- Network: Apple TV+
- Series Premiere Date: Nov 1, 2019
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Critic Reviews
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For All Mankind is doing so much right with astronaut fiction—grounding it in mundane lives and historicity, while separating it from its big names and dates enough to reach for something more profound than documentary—that minor bumps only rattle the otherwise smooth ride in an exceptional craft. For All Mankind pursues greatness, succeeds, and plants an Apple flag for the world to see.
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It takes a while for it to come together, and for us to feel the distinctions and quirks of characters who initially appear to be cardboard 1960s straights. But what at first seems to wander a bit ultimately finds its target and lands.
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A lot of the male characters, headlined by Joel Kinnaman and Michael Dorman, are flat and stereotypically predictable, but the show tells its best stories with the women involved in the space program, be it the first class of female astronauts or the wives of the original astronauts. Thankfully, large chunks of episodes are devoted to them. And the space scenes look good too.
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It makes the smarter choice to keep the drama as grounded in character choices as possible, with some key overarching “what if?” scenarios that keep the season moving toward a bold new future.
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The show ostensibly stars Joel Kinnaman as a Serious Astronaut Man, but the story becomes far more compelling when other characters take the lead. Episode 3 introduces a group of female astronaut trainees who make the series sing.
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The strains of having such a huge cast are noticeable; it’s clear that several players, including Aleida, will play a greater role in the future, but the foreshadowing in her storyline doesn’t amount to much more than that. ... Kinnaman, who’s following up a solid turn on Amazon’s Hanna, does great work here.
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“For All Mankind” continues to improve in subsequent episodes, propelled in part by an inspiring theme score by Jeff Russo (“Fargo”).
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For All Mankind is nowhere near perfect, but it’s deeply watchable — eventually.
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It tries to juggle too many characters at once, and doesn’t make any of them as compelling as its core concept. It’s a noble effort, and genuinely stirring at times, but I’m still waiting for it to really take flight.
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Give For All Mankind credit for a nicely calibrated takeoff, but five episodes in, it's following the kind of ragged flight plan that doesn't raise hopes that the show has the right stuff to stick the landing.
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 38 out of 64
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Mixed: 9 out of 64
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Negative: 17 out of 64
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Feb 20, 2021Politically correct and woke as usual... Welcome to the 2020's series era. The golden era is gone.
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Nov 2, 2019
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Nov 9, 2019