For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 10 Review: ‘This Land Is Our Land’

For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 10 backs the clock up to show viewers what was going on at MOCC in this season’s penultimate episode. In doing so, the hour reveals the truth behind Lenya’s capture. It’s…good news, in terms of his character not actually being a cowardly snake who tricked Miles and the Marsies before slinking back to the comforts of so-called leadership. But it’s also horribly disturbing news because of the loss of life and the gravity (no pun intended) of the decisions leaders must make to protect their own.

As the hour unfolds, the war for Mars’ independence eventually comes to a close. But not before we see, over and over again, how senseless the fighting really is. In the end, it’s a shared humanity that actually wins. Alex and AJ learn, in their very brief time away from all the action, that they’re not really enemies. Or, at least, neither person is the evil “Other” they’ve been taught to expect. Both care deeply for Haskell, and both are haunted, agonizing over the things they’ve done to protect their respective “sides” of the conflict. Alex can’t fathom what might have happened if they’d actually killed their mutual friend, while AJ shares that she’ll never forget the first woman she shot and killed.

Still, Jarrett returns to her unit and gets right back into the thick of things. And what a thought-provoking plot point that is. In the end, we all have our roles to play; we all have our commitments to keep and our orders to follow. There’s the big picture of that, versus the individual tragedies that come as a result. Is it wrong for AJ to return to the mission and shoot at more people who may be just as normal, just as like her, as Alex? Maybe. Probably. I don’t know. Yet, everyone should be thankful she does because her blocking another person’s shot keeps Alex alive long enough to tell the Marsies about the ceasefire.

Because in the end, as the M-6 forces are surrounded and things are about to be the most deadly they’ve been yet, the war is already over without anyone who’s actually stuck in the thick of it knowing. As Aleida puts it when the message from Irina’s contacts finally comes through, “they’re gonna kill each other for no reason.” If Miles is right when he makes that terrible decision to decimate a roomful of people in an instant, at a distance, with the push of a button—if it’s true that the Marsies are fighting for their humanity—is each individual civilian death, no matter which “side” they were on, proof that everyone lost?

Viewers can come to For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 10 for the anxious, suspenseful build-up, the wondering “what if” and “who dies” and “how will it end.” They can be drawn in by the chaos, the pounding, rapid heartbeat quality of the score, or even the hope for ordinary people to overthrow their oppressors. All of that plays out, but there’s not much glory for anyone other than those who dare to want to save lives rather than end them. And, at the very least, as we see with Miles’ unbearable struggle, both immediately before and immediately after pressing that button, any real leader should understand the weight, the cost, the human toll of actions that should only ever be taken as a last resort. Because there’s no glory, no peace, no freedom in killing innocents.

It’s a powerful season finale, one that ends with lovely moments of joy living side-by-side with crushing grief. And in the end, it’s all the unlikely connections and all the moral shades of gray—some much darker than others—these people experience that makes it yet another powerful closing chapter to yet another decade.

MORE: Take a look back at how For All Mankind Season 5 began with our review of the season premiere.

“Some problems…can’t be worked”

With everything happening on Mars, we haven’t checked in on Earth much. And Margo, who’s been such a huge part of the story in past seasons, has been sidelined. For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 10 changes that when she receives a surprise visit from Graciana. But it doesn’t necessarily change it in the way Graci, or even fans, might hope for. The NASA Margo once knew is gone, and the people she used to be able to call when she needed information aren’t willing or able to give it anymore. Maybe some of those people aren’t even around anymore at all.

So, what we see play out, as Margo puts herself out there and tries, over and over again with no luck, is a person trying to reach back in time to a life that no longer exists. And, because it doesn’t exist anymore, she can’t help Graci the way she wishes she could. But just trying, and just being there, makes all the difference in the world. That’s just as important as anything. She does, however, still fail to learn anything about Aleida. At first, it’s that same old determination to figure out a solution, but what starts reluctantly yet with at least some foolish hope spirals into one rapid-fire hang up after another until a whole list of possibilities is nothing but dead ends. Even Will Turner (!!!), who seems to genuinely hate to say it, can’t give Margo anything.

It’s…there’s always been a certain tragedy and loneliness to Margo Madison, but this is a whole new level of it. Now, the person who used to be able to find a way to work any problem is left with the quiet, hopeless realization that she can’t solve this one. She can’t get answers about Aleida for Graci, much less find a way to bring her home. One thing she can do, which she was perfect for with Aleida and is just as good at with Mini Aleida, is care. The shot of Margo reaching out to the daughter of the very person whose hands she clasped in goodbye earlier this season might or might not have broken something in me.

