For All Mankind — Series 5 Episode 3 — “Home” — A Review

20th July, 2026.

“Home”.

The Introduction.

Right, then: it’s officially Monday, and dinner’s doing.

In point of fact, I’ve just heard my vegetables go ‘Bing’.

Or, at least, heard the microwave go ‘Bing’

So dinner is almost ready to be eaten … 

~≈🪐≈~

Right … that’s dinner out of the way … !

I’m writing this on Monday night: the day before I’m intent on watching “Home”, the next episode For All Mankind series five.

And will be finish the subsequent written and video reviews by this coming Friday.

Right now … ?

I’m looking for to it.

Episode 2 ended on a cliffhanger … 

~≈🪐≈~

21st July, 2026.

Part One.

The Summary.

Episode 3 — “Home” — opens in darkness: as we are caught up in Ed Baldwin’s (Joel Kinnaman) flashback to his time in the Korean War: when he and his co-pilot were shot down over what’s now North Korea.

We learn this is a flashback, as Ed comes around in a hospital bed in Happy Valley: and finding himself wired into a host of life support machines … whilst his daughter, Kelly (Cynthy Wu) is fending off a Peace Keeper who is determined to help.

It’s at this stage … ?

That Kelly can offer some reassurance.

Ed, her father?   Had managed to get Lee Jung-Gil to safety, at the ISN base.

They only have one thing they disagree about.

Kelly wants to step away from the planned mission to Titan.

Ed, as stubborn as only the dying can be, wants to make sure she goes!

Meanwhile … ?

Back on Earth … ?

Aleida (Coral Peña) is having a crisis.

Rival company, Kuragin looks set to get to get to Titan before anyone else: and Aleida has no idea how to get there before them.

It’s only when she visits Margo Madison (Wrenn Schmidt), that she find Margo is is the one person with a viable solution.

Margo points out that Aleida and her team could get to Titan first if they launch a ship from Mars: and also points out that the remains of the Sojourner 1 are still on Mars … and only need to be refurbished … … 

All Aleida needs to do … ?

Is get to Mars and led the mission … 

~≈🪐≈~

22nd July, 2026.

Part Two.

Thoughts and Observations.

So … what did I make of this third episode, of “Home”?

What did I see?

I saw an episode that had a few story threads running through it.

Let’s get those out to the way, first, shall we … ?

One thread follows Celia, the Peacekeeper: who is convinced the Peacekeepers are after the wrong suspect.

A second … ?

Sees Ed persuade his daughter, Kelly, that going to Titan, along side Aleida, is the right thing to do, the modern version that took he, and others, to the Moon.

That second thread is heavily entwined with a third: Ed’s reconciling with his daughter and grandson, as he lays dying in Happy Valley’s medical bay.

His eventual death … ?

Was both a highlight of the episode … and one of the saddest points of the series.

~≈🪐≈~

23rd July, 2026.

Part Three.

Ed Baldwin.

At this point … ?

I have to confess, For All Mankind is a very well done series.

Well done … but one that concentrates on political drama: rather than human drama.

Who’s going win this bit of the Space Race, rather than who’s falling in love with whom.

Who’s leading the revolution: rather than taking the kids to school.

Who’s signing the paperwork: rather than who’s in love with whom.

For much of the time, For All Mankind is about the big stories: not necessarily the small ones.

At least … it’s the big stuff that catches my eye.

“Home”, though?

“Home” covers the big stuff: the fight to fly the Helios mission to Titan, the murder hunt turned diplomatic incident … 

But yes: it also covers the death of Ed Baldwin, one of For All Mankind’s longest running characters.

I have a confession to make, there.

I don’t know if I have the words to tell you about Ed Baldwin’s death.

Of how, in his final moments, he is comforted by visions of his old friend Gordo Stevens (Michael Dorman), his late wife, Karen (Shantel VanSanten), and his doomed son, Shane.

Or how — stupidly — I felt the urge to salute the death of a fictional character who’s been one of For All Mankind’s long term heroes.

Yes: I felt the urge to salute a dead TV character.

But, yes: Ed Baldwin’s death was deeply affecting!

~≈🪐≈~

Part Four.

Finally.

So, finally … ?

What did I think of “Home”?

Your milage may vary, here.

But … ?

I found the interleaved stories made “Home” very watchable.

There are times when I find paying attention to something a right-royal pain in the proverbial.

And, as good as season five’s first two episodes were?

I found the interwoven story arcs in “Home” made for an something that grabbed my attention: and kept it.

Something that I value, these days.

So “Home” gets points from me: for keeping my attention.

And for telling me of a much loved character’s death.

Ed Baldwin, much like the Discworld’s Granny Weatherwax, or Joyce Summers in Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, is going to be missed.

But the story he’s part of, continues.

“Home” is the saddest episode, thus far: but only makes me look forward to the next episode.

“Home”

★★★★

~≈🪐≈~

Part Five.

Last Words.

With all that said … ?

With all that said, this is where I’ll be leaving things.

At least, until next Tuesday: when I’ll be watching “Open Source”, the next episode of For All Mankind.

Feel free to subscribe to my YouTube channel, feel free to tip … 

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

I’ll see you then.

Have a good week!