'For All Mankind' Season 4 Episode 6: The Explosive Events of 'Leningrad'

Margo's Defection and the Fallout

In For All Mankind season 4, episode 6, the future of Margo Madison (Wrenn Schmidt) takes a tumultuous turn as she publicly announces her defection to the Soviet Union, becoming 'the most hated woman in America.'

Margo stands in the Roscosmos office, looking concerned

After eight years in hiding, Margo steps back into the limelight as the head of Roscosmos' Goldilocks team, despite warnings of the backlash she will face. Her prepared statement denounces NASA for prioritizing profits over people, igniting a firestorm of controversy and anger, especially from Dani Poole, who has experienced personal loss in the pursuit of progress.

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Margo's decision to align herself with the Soviet Union and publicly discredit NASA leaves her former protégé, Aleida, feeling betrayed and furious. The fallout of Margo's defection sets the stage for a dramatic shift in alliances and loyalties, with potential repercussions for both the US and the Soviet Union.

Margo and a mysterious woman in a shawl meet in a public park

The Goldilocks Mining Project: A Costly Endeavor

At the M-7 summit in Leningrad, Aleida Rosales reveals the staggering cost of mining the Goldilocks asteroid on Mars, estimated at 2 trillion dollars. This revelation sparks debate and skepticism among the M-7 nations, with concerns raised about the return on investment and the lengthy timeline for reaping financial benefits.

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While the financial rewards of the iridium in the Goldilocks asteroid are substantial, the cost and time required for mining raise doubts about the feasibility of the project. The tension surrounding the Goldilocks mining project underscores the complex economic and political dynamics at play, as nations vie for control and assess the risks and rewards of asteroid mining.

A golden asteroid and an astronaut

Rebellion and Rivalry on Mars

The episode showcases Ed Baldwin's disruptive actions on Mars, as he seizes the opportunity to stir up a rebellion among the Helios workers stationed at Happy Valley. Despite his dismissal as Dani's XO, Ed's role as Senior Project Manager gives him leverage to expose the revised bonus system, triggering a wave of dissent and calls for a strike.

Ed telling the Helios workers about their bonuses

Simultaneously, Miles and Ilya's rivalry escalates, culminating in a hostile takeover of Ilya's black market operation. The power struggle between the two characters unfolds against the backdrop of the escalating tensions on Mars, adding a layer of intrigue and complexity to the narrative.

Miles stands at Ilya's bar, in front of the still and bottles of moonshine

Aleida's Discovery and Collaboration

Aleida Rosales finally learns the truth about Margo's survival and collaborates with her to solve the complex problem of flying the Goldilocks asteroid to Earth. The revelation of Margo's existence and the subsequent partnership with Aleida set the stage for a dynamic and potentially volatile alliance, as the two women navigate their shared history and the challenges of their current situation.

Aleida in a robe hugs Margo in her hotel room

The episode delves into Aleida's emotional journey as she grapples with conflicting feelings of relief, anger, and resentment upon discovering Margo's survival and involvement in the Goldilocks project. The evolving dynamic between Aleida and Margo adds depth and emotional resonance to the narrative, highlighting the complexities of their relationship and the high-stakes collaboration ahead.

For All Mankind Aleida in Margo's Office(1)