Those that have followed along this season know that I have an “it’s complicated” relationship status with FOR ALL MANKIND. In season 2, I’ve given 4 🤩, 3 😊 , and 3 🤮. It’s infuriatingly inconsistent “must-see” TV.
I found myself on “the bleeding edge” of abandoning this show as “every little thing” just wasn’t working. Some might have told me “don’t be cruel” and trust that the “best-laid plans” would carry “the weight” of “pathfinder.” Yet the show miraculously duct tapes itself together to return from “triage” with an exciting “rules of engagement” conclusion.
There’s so much to love in Ronald D. Moore’s ambitious space soap opera, but there’s also a lot to dislike. Season 2 should’ve been shortened to 7 episodes. If they trimmed the repeating themes of Karen being a “Karen,” Gordo drinking too much, and minimized the soapbox monologues we could’ve seen a perfect season 2. This show can fix its faults and easily become one of the best series not just on Apple TV+, but in all of streaming.
Every character in this series wants “to do something in their life and make a difference in the world.” That’s enough of a gravitational pull for audiences to care about during the awful “grey” mid-season. If they do, they will come out on top with the best emotional action-packed finale on TV this year.
So, “here’s to you” FOR ALL MANKIND. You’ve given me a lot this season to shout at, applaud, and even 😭. I will “come as I am” for season 3 with Ennis Del Mar’s sentiment from BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN – “I wish I knew how to quit you.”
It’s available on Apple TV+.
