‘For All Mankind’ 4×07 Review: “Crossing the Line”

For All Mankind 4×07 has many, many strong points…but the framing is not one of them. More specifically, we’re talking about how “Crossing the Line” handles the strike. Rather than celebrating workers for standing up for themselves, for demanding safe working conditions and — bare minimum — the pay and bonus schedules they thought they were getting when they left Earth, the episode instead paints them in a very negative light. The work cessation comes across as selfish, as if these greedy workers don’t see the broader picture of how much Goldilocks can do for all mankind (see what I did there). And the civil disobedience with removing the gas flow regulator…well. That literally kills Jennings. So, the message is: strikes dangerous and foolish.

To some extent, we can take a fair approach to the “dangerous” characterization by looking at what’s happening through the lens of these people being in a situation that’s very decidedly not normal. If nothing else, it definitely isn’t one in which they should take their safety for granted. Because, as we have learned in the hardest way imaginable over these four seasons, space is basically like “IDGAF” to all things human. So, a nuanced sort of…”new world, new rules” story isn’t, on its face, immediately the worst idea of all time.

But. Well…We also have to consider the implications of which characters are doing what, why, and how. For All Mankind is, by this fourth season, about a family of about six people: Dani, Ed, Alex, Kelly, Aleida, Margo. (Dev is…he’s there but not because billionaire.) And, based on how this season — this episode in particular — pits the Commander and the Admiral against each other, um…about that. How do we put this? How about “guys, we’ve got a huge problem here. Whatever the intention, we’re not having the result.” Even so, we very much love this show and the four characters we listed above. Yes, even when they’re causing us to be like “OMG WTF,” we are very emotionally attached.

Which, to be fair: Maybe that’s part of why our interpretation is what it is here. But anyway…

Strikes are good, actually…but not here?

Out of context, Dani and Ed’s latest argument, this time on opposite sides of the bargaining table, is one of the best parts of For All Mankind 4×07. To be honest, we kinda just want to sit here and quote all the dialogue. Because it was so very good.

“That’s rich coming from you, Ed. I can still hear you whining. About how most of these people aren’t even qualified to be up here in the first place.”

Danielle is 100% right, and Krys Marshall delivers that line with all the derision, all the “oh, I am so done with this man” energy, it requires. The way she builds in intensity and just plain irritation for that last sentence and the utter disgust on “rich” are great, and the rhythm she has with Joel Kinnaman in general is…Well. What else can we say that we haven’t said before? And then, this:

“But now you’re all what? Down with the common man?”

Obsessed.

But for all the scene’s strength, it’s also Exhibit A for everything that’s weak about the narrative choices. The performances are so good, and Dani is so right to tell Ed how it is. We love it! …except for the part where it’s all so very bad. Because, here’s the problem: Ed is very much centered as some kind of Mars union hero. Center of the conversation, person who interjects with things that get the other workers back on track, Mr. Inspiration. He should not be any of the above. Massey should be the hero, and the story should be more about her/her comrades versus The Man than Ed versus The Woman.

We get that Ed is trying to find some purpose for himself, and of course he’s going to want to stick it to Dani now that they’re on opposite sides of this thing. However. A story about a blue collar workers’ strike, fronted by a guy who couldn’t give a shit about those people five minutes ago and only does for purely selfish reasons now, is not great. Put that in the context of us understanding exactly why Dani is so passionate about this project, and the general history of her nearly always being the great leader…and this simply doesn’t fit. Even if we go along with the “known” characters being the “main” part of this — because, full offense: we’re going to focus more on them no matter what anyway — we’re more sympathetic to Dani here…but really shouldn’t be.

Danielle Poole would’ve been the more likely union leader, ok? And even if she wasn’t, we’re right back at our original point. The focus on Ed’s aging white male grievance instead of on the newer characters here doesn’t make any sense. This is their struggle, not Ed’s. He’s been set for life. And how are we supposed to get attached to whomever is the central character after Ed and Dani are no longer with us if the main place where the average viewer should connect with them is still, in a lot of ways, all about the characters we’d already willingly die for?

