For All Mankind Season 4 Episode 1 Breakdown: Unveiling Asteroid Mining & 6 Other Surprises

Article Overview

Season 4 of "For All Mankind" explores the realm of asteroid mining as humanity's new frontier, offering a promising opportunity to finance forthcoming space initiatives and diminish our dependence on Earth's finite resources. However, the Kronos mission encounters a devastating turn of events as Grigory selflessly sacrifices his life to protect the crew, underscoring the perilous aspects of this occupation and the relentless pursuit of monetary gains in the ongoing space race.

Ed Baldwin, who appears visibly aged and struggling with health issues, has been absent from Earth for an extended period of time and is unlikely to ever depart from Mars due to medical reasons.

In the season 4 premiere of For All Mankind titled "Glasnost," there are several updates to the alternative timeline, ranging from asteroid mining to the search for Margo Madison (played by Wrenn Schmidt). Taking place in the 21st century and set eight years after the heartbreaking events of the season 3 finale, humanity's new frontier involves the extraction of valuable minerals from asteroids. However, this intricate process demands significant international cooperation and political maneuvering, particularly when the initial attempt ends in a tragic outcome. On Mars, the diverse and extensive international community residing in Happy Valley is shaken by this catastrophe, leading to a personnel change and the return of a renowned NASA figure.

7. For All Mankind Season 4 Is Focused On Asteroid Mining

In season 3 of For All Mankind, the departure of the spacecraft from Mars left the inhabitants in a dire situation with depleting supplies and growing tension. One of the inhabitants, Danny Stevens (played by Casey W. Johnson), found himself imprisoned in the North Korean spacecraft as a consequence of his involvement in the fatal drilling disaster. While there are hints and allusions to Danny's predicament and the collective struggles of everyone on Mars during the time between seasons, the full extent of their Martian ordeal is expected to be unveiled in later episodes. Presently, in season 4 of For All Mankind, the primary focus is on laying the groundwork for the future of the series, revealing intriguing details about its alternate depiction of the year 2003.

In the upcoming season 4 of For All Mankind, Ed Baldwin (played by Joel Kinnaman) takes the lead in a groundbreaking mission. This joint endeavor aims to mine the Kronos asteroid, presenting a momentous opportunity for the benefit of Earth. Despite the previous season hinting at Jupiter as the next frontier for human expansion into space, the focus of the space program has shifted elsewhere. The M-7 nations, also known as the Mars Seven, have directed their attention to asteroid mining in their quest for valuable minerals. Promoted as a "new gold rush," the minerals contained within asteroids like Kronos could serve as a crucial source of funding for future space ventures and alleviate Earth's resource dependency. However, there is also a sense that the pursuit of profit plays a significant role in this ambitious space race.

The Kronos mission requires astronauts to land on an asteroid and attach it to the Ranger One spacecraft for transportation back to Mars. Once safely secured and brought to the Red Planet, Kronos will be utilized for its highly valuable mineral resources. Grigory Kuznetsov (Lev Gorn) is selected as the initial astronaut to set foot on an asteroid, a decision that the older and more laid-back Ed Baldwin doesn't seem to have any issues with. The team at the Molly Cobb Space Center eagerly observes as Grigory and his team successfully accomplish the initial phase of their mission, but unfortunately, tragedy is imminent.

6. Grigory Is Killed During An Asteroid Mission

Tragedy strikes as the wires securing Kronos begin to slacken, requiring Grigory and Parker to venture outside and restore stability. While Grigory possesses the skills of a trained Cosmonaut, Parker is a regular working-class individual who relies on the asteroid to secure his bonus payments from Helios. Sadly, Parker meets a gruesome fate when the drill shatters, impaling him through his suit—a chilling reminder of the true price associated with incentivizing such perilous labor. Grigory, unable to stabilize the Kronos asteroid, makes the ultimate sacrifice to safeguard the rest of Ranger One's crew. In one of the most heart-wrenching scenes of For All Mankind's season 4 premiere, he pleads with Ed to detach him.

5. Ed Baldwin Hasn't Returned To Earth In Years

With only a few of the original For All Mankind characters remaining, season 4 signals the conclusion for characters like Ed Baldwin. Ed, whose age is evident and whose health appears to be declining as "Glasnost" begins, seems to be facing the possibility that his esteemed career as an astronaut may soon come to an end. Consequently, he has chosen not to return to Earth to visit his daughter Kelly (Cynthy Wu) and his grandson Alex since 1997, likely aware that leaving the Red Planet would mean he would never receive medical clearance to return to Mars. As Alex's Soviet grandmother Olga so straightforwardly puts it: "He's not coming back."