But by the end of For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 10, there’s a new hope. Graciana’s back for another visit, and we don’t know exactly what these two people discuss, but based on the newspapers in front of them and the pure joy from both characters, it’s likely that discovery of life on Titan and the person they both love who’s, hopefully, coming home. It’s one of those plot points that shouldn’t be one of the biggest stories of this finale, given the war, the Titan mission, and the implications of both. But it’s actually because it’s just that small, human connection that feels equal parts a continuation of a found family and a totally new beginning—a second chance, almost, for Margo—that it is important. This, right here, is what everyone else, so far away, is fighting for.

…or maybe it’s just really nice to see Margo Madison actually get to smile again. Either way.

MORE: Last season, after an initially rough reunion with Aleida, Margo and a much younger Graciana had a sweet moment.

The idealist…and the effin’ CEO

Meanwhile, on Mars, Aleida has her own difficult problems to solve. First, there’s the absolutely gutting back and forth between her and Miles as he does what he thinks is necessary to win the war—and she warns him against losing his humanity. Toby Kebbell makes it clear in that always understated, yet always easy to feel, way of his that this isn’t a decision Miles takes lightly. He feels every bit of condemnation, every horrified and devastated reaction Aleida has to the whole plan. It’s like she’s both very much herself—experiencing her own reactions—and very much Miles’ conscience, the voice he’ll be hearing inside his head for years to come after this.

Unsurprisingly, Coral Peña is a force to be reckoned with in For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 10. As I’ve said about her many times before, she has the ability to destroy an audience, and she very much does it here. Aleida has too much to deal with, people she feels responsible for that could very much end up as collateral damage in a war they’re a world away from. She can’t reestablish communications with Sojourner, and this is happening as she’s feeling the loss of all those lives Lenya leads to their unsuspecting doom. And, ultimately, the briefest glimmer of hope gets shattered when Miles realizes he has to be the one to pull the metaphorical trigger. It’s an awful, desperate situation, one she rightly knows she’s also contributed to. And now…what?

Any of us who can’t stand the thought of a single life lost in conflicts all around the globe ought to be able to see ourselves in the pure exhaustion, the depth of empathy, and sense of helplessness on display here. Thankfully, this war does come to an end. And it’s Aleida, paired with the one person I probably would’ve never guessed, who is a huge part of turning the tide. Without Irina and Aleida teaming up and getting those old KGB satellites functional again, who knows what might have happened? How many additional lives would’ve been lost without communication? I’m glad we’ll never have to find out.

When Aleida’s at possibly her lowest point, Irina is uncharacteristically open and gentle with her, nudging her toward a solution. In most cases, I’d say she’s just playing Aleida, doing whatever’s necessary to get in touch with her contacts at Star City and find out the status of Korzhenko’s downfall. But I just…don’t think it’s that, this time. Like, yes. Irina wants to know what’s going on back on Earth. Of course. But that scene when the two characters are alone at MOCC, when Irina shares that she used to be “as idealistic as [Aleida]. Perhaps even more so” is too…honest.

(Or maybe it’s just that I know what Irina is saying is truthful, thanks to meeting the younger version of her in Star City.)

At any rate, Svetlana Efremova and Coral Peña are as great together when their characters are allies as when they’re enemies. And Aleida’s last-resort choice to work with this person is a key step to ending this war. So, when extreme situations call for extreme measures, it’s nice to see them work out in a peaceful way. (…for everyone except, probably Korzhenko and whoever remains loyal to him.) I’ll take that over what Miles has to do, and I’ll take Miles’ regret over dudes who gloat over slop-generated videos of “boat go boom” any day.

MORE: Aleida and Irina had a very different encounter to at the end of Season 4.

Kelly’s grand finale

In For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 10, Kelly Baldwin finally finds what she’s been searching for all these years—life. But she doesn’t find life on Mars like she’d originally hoped. Instead, stranded on Titan with precious little oxygen left for the crew and no contact with MOCC (or even Sojourner, by this point), she sneaks in one last test…that p**ses Walt off, somewhat understandably. And, miraculously, it’s the one. But it comes at an unbearably high price. The rover won’t start, so the only way back is by foot. But between the dwindling oxygen supply, the distance, and Elena’s injury, someone has to stay behind.