Then, we have Dev swooping in to save the day. (Only, of course, after first dismissing Commander Poole’s concerns. But hi. Great scene.) Something, something…inspirational speech. Sure, sure. Make it sound like he understands the struggle but also sees the importance of completing the work…and then…the ending. All of that has potential to wind up telling a fitting sort of story, actually.

“What’s more important? Some abtract notion of togetherness? Or is it your families back home? Is it your kids, your — your nieces, your nephews. your parents. Grandparents? Or is it some rock that is floating out in space?”

The workers obviously have a difficult time deciding to cross that line, but it’s because Dev mentions taking care of their families back home that things shift. For the most part, we can even get on board with this being the turning point. It makes perfect, if frustrating and depressing, sense as long as the storytelling comes through the right point of view. (Which, while the majority of the story is not, at least this scene is squarely from Union Central…if you will.) But, Then, there’s…whatever the ending of For All Mankind 4×07 is:

“I know that was painful. Believe me. I know. To see how driven they all were by self-interest, by greed. It would be funny if it wasn’t so predictable.”

Like…hello? As if Ed Baldwin isn’t driven by self-interest? And let’s not talk about Dev Ayesa, billionaire, and how greed comes into play there. Yeah, it’s upsetting for the union, such as it was, to start to have so much in-fighting after only a week and sell out so quickly. But, well, people came here for opportunity to take care of their families — and didn’t get what they were promised. So now, aside from Miles’ greedy ass, people are struggling and are far away from their loved ones. Massey and the majority of the workers weren’t at all just looking to unfairly pile on cash without a cause. (Again, Miles is an exception.) And yet, that seems to be the resolution. Just throw some money at them because they’re just selfish and hungry for cash. So, cash it is. Shut them up

That’s a “yikes, no” from us. Especially given the real world in 2023. Sure, the season wrapped before any of this happened. But time for more real talk: We all see the glaring difference between For All Mankind 4×07 and the solidarity between WGA, SAG-AFTRA, and even those unions that didn’t strike with them but did march with them. (Huge shoutout to IATSE.) Bizarre to watch this after that historic spring, summer, and start of fall. Those workers didn’t even cave when there were literal articles about CEOs basically saying they wanted folks to lose their homes. Just saying.

Personal stories still win.

None of this is to say that For All Mankind 4×07 doesn’t have its strong points — because it most certainly does. Again, the performances are as stunning as ever…and the heart is still simply there. One of the clearest places for that in “Crossing the Line” is Ed and Kelly’s reunion. Even if we know, logically, that Ed’s long separation from his family is the result of his own misguided choice to hide from them, it’s still so good to get to see him and Kelly together again. Their hug is absolutely everything…which, of course, is what makes the Alex of it all that much more crushing.

We see a very clear picture of Dev being really, really good with Alex during landing. So, that implies that, during their journey, the two have gotten close. Or, if not close, they’re definitely not strangers. But even if Alex is always asking about him, his Poppy is a stranger. So, we have to see Ed’s confused, then increasingly-crushed, reaction to Alex being super shy with him. (Especially since, at least for us as viewers, we also witness a very genuine and warm interaction between Alex and [checks notes] Danielle Poole. Spoiler alert: Dani and Ed are family, too!)

And the spaghetti thing…ouch. On the one hand, like, someone please smack Ed upside the head. Read the room, my dude. Alex said no. He’s been quiet with you all along. Chill the fuck out and don’t force the things you like on someone else and spoil his dinner. But on the other, this is Ed really excited about this little gift Kelly brought him.

Can we pause for a second to marvel over how absolutely adorable Cynthy Wu was when she played the “tease and big reveal” of it all??? Ok. Moving on.

