For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 1 Review: ‘First Light’

For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 1 “First Light” is the typical sort of season premiere we’ve come to expect from this series. It catches up on what we’ve missed in the decade since we last visited this version of the world, begins a new day with the obligatory “Margo gets ready” sequence—now with Aleida’s version, which is eerily similar to Margo’s past versions alongside it!—and introduces us to new characters. Maybe we’re not quite sure about the newbies this early on, but if history has taught us anything, it’s that we’ll become dangerously attached to them by the time the decade’s out.

In a lot of ways, though, this premiere has a very different feel to it. Now, instead of a plan to keep space exploration moving forward, many of the headlines are about consequences for the citizens of Mars after the worker uprising and theft of the Goldilocks asteroid at the end of Season 4. Mars itself looks a lot different—and not in a good way. It’s basically a police state. “Peacekeepers” roam about to ensure both the curfew and all sorts of other rules are followed. Strictly. Back on Earth, former VP Bragg is suddenly President, and he’s vowing to uphold and “Earth First” agenda that’s eerily like the “America First” rhetoric of the real, modern era. It’s almost as if, after decades upon decades of scientific progress and creating a better world, we’ve inevitably wound up facing an effort to abandon all of that—dismantle it, even.

It feels strange to say, considering there’s always been both political and personal strife on this series with many, many gutting losses along the way—but there’s just something less comforting about For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 1. It’s maybe not fully cynical or dark, exactly, but there are warning signs everywhere that the season could go in that direction. That discomfort feels even weirder to sit with when part of this hour is all about meeting the 2012 graduates of the Happy Valley Institute of Education. They have their whole future ahead of them. In fact, as Governor Polivanov says during their graduation ceremony, “they are the future.” But right now, with Ed Baldwin’s grandson Alex so unsure about what he even wants to do and Miles trying to keep his daughter away from the fight, we don’t really know what that future looks like.

On top of all of that, there’s the murder in space—initially assumed to be one of several suicides. And Lee Jung-Gil’s the prime suspect. (Which, like, absolutely not.) So, we’re at the “a lot of death and misery in between and along the way…” part of the Russian fairytale. Things look bleak, as opposed to hopeful. And we seem to be asking, especially for our older characters, if all they’ve been through so far was even worth it.

So, For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 1 is great TV, as great as ever. But it’s difficult to grapple with because even this alt-history finds a way, not to repeat the behaviors we’ve failed to learn from—but to rhyme. As our heroes grow even older, a major question becomes whether or not anyone can possibly step up to fill their impossibly large shoes. And will they recognize that change often doesn’t happen overnight, that it must be earned—and its oh, so fragile gains protected at all costs—in increments? Or will they attempt, for lack of a better way of putting it, to fly too close to the sun and come crashing down to Earth, defeated?

We’ll have to wait and see, but in the meantime, at least those personal, character-driven moments that have always been the heart of this gem of a series are as strong, and as precious, as ever. No, strike that. Each second with what’s left of the original generation, the one that began this series at the end of our 2010s, is more precious than ever.

MORE: What should you expect this season? Here’s everything we know about For All Mankind Season 5.

“It’s good to see you”

Anyone who’s either followed my coverage of For All Mankind or has had the privilege of listening to me gush about it in person knows there are two aspects of this series I love above everything else it has going for it: Danielle Poole—whose presence is certainly missed in this season premiere—and the Aleida/Margo relationship. I also adore both Margo and Aleida individually, but their decades-long journey and what they’ve meant to one another has always had a profound impact on me. So, it should probably be no surprise that Aleida’s visit to see her old mentor and friend is easily the best part of For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 1 for me.

Coral Peña and Wrenn Schmidt continue to masterfully combine their impeccable talents with a beautiful, challenging, comforting, devastating story like none other. In this hour, Aleida has already faced one stressful situation after another. Life as Helios’ CEO comes with “Dev’s usual nonsense.” And then, there’s the difficulty of parenting a teenage daughter who appears to have inherited her mother’s rebellious spirit. All that tension melts away as she’s with Margo, though. Aleida’s relieved smile when she spots the other woman waiting for her is probably the first true moment of peace she has in this “First Light.”