Ultimately, that someone is Kelly. It’s as fitting and noble an ending as it is a frustrating one. For her to give her life to the cause of finding life makes for a bittersweet, full-circle sort of arc. If her purpose has been this, and she can accomplish this, no sacrifice can be too great.

On the other hand, there’s Alex. His father died on Mars before he was born, his mom brought him to the red planet and away from his maternal grandfather at a very young age, his Poppy died recently, and now…this. As in, he’s still so very young with basically no family left, so it’s difficult to think about her making the choice that she does in this finale.

But Kelly has a point. Alex is grown now, whereas Walt’s kids are young. Even if he still seems so very young, especially as we watch the war on Mars through his eyes, he’s technically an adult. Not to mention, there is a double standard in how society treats men and women in this situation. So, some of my knee-jerk reaction here—something along the lines of “Kelly, WTF. YOU ARE ABANDONING ALEX”—is probably at least partially shaded by that.

Regardless of how we judge Kelly’s choices this season, they are her choices to make. And the discovery she makes because of them is huge. This isn’t just life elsewhere in the solar system; it’s an entirely new form of life, independent of our own. Which means there could be life everywhere in forms that we’ve yet to consider. Sometimes, dreaming big pays off. And Kelly’s story, however tragically it ends or however much she’s frustrated others along the way, features payoff at an unparalleled level. This is what never giving up on a dream looks like, even if the endgame is the most complicated, and saddest, version.

Outside of the actual storytelling and whether or not viewers believe Kelly did the right thing, there’s Cynthy Wu’s performance in For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 10. That, on its own, is stellar. There are many standout moments, between the anxiety over not being able to reach anyone on comms, the (apparently premature) grief for Elena after Walt’s update on her wound, the wonder at finding life, and even that screaming match with Walt.

But it’s when Kelly takes that seemingly endless, quiet beat to come to the realization that “there’s only one way” to have a chance at letting others know what the crew has discovered that she just kills it. For one thing, the way her voice gets so deep on that “only one way,” too full of emotion to sound at all like her usual self, makes it clear what’s about to happen. Then, there’s a certain power and determination to the way she says the decision is “final” as everyone’s trying to save each other with no concern for their own selves.

And oh, does Wu put on a show after Walt mentions that Kelly has a son. This, right here—somehow more than during that final vidmail, more than those last moments we spend with her on Titan—is Wu’s big moment. That smile is one of a very proud mother, who loves her son very much. But the tears shining in her eyes, the waver in her voice, and—yes, even the smile itself, too—are all pure grief. Regret that she’ll never know what comes next, never see Alex reach his full potential. She’s missed so much and will miss so much more.

There’s no doubt when Kelly says, “and it breaks my heart I won’t see him again. But he’s grown now. He’ll be ok. I know he will” that it does break her heart. She can’t believe her little boy’s all grown up. And although she does, in fact, know he’ll be ok, she also can’t bear the thought that maybe he won’t be or that, no matter what comes next, she’ll miss it all. Again, this isn’t easy for Kelly, no matter how important finding life has always been to her.

I’m also completely fascinated by those last moments we spend with Kelly to close out For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 10. The movement choices Wu makes, in particular, are impossible to ignore. From those labored steps and panting breaths, to that…swaying sort of dance through the water, she delivers. What a way to go out.

MORE: This isn’t the first time Kelly Baldwin has done something dangerous, yet extraordinary.