So, Ed being Ed, he obviously wanted to share this thing he loves with his grandson. But loving someone in an overbearing way like that just doesn’t work. At least, not with Alex. (And, uh, hi. Not with this viewer either. Especially not when it comes to estranged family. Nope.)

“He’s more at home here than on Earth.”

Weirdly, if we zoom out and look at the moment in the hospital area with Dima, the easy place for Pappy Poppy!Ed to try and “broaden [Alex’s] horizons a little bit” would be…in exactly the same way Dev did. Bond over space nerd things. Even with Ed literally worlds away for the kid’s whole life, they have this one very obvious thing in common. Fascinating, actually, how the kid’s heart literally beats stronger in space where he was conceived…and where all his grandfather’s hopes and dreams are. Guess that’s none of our business, but we’re going to cry about it anyway.

Meanwhile on Earth…

For All Mankind 4×07 delivers on another big, emotional story: Aleida’s. Imagine going to do an interview, expecting to talk about this great discovery…and getting emotionally attacked for the sake of ratings. Wait. We don’t have to imagine it because that’s exactly what happens to Aleida in “Crossing the Line.” This lady on the Eagle News channel doesn’t care about Aleida’s actual, complicated feelings about Margo Madison — she just wants a story about “Moscow Margo,” aka “the worst traitor in American history.”

“She fucking sandbagged me. Barely even asked me about the asteroid.”

This Zoey lady just pushes, and pushes, and pushes when Aleida is clearly uncomfortable. It gets so bad, she’s stumbling all over her words — something Aleida Rosales, uh, does not do. The conversation is bad enough when it comes to simply discussing Margo at all, with Aleida going from a manageable level of nerves over the interview, to pure terror when hearing that name, to…someone else entirely. Someone familiar, yet still out of place. We’ll call her…Hm. How about: A much younger, zero fucks given, mad at the world (and rightfully so) Aleida. It’s the same defense mechanism from 20 years ago (FAM Standard Time).

…but this isn’t actually the old Aleida. She’s older, wiser…and has children. Children who are watching this interview with their mom, at home. For as much fun as it is to see Coral Peña work her character through her many different moods during the interview, and for as much as it’s such a boss moment to watch as she barges into Hobson’s office later, it’s the Aleida outside the job that’s most interesting in “Crossing the Line.” For one thing, there’s such a huge contrast between the onscreen (screen in screen?) rage in the interview, and her kind of…”oops” moment when she covers her daughter’s ears back at home. Same with her rushing to turn the interview off. (Dare we call the former…cute?)

But then…we’re kind of punched in the face by the larger truth:

“I don’t care about the interview, Vic. It’s her. Margo. When I first saw her…I was so happy she was alive. You know? I couldn’t believe it. But now that she’s coming back, I just…I wish she was still dead….But she’s not. She’s coming back. She’s coming back here.”

No, Aleida isn’t over it. And no, she doesn’t feel good about how she feels about it either. (In case anyone is asking, no, we also don’t feel good about seeing Aleida suffer so much again. Especially after the episode set us up with some comedic gold building up to her moment with Victor.) Complicated feelings about a loved one can’t be solved like an engineering problem. So, the way this episode continues the fallout of Aleida’s shock surrounding Margo’s sudden return is right on point. And, as always, Peña is brilliant.