And, as she plays innocent about her teen years and jokes with Margo over everything from how “annoying” she is with her lifetime of rule following (until, you know, Sergei) or leans in, conspiratorially whispering to her best friend about Graci’s dating life, she comes alive, brightens up in a way that could rival that sun rising over Mars. It’s not all fun and games, though—never has been. Between that keen way Margo studies her that gets her to start putting the armor down in the first place, and the mention of her late father that totally rips it away, Aleida can be vulnerable here. Time has well and truly mended, strengthened even, what was once broken and shoved behind that impenetrable wall of hers.

In fact, for all the many excellent moments Peña gives us in For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 1, it’s that moment of vulnerability that’s the absolute killer. As soon as Margo tells Aleida, “he would’ve been so proud of you if he could see you now,” the emotion that Peña delivers is a punch to the gut. As she says “I think he would want to see me happy,” Aleida tries so hard to plaster on a smile. But it doesn’t meet her eyes at all. Then, she continues, “and uh…” taking a pause that seems to last a lifetime as that fake smile just melts away in measures, ultimately settling on a broken “I don’t know if I am.”

It’s the perfect battle against all that self-doubt, against a lifetime of demons and the still-uncomfortable idea of showing anyone the pain underneath that attitude we know and love. And every fraction of a second is just…lovely work. Throughout, as Margo listens—really listens—and obviously feels for the little girl she met all those years ago, now grown, Schmidt does her own stellar work. When it’s time for Margo to respond, the profound sadness, the tragedy of this character’s life, is ever present. It’s all the hesitation, the quiet, the way she can barely force out “at least you have something to balance.”

If nothing up until this point crushes you, then surely, Margo’s reflection on how she worked so hard just to end up behind bars should. More crushing, it’s still a better place than in Season 4. See also: the sad smile out in that prison yard. “I mean, I spent my whole life working, pushing for more, keeping everyone away,” she tells Aleida. We know where this ends. But, somehow, hearing it from Margo’s lips and witnessing it through Schmidt’s performance now makes the reminder hurt so much more. Every little stop to gather herself, the pervasive sadness—it’s all so exquisitely done.

When Schmidt barely raises her brows, clears her throat, and lets the tears start to well up in her eyes, we know the heartbreak’s coming. It most surely does. “And in the end…here I am,” she finishes. It’s pretty clear Aleida can’t bear to see her friend like this any more than Margo could stand Aleida being unhappy. But it’s ok. Because, as Aleida says after taking her hand, “I’m still here.” It’s basically an “I love you.” Similarly, Margo’s “and I’m grateful. For that” might as well be an “I love you, too.”

The world melts away when these two are together. Yet, those of us on the outside looking in at them either have experienced, or will experience, what they share in For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 1. Not everyone will find this type of bond. But there seems to always come a point where we look back on our lives, wondering if all we’ve done was worth it. It’s human to do that, whether you’re the first woman in Mission Control, or a little girl with huge potential who overcame the odds of a far-too-cruel immigration system…or just about anyone else. There will always be regrets, obstacles, stresses, doubts. But it’s all so much more bearable, so much easier to face the next challenge and the next, when you know you’re not alone.

MORE: Aleida and Margo’s reunion in Season 4 destroyed us in the best way.

“Looking sharp, Admiral”

Ed Baldwin has been…a lot. He’s easy to love, sometimes even easier to hate, but he’s been a key figure on this series since the beginning. So, when For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 1 shows how significantly he’s aged since we last saw him, it’s rough. The admiral’s dress blues are suddenly too large on him. His aching body makes a corridor that would once be nothing for him to walk down look and feel so much longer. The camera does a fantastic job of pulling out, following him on his walk to illustrate how far away everything feels now. But it’s Joel Kinnaman’s physical acting—that faltering, ginger gait or the way he moves oh, so slowly in every single scene—that fully gets the message across. Even his posture, usually so proud and upright—especially when in uniform—has failed him.

