Astro-Not! Astronaut Blasts Apple TV+ Show as Out-of-This-World Ridiculous

Summary

Astronaut Chris Hadfield finds the portrayal of space exploration in For All Mankind "excruciating to watch" and "cartoonish".

Hadfield agrees that the portrayal of a US astronaut shooting a Soviet astronaut on the moon in For All Mankind is accurate due to the influence of the lack of air and gravity on the bullet's path. The show's depiction of outer space as a whole is widely regarded as realistic, and the production team has put in significant effort to ensure accuracy. Hadfield's expertise allows him to detect and point out minor details that others may overlook.

Astronaut Chris Hadfield criticizes For All Mankind, calling it "cartoonish" and "excruciating to watch." The Apple TV+ sci-fi series, which premiered in 2019, presents an alternate history where the Soviet Union reached the Moon before the United States, resulting in a prolonged space race. Despite receiving critical acclaim and winning an Emmy Award, the show's depiction of space exploration does not escape scrutiny. Hadfield's remarks can be found in a new Vanity Fair video where he views a scene from the show and elaborates on his critique.

There are numerous flaws in what we see, making it unbearable to watch. The concept of an alternate history where the Soviets, led by Alexei Leonov, were the first to reach the Moon is an intriguing plot possibility. However, after just a few episodes, everything takes on a childish and unrealistic tone.

It feels as though a group of actors gathered around a table, pretending to be soldiers, constantly saying things like "Take point" and "sound off." It is quite baffling that not a single member of the American team speaks Russian, despite knowing that there would be Russians present. As a former combat fighter pilot who intercepted Soviet bombers during the Cold War, I find it hard to believe that these supposedly trained astronauts and Marines would behave in such a way. Especially when the stakes are so high, one would expect them to fully understand the gravity of shooting a Soviet or a Russian. It is crucial to be absolutely certain that there is a real threat before taking any action.

How Accurate Is For All Mankind's Portrayal of Space Exploration?

Despite Hadfield's criticism of the show's exaggerated elements, he acknowledges the accuracy of one particular scene he observed. In this scene, a US astronaut shoots a Soviet astronaut on the Moon, and Hadfield, having conducted extensive research for his book, The Apollo Murders, on the functionality of guns in lunar conditions, can confirm the authenticity of this portrayal. Due to the reduced air and gravity on the Moon, firearms would indeed perform more effectively, with bullets traveling in straighter and longer trajectories. Additionally, the potential for a spacesuit, containing 100 percent oxygen, to catch fire is a plausible scenario.

Contrary to Hadfield's initial critique, the show's depiction of space exploration is generally regarded as realistic. The production team of For All Mankind invested significant effort into thorough research to ensure accuracy in their portrayal. Given Hadfield's background as an astronaut, engineer, and his extensive knowledge of outer space, he is able to discern subtle details that may go unnoticed by others. Having previously served as a consultant for films and TV shows like the 2017 movie Life, it would be beneficial for For All Mankind to consider availing Hadfield's expertise for future seasons.

Source: Vanity Fair