‘For All Mankind’ Recap: ‘Polaris’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season three premiere of ‘For All Mankind’. To revisit the season two finale, click here.
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More often than not, science fiction shows that are grand in scope, tend to offer up epic season premieres and finales and it makes sense as to why. Simply because, they know they are a big deal and they know they need to impress their audience, so what better way to do so than by offering up an opening chapter or ending that takes our breath away and leaves us on the edge of our seat. But while that does indeed wow us and has us buzzing about the show, there are other science fiction shows out there, that have figured out how to blow an audience away in a low-key manner, and one particular show that meets such criteria is For All Mankind on Apple TV+.
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For this brilliant science fiction show about an alternate world where the United States lost the space race of the 1960s, always offers up a supremely unique season premiere. One that is both epic in scope and relaxed and it accomplishes all of that, through massive time jumps and time for the audience to adjust. For the season three premiere of this show, ‘Polaris’, is a story that once again catapults us ten years into the future, plopping us down into the mid-1990s, wherein we come to learn that thirty years of space travel in this fascinating universe, has allowed for some incredible things to take place in the industry. 

Such as the fact that privatized space travel, now in its infancy in our 21st Century… has become commonplace in this universe. For Polaris, a company founded by Karen Baldwin no less, was preparing to open up a hotel in orbit to the public. Making it clear that interstellar commerce is the next brave frontier for this industry and that is something that will undoubtedly be accelerated in this season’s storytelling, by way of the fact that a Mars landing is finally on the agenda. For both NASA and the Soviet Union’s arm of space travel, were preparing for missions to the Red Planet in this tale and that… was indeed incredible to learn and awe inspiring. Since it was epic to see humanity at this particular point in its quest to be part of the stars.

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But as for the low-key aspect of this tale, wherein we were allowed to adjust, well that handled by allowing for us to spend quality time with the characters. Since we spent time with Margo in this tale and saw how she is quietly jugging work and a personal life, all while driving the country’s program forward, with a little assist from Sergei from season two. Plus, it was equally as amazing to see that Molly is still pushing the industry to have the absolute best at the helm of every shuttle mission out there, regardless of Margo’s desire to see some changes there. Not to mention, Ellen making a presidential run was of note, since she wasn't totally sold on politics in season two, and of course, Ed and Danielle… are still doing their thing at NASA and oddly enough, our time with them… is what led to the episode’s biggest surprise.
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For they took the time to visit Karen’s space station hotel, to celebrate Danny Stevens’ wedding and well, while they were there… some of the dangers of the space race presented themselves. Since a bit of debris from a North Korean booster rocket, hit the hotel… and had it not been for Danny channeling a little of father’s heroism, everyone on board might have died. But what matters most, is that this segment served as a find reminder that regardless of where interstellar travel and commerce go in this universe, space is still the unflinching force it has always been, and it would do everyone well to remember that fact and pay space the respect and awe it is due.

In the end however, this really was… quite the epic and low-key premiere when all is said and done. Since it really did a phenomenal job of world-building for certain, courtesy of that immersive set of moments that plunged us into the reality of a mid-1990s world where space travel is an everyday thing and of course, it still found new ways to drop our jaws. In large part because of that ending aboard Polaris and also because of some of the other fascinating revelations in this tale regarding what will come next and well… this is an episode that definitely leaves the view eager to continue the journey. To learn more about this brave new world and to see what other incredible moments involving these dynamic characters await us, now that the third season of one of the finest and smartest science fiction shows out there… is underway. Until next time.  

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