For All Mankind (#327)
I’m late to the game, but I just binged Apple TV’s For All Mankind three weeks ago. I watched all 4 seasons in three weeks (thanks BZ and MG for the recommendation!). Unfortunately, season 5 isn’t going to release until last 2025. As many of you know, I like the space program as a great case study for leaders who want to lead better under pressure. In fact, the first blog post I ever did (back in the dark ages of 2020) was on the movie The Martian.
Don’t take my word for it, though. Rotten Tomatoes gives the series an average of 93% approval.
For All Mankind
For All Mankind is an American science fiction television series that explores an alternate history where the space race never ended. Set during the Cold War, the series imagines a world where the Soviet Union beats the United States to the moon in 1969, leading to a prolonged space race and heightened tensions between the two superpowers. Against this backdrop, the show follows the lives of NASA astronauts and their families as they strive to achieve new milestones in space exploration.
The series begins with the historic moment of the Soviet Union's Luna 2 mission successfully landing on the moon, sparking a sense of urgency and determination within NASA to catch up and surpass their rivals. As the American space program faces setbacks and challenges, including political pressure and technical difficulties, the astronauts grapple with personal sacrifices and the risks inherent in space. Their dedication to the mission and to pushing the boundaries of human achievement drives the story forward, capturing the viewer's imagination and emotional investment in their journey.
One of the key themes explored in For All Mankind is the impact of space exploration on society and culture. As NASA achieves new milestones and pushes the boundaries of what is possible, the series examines how these achievements reverberate throughout American society, inspiring future generations and reshaping the geopolitical landscape. For example, in For All Mankind’s alternate reality the Equal Rights Amendment was passed in 1974 due to women being incorporated into the astronaut program in the 1970s (in reality the ERA failed to gain enough state ratifications in 1979 to become an amendment). The alternate history depicted in For All Mankind offers a thought-provoking exploration of what could have been if the space race had taken a different trajectory. By presenting a world where the United States is playing catch-up in space exploration, the series invites viewers to consider the role of ambition, innovation, and perseverance in shaping the course of history. Through its richly drawn characters and immersive storytelling, the show captivates audiences with its blend of historical drama, speculative fiction, and human emotion, leaving them eagerly anticipating each new twist and turn in the journey to the stars.
There are three concepts that I appreciate that the writers of For All Mankind has included in the show — PTSD, Stress on the Families, and Work the Problem.
PTSD
Not surprisingly, in the show, characters are killed in the hazardous environment of space and on Earth. The characters that remain have to deal with those losses. Some of the characters, like Gordo Stevens, a NASA astronaut, experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from his time spent as one of the first settlers of the moon. Gordo’s PTSD presents itself by his weight gain, alcohol abuse, and depression. It’s one of the first shows that I can remember where characters have to deal with the consequences after traumatic events.
Stress on the Families
Like the military, the series does a great job depicting the stress imposed on families where a loved one has to spend a long time away from home. For example, Ed Baldwin, one of the main characters from NASA, is one of the first settlers on the moon. His relationship with his son, Shane, is strained as the boy grows up without a strong male role model at home.
Work the Problem
Space travel is inherently risky, especially when you consider the millions of parts that all have to operate perfectly in the rocket, the command module, and lunar module to get astronauts to the moon and back during the Apollo Program. Every launch that the United States of America has done, all the way back to the Mercury Program, has had some complications small or big, especially Apollo 13 (also a great movie). NASA has always exhibited this mindset -- the astronauts and the teams at mission control identify the problem, break the big problem down into smaller problems, work each problem as it presents itself, and keep solving problems until they get the astronauts home. The astronauts in For All Mankind also use the slogan “work the problem.”
Conclusion
Overall, For All Mankind is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of an alternate history of the space race and what might have been. With its compelling characters, richly detailed world-building, and exploration of timely themes, the series offers a captivating glimpse into a world where the dream of space exploration is alive and thriving, inspiring viewers to imagine the possibilities of what lies beyond the stars.
Want to use the real Apollo Space Race as a case study for developing your team’s leadership under pressure? TFCG offers programs at the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio; Houston, Texas; the Space Center in Huntsville, Alabama; and the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas. Start the conversation about a unique and impactful leadership training event for your team by hitting one of the buttons below.