But Ed is still Ed. Stubborn, set in his ways, judgmental. He makes a stop, uses what little bit of energy he has to lift his leg and have his monitor set off an alarm—just to f*** with people. During the graduation ceremony, he grumbles away, muttering through it. “The Governor of Bullsh**. I mean, nothing’s sacred anymore. Man, look at these woodpeckers. What the he** do they think we’re gonna do,” he says to Kelly as she rubs his arm with a “Dad, not now.” He’s also the same old Ed who wants everyone around him, especially family, to share in his big dreams. He asks his grandson Alex what he’s going to do next, puts the pressure on him to “do things that people in this room can’t even fathom,” and doesn’t pick up on how daunting that pressure actually is for the kid.

A lot of Ed’s signs of aging are normal—eh, except for the TV magic For All Mankind uses to age Kinnaman—but toward the end of this Season 5 premiere, we get the real knife to the chest. Ed Baldwin won’t live forever. He has cancer, and (typical Ed) he’s in denial about it. Of all the things Kinnaman does with the character in this hour, the moment he can’t deny how bad his situation is anymore hits hardest. After Dima shuts down Ed’s talk of wanting to take one last flight, that absolutely deflated look he has about him is brilliant. We have rarely known Ed to give up an argument that easily; he certainly bickers his way through the DSM meeting. But this is, likely, when the realization fully hits that he’ll never do the thing he loves again. And that…just…ouch.

It’s also almost surely when it hits that he is, in fact, mortal. And Ed doesn’t have the ability to go out in a blaze of glory anymore either. Not unless a miracle occurs. So, for as much as he’s a stubborn ba**ard, there’s an awful sadness to seeing him like this. Additionally, while it’s frustrating that he wants to keep his family in the dark, it’s also just…Ed. Like, of course, he doesn’t want to lean on anyone and feel like some kind of burden.

And of course he’s going to push poor Alex to “make the next move.” Because he can’t do it himself—yet his work remains unfinished.

MORE: Back in Season 3, we kinda wanted to smack Ed around a bit. Now, it’s hard not to feel bad for him.