Additionally, For All Mankind unveils that Ed's grandson, who was born while in orbit around the Red Planet, is commonly referred to as the "Mars Baby."

4. Margo Is Recruited By A Mysterious Woman In The Soviet Union

Anyone familiar with the 20th century Russian history would understand the opposition faced by Gorbachev's Perestroika from the economic bureaucracy. Although this hasn't occurred in the season 4 timeline of For All Mankind, there is a sense of discontent in the air. Margo Madison finds herself deeply involved in this shifting atmosphere. Having defected at the end of season 3, Margo now resides in the Soviet Union using the name Margaret Reynolds. In a later episode, it is revealed that Margo has lost favor with Roscosmos director Lenara Catiche (Vera Cherny).

After being explicitly prohibited from returning to the Soviet space agency, Margo is approached by a mysterious Russian woman in a park. The woman hands her a phone number and cryptically advises her to wait it out. All of this implies that the current Soviet government might be overthrown, potentially jeopardizing the alliance between Gore and Gorbachev in future episodes. It is plausible that Margo is being prepared for a significant role at Roscosmos under the new regime.

3. Helios Is Hiring Civilians To Travel To Mars

As indicated by the pre-titles montage, the year 2003 saw a significant expansion of the space industry. In fact, it has become such a prominent field that a reality show named Moon Miners has emerged, captivating numerous struggling workers on Earth with the promise of a prosperous career on the lunar surface. Among these individuals is Miles Dale (Toby Kebbell), a father of two who is currently separated from his wife. Although Miles aspires to become a Moon Miner, an unexpected opportunity arises for him to join the team of Helios workers on Mars. Given his previous experience on an oil platform, his skills are deemed invaluable for a pioneering project involving asteroid drilling. Nevertheless, the question remains whether this potential sacrifice will truly be worthwhile for Miles and his family.

2. Aleida Is Suffering From PTSD While Working For NASA

Aleida Rosales (Coral Peña) experiences a trauma response after witnessing Grigory and Parker's catastrophic accident during their attempt to correct the asteroid. Her lingering PTSD, which originated from the Johnson Space Center bombing in the For All Mankind season 3 finale, continues to affect her eight years later. The magnitude of the tragedy, coupled with the belief that her mentor Margo Madison was also a victim, amplifies Aleida's distress. As NASA races to uncover the cause of the Kronos mining mission's failure, Aleida is plagued by haunting flashbacks of the bombing, compelling her to leave mission control. Whether she will return to her present role at the Molly Cobb Space Center remains uncertain.

1. Danielle Retired From NASA, But She Returns In 2003

Danielle Poole, portrayed by Krys Marshall, retired from NASA sometime after her return to Earth in 1997 and the beginning of the 2003 timeline in For All Mankind. She is introduced at a birthday party for Danny Stevens' daughter, where she experiences a sense of guilt upon seeing a picture of the troubled astronaut. The events that unfolded during the eight-year gap between the third and fourth seasons remain unclear, but it is evident that they were not favorable for Danny. The weight of Danny's fate continues to burden Danielle, ultimately leading her to distance herself from NASA.

However, with the emergence of new NASA director Eli Hobson, played by Daniel Stern, engaging in damage control following the deaths of Grigory and Parker, Danielle finds herself drawn back into the organization. She agrees to replace Colonel George Peters at Happy Valley and is depicted in the closing moments of the first episode of For All Mankind's fourth season, heading back to Mars. As she sets foot on the Red Planet once again, viewers can anticipate a heartfelt reunion between Danielle and Ed Baldwin, along with potential revelations about how they all managed to survive their ordeal on Mars.

For All Mankind season 4 streams Fridays on AppleTV+.

For All Mankind

For All Mankind is an exciting reimagining of history that delves into the possibilities of a never-ending global space race. This thrilling "what if" explores the intense competition between the Soviet Union and the United States in their race to the moon, providing a fresh perspective on the space programs and the profound impact they had on the astronauts and their families. Created by Ronald D. Moore and starring Joel Kinnaman as a NASA astronaut, this Apple TV+ series also includes notable historical figures such as Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.

Editor's P/S

In the fourth season of For All Mankind, the writers have taken the show in a bold new direction by introducing the concept of asteroid mining. This is a logical progression from the events of the previous seasons, as humanity continues to push the boundaries of space exploration. Asteroid mining could potentially provide a new source of resources for Earth, and it could also be a stepping stone to further exploration of the outer planets.

The first episode of season 4 does an excellent job of setting up the new storyline. We are introduced to the challenges of asteroid mining, including the dangers of working in space and the need for international cooperation. We also see the personal struggles of the characters, as they deal with the loss of loved ones and the challenges of living in a harsh environment.