More For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 10 reactions

“War is simply politics by other means.”
You know Aleida’s tired AF when all she can manage is kind of a weak baleful look after Miles interrupts her there at the beginning. The usual attitude is just…not worth the effort.
This broke me: “I’m saying…that everyone in this room bears some responsibility, too.” It’s all about the emotion in Peña’s voice on “saying,” then how she switches back to something more muted, all while her gaze maintains all that intensity of emotion. And then, there’s the beat she takes as Aleida struggles through it all before ending on that hushed, forced out, “including myself.”
But wait! She’s even more emotional right after that! “It’s easy to start a war, but it’s almost impossible to stop one. So, while you’re busy trying to…figure out how to take people’s lives, please let me focus on saving some.” And that’s where the anger hits—right there at the end. Because she’s so worried about Kelly and the others on Titan. That “figure” hits like a stab with a knife.
My brain: I bet Margo could help her reestablish comms if she were here.
Oh, Lenya, I’m sorry I ever doubted you! Props to Costa Ronin there because I really, truly had no idea in Episode 9. Looking back, I’m still not sure he gives anything away in that version of the scene. Genius.
That shot where the camera has us gazing in, through the cell bars, as Margo listens to the news and is oh, so worried!
“Think he can pull this off?” I…that fond smile from Irina? “Comrade Polivanov has always been resourceful.” WHAT IS THE REASON.
…I have theories based on names of certain characters in Star City. But still.
Love the way Christopher Denham makes that frustrated little gesture and tosses that headset down when Walt, too, gets no answer.
“That’s not a thing! You can’t hand off command and then just take it back!” “I just did!” Objectively hilarious.
“It is inexcusable behavior in a long line of inexcusable behavior!!!” He…doesn’t even know the worst of what Kelly’s done, does he?
A miracle to end the war on Titan!
Lenya just pouring on the charm. Amazing.
“You’re gonna burn all those people to death? You can’t do that.” Love that almost-whisper at the end.
Another fascinating moment from Efremova: “People in that room? Are here to kill us by any means necessary.” Irina is cold and to the point here as you’d expect. Yet, she’s also…not?
“I know this is a war, and I know you’re fighting for your life, but you can’t do this.” Her voice shaking on “war.” To think, this is the same Aleida Rosales who f**kin’ hates people. (Relatable, actually. Sometimes, those of us who hate people the most also love them the most. Just saying.)
Ronin kills it with Lenya’s “oh, sh**” reaction to seeing Ilya dragged in. I’m not sure how nobody else notices how desperate he is to get suspicion off the other man and get him out of there, but I guess people will believe whatever version of a story they’re already programmed to believe.
These quick cuts from Aleida’s desperate pleading with Miles, to Lenya frantically trying to get Ilya to listen to him, and back again. What a way to highlight how little time there is to do it on one hand…and avoid being one of the casualties on the other.
I’m not remotely surprised that the music just stopping doesn’t actually stop the terror. Nor am I surprised that Lenya barely gets Ilya out on time, and everything is just slow-motion horror from the outside of that room. But wow, does For All Mankind always sell these moments. This season finale is no different.
Kebbell just…wow.
Aleida struggling through it, that tiny swallow, the deadly silence…
And then, more of Kebbell just…that realization of what Miles has done. So much blood on his hands, so much guilt to process—and no time.
Wrenn Schmidt just gingerly struggling to sit down here—I’m worried about Margo.
“Dad said there’s nothing we can do from down here and that we have to be patient. But I can’t.” The tears. She’s so small and young again.
“You’re your mother’s daughter.” “She always said you were the smartest person she knew, that there’s no problem you couldn’t solve. So, I thought…maybe, maybe you can help me.”
The way Margo grieves when Graci begs her and says no one else will help. Stunning.
Walt and Kelly: From about to cut each other to finishing each other’s sentences.
Interesting lighting choice when Kelly realizes that rover isn’t going to start. Like a shadowy sort of halo?
Alex and Avery, both trying to help Haskell and reassure him however they can—just on opposite sides there. Brilliant framing.
You can watch Margo give up in real time. Thanks. I hate it. (It’s super well done.)
“I just want to know if Aleida Rosales…if you can tell me anything about her.” The way Schmidt trails off here gutted me. Margo can’t even finish the thought to be able to ask if Aleida’s alive.
“If it makes a difference, I’m asking for her daughter, her family, not just me.” YOU’RE HER FAMILY, TOO.
This is so angsty. Two people who used to be from the same world and now just…aren’t. So much tension across that phone line, so much pain for me.
“I am. Sorry, Margo. You know, I wish…I could help you, but you know, sometimes you just…” “Can’t. I know. Thank you for at least taking my call. It was…nice to hear your voice.” His little sad smile???? “Yours too. Take care, Margo.” Annnnnd just when she was feeling like she could reconnect to her old life, just in the tiniest way—BOOM. Line goes dead.
“I understand your disappointment.” And the cutting her eyes to glance that way, then back. Again, Aleida’s so tired she can’t give the full eyeroll there…but she gets close! Also, I felt that sigh.