More For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 1 reactions

CIA torture on Mars. Yeah. Like I said back then, certain real-life politicians would be proud. Glad there are hearings for that mess.
Well. For all the bad news in that update reel, at least Hurricane Katrina was downgraded because we didn’t f*** the planet nearly as much by that point in this timeline.
AND BLOCKBLUSTER! Breaking Bad! A book by Ellen Waverly! (I miss her. Anyone else miss her?)
“…no respect for the law or a hard day’s work, but we will not back down.” Bigot. Humanity can’t help othering people when times get tough, huh.
“…to stand up for our people, our planet, and for our way of life.” Ok, fascist.
“FREE MARS.”
God, but this is gorgeous scenery…and God, do I love that first opening credits theme of the season more than any other.
The way Margo shuffles to that cafeteria, struggles to sit down…and immediately fixates on the space news in her paper. Most Margo thing ever.
What a beautiful moment from Schmidt when Margo’s out there in the yard. This is literally freedom compared to her time in Russia—or even her years of sneaking around. Oh, to be at peace and free from the burden of living a double life.
It’s the way Aleida dumps all her sh** on this Liam dude for me. A BOSS.
Diminished. That’s the word I’d use for Ed here. Ouch.
“Same old bulls—. They make those rules just to show who is boss.” Ilya’s not wrong.
Poor Kelly. 895 drill sites, multiple samples per site. Nothing. Again, For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 1 is asking us if anything is even worth the trouble. Does anything matter? Did all the sacrifice make a difference? Here Kelly is, late for her kid’s graduation, literally brought him up here to live on Mars…for nothing.
If looks could kill, Admiral Baldwin would’ve just ended Polivanov.
In our very first introduction to teen Alex, Sean Kaufman tells us exactly who he is. Not a fan of the spotlight, far too weighed down by everyone’s expectations, totally unsure. (And all of that is actually fine at this age, especially in these extreme circumstances!) I particularly love how that tiny smile for the roaring crowd’s benefit that doesn’t last is just…so self-conscious.
“You should have a voice in shaping the future up here.” For all Ed’s many faults, and even for the unfair way he puts such a burden on Alex here, he’s right. I very much appreciate and prefer this over what Miles does with Lily. (Who, uh, is tagging the place with “FREE MARS” at night anyway.)
The youths are youthing. I’m sure I’ll look back and treasure this later, but right now, I’m like…meh.
Ahhh, the classic Aleida eye roll never gets old.
“I know she’s your friend.” “That’s got nothing to do with it.” Sure, Aleida.
Oh…this poor kid. He wants the ocean. Heartbreaking to long for the one thing he can’t have because of his health.
If that isn’t Ed Baldwin’s mirror image…
What a nice mother/son moment. The tension and frustration is completely understandable. Kelly is away all the time, searching for life, and he’s obviously sick of it and hurt that she doesn’t just stay more. But she’s still so…so supportive and loving, and despite the rough patch, there’s a lovely closeness there between her and Alex. His little joke about a nap? Priceless.
Phew, the relevance to the current moment. “Nobody here is happy with the way things turned out…constantly looking over your shoulder, worrying that they’ll send you or your family back if you step out of line. Look, we all want a say in our future. But we can’t fall back into chaos. I know it’s not the sexy way, but this is how change happens. Inch by inch.” “Change happens when a few determined individuals make it happen.” Both. It takes both. Strategically—not recklessly—doing both.
“Yeah, see, they tend to not like it when you say that to them. You know, she’s a modern woman now.” Ed. Stop talking. For a series that started with putting women into the space program way sooner, we sure have…this from our hero. Still?
…the joyride is a bit long. But then, Kaufman’s performance after Alex discovers that nasty AF looking body…kinda makes up for it.
Every time I hear “pull a Gordo” in For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 1, I want to punch something. For one thing, what a gross, dismissive way of discussing these (alleged) suicide runs and Gordo’s mental health struggles. Second: He and Tracy were heroes. HAVE SOME EFFIN’ RESPECT.
…we’re mansplaining gravity to the lady “Peacekeeper” now, and she’s apologizing to Palmer for sharing her concerns. Make Mars Misogynistic Again!
“So, she’s a—a mathematician now?” This ain’t the FAM vibes, fam.
The way Peña pulls back and those eyes are about to pop out of her head after Graci tells her mom to “chill out.” Whew.
“Give me a break. When I was your age…” “Yeah, yeah. You were on the streets and had no money…” Understatement.
The 2938743 emotions she filters true before “…Audrey?”
No but this whole mother/daughter fight, really. What great work from both actors, and it’s, uh…very informative about how much Graci inherited from her mom.
Not the old war stories.
“He didn’t choose to come here, Dad. I made that choice for him, for my own career. And right now, it seems like it was all for nothing.” Beautiful moment from Cynthy Wu. Painful to consider for Kelly.
When we see Ed through Kelly’s eyes, he looks even older and more diminished than in the rest of the episode. Oof.
The little trumpet imitation. Nerd.
“The less you depend on others, the happier you will be.” Nice pause for Ed to let that sink in. Then, “take it from me. They could not have been more wrong.”
That lighting with the shadow on Ed’s face, and the way the shadow grows, is…not a good sign.
This Marcus dude can go already.
…that tight hug there at the end is sweet, though.
I mean, it’s no “hi, Bob.” But. Sweet.
Aleida visits Margo regularly if she’s on a first name basis with these guards, huh.
That long corridor…
Margo having all those neat calculations ready for Aleida: On brand.
“These are like gold in here. I was running low.” “Yeah? What are you trading Tootsie Rolls for these days?” “Oh, the usual. Shovels, weapons, what have you.” That dry humor! I LOVE HER.
“I know what you’re gonna say, ok?” Love how Peña throws her hands up in surrender there.
“You did almost let a boy keep you out of the Kennedy School.” “Huh I don’t remember that.” “Mmhm.” My girls!
Even the Ilya charm doesn’t work on these people. WOW.
But, for what it’s worth, I do appreciate that Boyd actually questions things and realizes that “suicide” wasn’t a murder. I’ll give her that. She’s also as good natured about turning down Ilya’s bribe as possible.
It doesn’t mean I have to like Happy Valley being turned into Cop Valley, though.
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
YOU LEAVE LEE ALONE.
…Dani would never.