Apple TV’s 5-Part Space Opera Almost Feels Like A Prequel To The Expanse

by

Apple TV+’s new five-episode space adventure shares many similarities with the series The Expanse, essentially acting as a backstory to it. In recent years, science fiction television has become increasingly popular, but few shows have explored the future of humanity and space travel as thoroughly as The Expanse. While most sci-fi series lack the detailed world-building of The Expanse, this Apple TV+ show offers a glimpse into the possible origins of the events we see in that Prime Video series.

As a sci-fi fan, I’m really hooked on Apple TV+’s For All Mankind. It takes a fascinating ‘what if?’ approach to history, imagining how different choices could have dramatically changed the future. The show focuses on a consistent effort to colonize the moon, and eventually Mars, and honestly, it reminds me a lot of The Expanse. Both shows really explore that same kind of future – a future where humanity has expanded beyond Earth and is actively building a life amongst the stars. It’s cool to see that similar vision playing out in For All Mankind.

While For All Mankind and The Expanse have distinct narratives about space exploration, it’s possible For All Mankind laid the groundwork for the complex political landscape – involving Earth, Mars, and the Belt – seen in The Expanse. Essentially, For All Mankind could be viewed as an early chapter in the story that The Expanse continues, making their connection feel deliberate rather than accidental, and suggesting a logical progression after humans colonize Mars.

How For All Mankind Could Be A Prequel To The Expanse

As For All Mankind progresses into its fifth season, the possibility of it serving as a backstory to The Expanse is becoming clearer. This season of the Apple TV+ series goes beyond simply presenting an alternate history – it’s now focused on the detailed process of humans colonizing Mars.

Season 5 of For All Mankind depicts a future where living off-world is becoming commonplace, laying the groundwork for the established universe of The Expanse. In The Expanse, entire communities live and grow up on Mars and in space, and the Apple TV+ series suggests how that transition might begin.

The fifth episode of For All Mankind‘s fifth season, “Svodoba,” marks a significant shift in the show’s storyline, echoing events from The Expanse. When the Martian colonists learn Earth intends to replace them with automated systems, they launch the “Mars is ours” riot in protest. This mirrors the beginning of the Martian occupation as depicted in The Expanse, which also started with a human settlement on the Red Planet.

When Earth tried to take over Mars, the Martians fought back, causing the human colonists on Mars to focus all their efforts on building a strong military. The show, For All Mankind, explores how this could have happened, and it’s interesting because the timeline it presents is quite similar to the world depicted in The Expanse.

For All Mankind & The Expanse Share A Similar Approach To Sci-Fi TV

Despite showcasing futuristic technology we don’t have yet, The Expanse shares a lot with For All Mankind because both shows emphasize the realistic dangers and immense planning involved in space travel. Both portray space exploration as a truly challenging endeavor.

Both For All Mankind and The Expanse explore how power struggles and political maneuvering shape the destiny of humanity. For All Mankind depicts a space race where Russia reaching the moon first forces the United States to accelerate its space program. Meanwhile, The Expanse features a complex political landscape with Mars, Earth, and the Belt vying for control.

Both For All Mankind and The Expanse carefully develop their science fiction stories, prioritizing depth over speed. The choices characters make in each show have significant, long-term effects on the future of humanity.

Read More

2026-05-12 00:51