggling with everything from vandalism, to planning violations, to suicides, alongside much else.

Including a dead body of an apparent suicide, out in the Martian Badlands.

An apparent suicide that seems to have died from the effects of decompression … but whose eardrums remain unaffected … 

Back on Earth?

Back on Earth, Aleida Rosales, CEO of Helios, is having trouble.

The company shareholders have refused her request for extra funding: vital for exploration of the Solar System’s outer worlds.

And she has to contend with Helios founder, Dev Ayesha (Edi Gathegi): who’s thrown a spanner into the funding works, announcing a new Martian city called Meru.

Aleida has her work cut out for her!

As does Celia (Mireille Enos), of the Mars Peacekeeping force.

As the episode ends, Celia’s break is interrupted.

It seems DNA evidence has been found, on the body found by Alex.

DNA evidence that has identified the killer.

Celia’s boss needs her … to help with the arrest … 

~≈👾≈~

8th July, 2026.

Part Two.

Thoughts.

Now … what did I make of this opening episode … ?

One thing I do know, is that Terry Pratchett’s words about escapism spring to mind when discussing TV shows we enjoy.

Words to the effect that escapism is neither good or bad, in itself: it all depends on whether you’re escaping from, or escaping to, somewhere.

And, in revisiting the world of For All Mankind, I’m escaping to somewhere: seeing old friends, being introduced to their families and catching up with things since my last visit.

Those include finding out that the new (fictional) US President is slightly to the right of the (real) White House: in a way that could be bad for the people of Mars.

I’m also catching with old friends in “First Light”.

I’ve found that Ed’s grandson is a potentially troubled, young man, that Kelly’s search for Martian life is frustratingly fruitless, that Margo and Aleida (Wrenn Schmidt and Coral Peña) are as close as they ever were.

Despite Margo being in a high security prison, after her defection!

“First Light”, like other series openers?

Is one I feel does well: it sets up future episodes, warns of coming events, reminds of the recurring characters, and ends with the arrest of a possibly innocent man, for vile, bloody, murder!

About my only complaint … ?

Is that this episode didn’t mention the Krys Marshall character, Danielle Poole.

The character impressed me, especially in seasons three and four: where her calmness, grace under fire and sheer unflappability, convinced me Ms Marshall was the right choice to play Happy Valley’s leader.

Hopefully?

Hopefully, we’ll see more the character in season five: I’d like to catch up!

~≈👾≈~

Part Three.

An Opinion.

Just as an extra thought or two, here … ?

One character we did see, again, is Ilya, played by Dimiter D. Marinov.

He re-appears in this episode: still running his bar, and complaining that the railings outside the place are being refused planning permission.

It’s a pleasure to see him.

But saddening to hear Ilya’s Bar is now — in universe — legal.

It’s sad … because I always wanted to use the phrase ‘speakeasy’, but never got the chance when writing about series four!

Ho … hum … !

~≈👾≈~

The other thing I want to mention … ?

Was the make up.

I grant you: For All Mankind is not exactly what you call ‘alien-heavy’.

There’s no Klingons, Cardassians, no scale-covered Silurians, in the show: there’s no rubber-covered extras with more latex than lines, in other words.

But … ?

Both Kinnaman and Schmidt have make up that makes their characters look like the 70-somethings they’re supposed to be.

Their make up — along side the comparatively mild make up worn by Coral Peña, to make her character look older — is very well done.

Not quite on a par with Karen Gillan’s, in “The Girl Who Waited”.

But certainly very good!

~≈👾≈~

Part Four.

Finally.

So … finally … 

What did I make of “First Light”?

What did I make of it, and will I be watching more of this series?

First things first, “First Light” is a very good opening episode: and sets up the series to come.

It re-introduces us to old friends: and sets up the series to come.

And warns us there’s going to be trouble on the Wild Martian front, and political trouble.

And trouble on a personal front for old friends.

Frankly?

I don’t know that the episode is stunning … 

But am convinced it’s a good opening episode.

I’m going to be back for more, given this episode’s overall strength.

“First Light”.

★★★☆

~≈👾≈~

Part Five.

Last Words.

With all that said, that’s where I’m going to leave things, for now.

Thank you for reading this post: and — or! — watching its video equivalent.

As a last point or two?

I’m going to be watching the next episode of For All Mankind, next Tuesday: and will hopefully have my reviews up, by next Thursday.

Secondly?

I’ll ask you to subscribe to my YouTube channel, and follow Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar: and, if you like what I’m doing, I’ll encourage you to tip.

Finally?

I’m planning on review the next series of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds as and when I get the chance: and maybe a movie or two.

I’ll see you next time.