“There was a time I was as idealistic as you. Perhaps even more so. But I have learned that the world is unjust. I mean, the better angels of our nature is a nice idea, but it’s not very practical. I think we’re a few generations removed from animals. Fueled by anger, spite. As much as we think we can change, the cycle will go on. Generation after generation.” Pain. And truly, fantastic work from Efremova here.
“I think you’re wrong. And your philosophy sucks.” Not Irina smiling and laughing there like I did. But Peña does play that, again, not with the same combativeness we’d normally expect. Not only is Aleida wrung out by this point in For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 10, but there’s also a real sadness and a sense that she does hear what Irina’s saying. Might not fully agree, might understand and worry the other woman’s right at the same time.
“You have never struck me as someone who gives up that easily.”
“All right. Let’s go.” “Irina, I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but there’s a war going on out there.” THE GESTURING WITH HER GLASSES.
“I’m sure we can find a big strong man to protect us.” Aww, look how pleased with herself Irina is! And Aleida’s just like…freezing there and then like gathering herself to go and off she goes! A buddy comedy!
Ines Asserson and Sean Kaufman are so great together in that scene back at Helios. Avery and Alex have so much in common and now have this agonizing guilt that they can both understand in each other. Just raw, human connection.
“I shot someone earlier today. A woman. I’ll never forget. The look on her face. I didn’t…I didn’t even know her. Who she was…why she was here, what she was like. But I shot her just the same.” War is dumb and stupid, and I hate it.
Annnnnd back to enemies.
“Yeah, she’s a tough cookie. Like her old man.” I needed more Celia in this finale, actually. Her being on the outside looking in at this family reunion was so sad, though?
Not Walt making it about him being a man. Boy, go.
I’m so glad Alex didn’t give Dev the absolution he obviously wanted here. He wasn’t cruel, didn’t explode in rage—just that direct condemnation, laid bare.
“The truth is…not everything can be fixed. Some problems…can’t be worked. Some you…you just have to live with.” Margo’s whole, tragic life story. Right here. Like, yes, this is her realizing she can’t help with getting information about Aleida specifically, sure. But. It’s about everything. She just has to live with it all. She’s been so powerless her whole life, even in the context of all the greatness. And it’s just. There.
Oh. The slow working herself up to reaching across that table. Kill me now.
And now, we’re at the long, slow goodbye to Kelly. One of the absolute best shots of For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 10 is right after she and Walt share their lingering, wordless goodbye. That reflection in the glass, as Wu performs the F— out of Kelly’s sadness at knowing she never gets to go home, totally highlights that she’s trapped on Titan. For the (short) remainder of her life. Pain.
“Open the door.” “Who is it?” “It’s the fu**ing CEO.” THERE’S MY GIRL. And Irina’s impressed little smile at her????
I don’t like Dev getting to be the hero after what he did (in the middle of Lily’s birthday flash mob for Alex, no less) actually. If I had one gripe with For All Mankind Season 5 Episode 10, it’s a combination of that and the time spent on Alex and that bike. I mean, I get it. It’s a race to save lives and all. But good Lord.
This is intense.
“Oh, God. They’re gonna kill each other for no reason.” THE HUSHED, HORRIFIED REALIZATION.
“Not exactly up there to sight-see, Dev.” GET HIM.
This series’ use of its score remains top tier. That big crescendo before the abrupt pause, then the gentle notes that we can hear over—driving home that everyone in the battle can finally hear the good news as the gunshots fade out? Brilliant.
The ending sequence with Kelly’s vidmail, and all the quotes lining up with updates on everyone in the aftermath? Classic For All Mankind, score and all.
Beautiful writing.
Oh, ok. I’m sobbing.
“The truth is…life is uncertain. It doesn’t always go how you expect it to. There’s only so much you can control.” THE BREAK ON CONTROL. (Also: Can relate.)
“The family you’re born into isn’t necessarily the family you end up with. Those you once considered enemies might just be who you need the most.” Perfect to have Celia at the memorial for this. And although Mireille Enos doesn’t have as much to do in this finale as I’d like, that little bit of reflection there is great.
OH. AVERY WITH HER DAD’S…OH.
No, but Cynthy Wu just…every single line. The way the emotion builds, the timing, the breaths…everything. Every. Single. Thing. About how she reads this beautiful bit of writing is stunning. A killer. Perfect. However you want to call it.
“I love you, Alex. Always.”
I hate how this show makes me hurt. Always.
The movement quality. Did I mention it above? I need to mention it again. Wu’s movement at the end is so interesting.
WHAT does it mean, though??? What really happens to Kelly? She’s obviously about to die from lack of oxygen, but then…water? Um. Are we supposed to enjoy the dancing lights just for funsies, or…?
Maybe I’m just a giant clown who doesn’t want her to actually be gone??
So dark, I can’t see most of this tour at the end, but…ok.
The message on the final frame. What does it mean?
Ok, but I literally can’t see a lot of this in the darkness. Fail.
See y’all in 2020. Here’s hoping it’s not…you know, 2020.