More on For All Mankind 4×07

• Love that opening shot of all the work areas just…abandoned with nothing but some Modest Mouse to keep us company.
• “Don’t try to make this about me, Dani.” Very much don’t think Dani’s the one doing that.
• “They don’t give two shits about these workers.” True, though.
• Krys Marshall’s facepalm is a work of art. Hang that in the Louvre. Same goes for the sense of being both frustrated and exhausted the whole way through this argument, yet frustrated in a completely different way when Massey makes a direct plea to her. Her hands are tied. And she wants this mission to succeed…but she cares.
• You know what? “Poor middle management gets squeezed and put in terrible places because of the corporate overlords” might…be a good, nuanced way to look at Danielle’s part in most of this. Even so. It would hit harder with Ed and her swapped. I said what I said.
• “We want for you to get off your goddamn throne and give us what’s fair.” This was so…wrong and hypocritical. Gross, even. And my God, the shock and hurt on top of Dani physically having to sit back after that blow.
• You can tell Irina is evil because she thinks a strike is a tantrum. Next.
• “Our power is in sticking together.” Love Massey’s passion in all this. If only people saw her as the leader she is, as opposed to giving Ed that undeserved distinction.
• Margo Madison, inappropriately cracking up in the middle of a very serious meeting? Nature is healing.
• “I don’t…no, no. I — I can’t go back. that was not part of our agreement.” The complete bewilderment and internal battle in all this…Wrenn Schmidt, folks.
• “You know what I get a sense of? That you’re a fucking hack of a reporter.” Full offense: I applauded.
• “It was just starting to get good.” Team Javi.
• Shoutout to Vic for laughing at Aleida for being mortified. Because that’s our girl.
• “In fact, my brother texted saying how much he loved it when you flipped her off as you were leaving.” (Would also have loved this.)
• Meanwhile: “I did?!”
• It’s a comedy…just kidding.
• That “what can I do” is everything. (As in, everything that hurts.)
• “Little Man.” “And you must be the young Luke Skywalker.” Ok ok. Literally everyone knows how to talk to Alex except his big, scary Poppy.
• Score one for Ed not forcing a hug on the kid, though.
• “These are your workers. They’ve got legitimate grievances against your company.” THERE SHE IS.
• And also THIS. “Dev, I know you’re used to being in charge. But when you’re up here, on my base? What I say goes. clear?” The shot of her in the corridor, too. That’s Commander Danielle Poole, friends!
• “Did you like him?” “I liked him very much. He loved playing games. And he would always beat me.” Wrecked me.
• Ezrah Lin is a superstar, actually. The sense of wonder when Alex first sees the canyon Dev points out to him, the way he takes everything in, the shyness around Ed, the stuff with Dima…
• “Time to start making some of that sweet, sweet galactic go-juice.” She is a nerd (complimentary).
• “Oh, you done good, kiddo.” And just like that, he was the Ed Baldwin we love again. So much joy!
• Kelly Baldwin, still an Aleida Rosales stan: Confirmed. (And same.)
• “You already have a home.” !!!
• “Fuuuck the M-7 charter…” This has surpassed Jennifer Carpenter’s “sweet Mary, mother of fuck that’s good” line from Dexter as my favorite “fuck” delivery of all time.
• “Well, I can’t work with her.” Narrator: She can.
• “…non-lethal rounds, and they can’t pierce the walls of the habs.” “And skin.” Will!!!!
• “It doesn’t tickle.” “Delightful.” Ok, ok. Respect Hobson a lot more now, too.
• “…terrorists…” Can we not?
• I know this episode isn’t trying to make me think ACAB includes Danielle Poole. Absolutely not. NO.
• “Fuck your profit!!!” Mood.
• “Don’t believe a goddamn word this man says. He’s a snake oil salesman.”
• “Y’all make me sick.” Same with most of y’all for me these days. 100%.
• Aleida watching the news about Margo’s arrival…no words.
• The notes when Margo pulls up at the new space center, named for her former rival Molly Cobb, sees the monument with the names from the Johnson bombing, sees Molly’s name: “AHHHHHHH.”
• “Why the fuck would I help you?” The venom. Remind me to never piss off Joel Kinnaman.
• Watching those wheel’s turn in Ed’s head and the moment he figures out what Dev’s saying is an experience.
• And that grin from Kinnaman. It is sly. Admiral Baldwin is ready for — dare I make a Suits reference — one last con.

Thoughts on For All Mankind 4×07? Leave us a comment!

New episodes of For All Mankind release weekly on Apple TV+.