Apple TV’s Most Underrated Sci-Fi Show Keeps Getting Better

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As a total sci-fi fan, I have to say Apple TV+ is really delivering when it comes to original shows. Everyone’s talking about Severance and Pluribus, and it’s clear Apple is investing big in the genre. But honestly, the show that really gets me, the one that doesn’t get enough attention, is For All Mankind. It’s this incredibly detailed alternate history series, and with each season, it just gets bigger and more complex – it’s a real masterpiece.

When For All Mankind premiered in 2019, it presented a fascinating idea: what if the Soviet Union had won the space race to the Moon? This sparked a continuing rivalry, and the show has since developed into a complex story spanning many years. It explores an alternate history filled with political maneuvering, compelling characters, and believable, thought-provoking scenarios.

What started as an interesting idea has become a deeply moving and well-made science fiction show. Each season of For All Mankind raises the tension, exploring new time periods, technologies, and global conflicts with a level of ambition and quality rarely seen in today’s television – even on Apple TV.

For All Mankind Is One Of Apple TV’s Best Sci-Fi Shows

A Relentlessly Ambitious Alt-History Space Drama That Rewards Viewers With Depth

Apple TV+’s For All Mankind is a standout sci-fi series because it consistently pushes boundaries. Unlike many shows that rely on quick tricks or single interesting ideas, this one creates a fully realized alternate history with believable science and compelling, character-driven stories.

I was hooked from the very beginning! What I love about For All Mankind is how it flipped the script on the space race, starting with the Soviets winning. It just opens up so many more interesting story possibilities than you see in most sci-fi. It’s brilliant how the show combines real, solid science with these fascinating ‘what if’ scenarios about how society might have changed – it’s seriously addictive viewing.

Instead of just posing a ‘what if?’ scenario, For All Mankind explores an alternate history over many years, demonstrating how advances in technology change society, culture, and the balance of power around the world. The show delves into the difficult choices, personal costs, and ambitions of its characters as humanity expands its presence in space. It’s a complex story that handles both the grand scope of its ideas and the emotional lives of those within it with care.

One of the best parts of this surprisingly good Apple TV show is its talented cast, particularly Joel Kinnaman as Ed Baldwin, whose character’s journey reflects the show’s big ideas. As the series progresses, even the supporting characters grow and change, making the story feel broad and detailed while still staying emotionally engaging.

Adding a human touch not only keeps viewers engaged, but also lets For All Mankind use its unique alternate history to delve into complex ideas like what we leave behind, who we are, national pride, and working together – all set against the backdrop of space exploration. This makes the show enjoyable for both those who prefer realistic sci-fi and fans of sweeping space adventures.

Many science fiction shows start strong but then become predictable. However, For All Mankind keeps getting better by constantly broadening its story. It skillfully connects global conflicts on Earth with the challenges faced by people on the Moon, Mars, and other planets, blending imaginative ideas with relatable personal stories. This complex and layered approach is why the show remains engaging and exciting season after season.

What To Expect From For All Mankind Season 5

Season 5 Pushes The Story Into A New Era Of Martian Politics And Generational Conflict

The fifth season of For All Mankind will debut on Apple TV on March 27, 2026. It will consist of ten episodes and continue the story several years after the events of season four. The new season takes place on Mars, where the Happy Valley colony has become a successful and growing settlement with thousands of people, serving as a launchpad for further space exploration.

The first preview for season 5 of For All Mankind is out, and it features a compelling image of someone riding a motorcycle on Mars, implying that humans are starting to expand and explore the planet like pioneers. The new season appears to focus on growing conflicts between the people living on Mars and governments back on Earth, suggesting a potential split similar to historical fights for independence.

Season 5 of For All Mankind will explore bigger ideas and conflicts. With Earth wanting to establish rules on Mars, the show will delve into themes of independence, how societies are governed, and the difficult choices faced by those building a new life on the frontier. This focus on social and political issues is what makes the series so strong – it consistently evolves while remaining grounded in its vision of an alternate space race.

For All Mankind Is Getting A Spinoff At Apple TV

Star City Expands The Universe From The Soviet Perspective With Thriller-Tinged Intrigue

Apple TV+ is expanding its universe of For All Mankind. In addition to renewing the show for a fifth season, they’ve also approved a spinoff called Star City. This new series will tell stories from the perspective of the Soviet Union within the same alternate history timeline as For All Mankind.

The upcoming series, Star City, will explore an alternate history where the Soviet Union won the space race by landing the first person on the Moon. Unlike typical stories about astronauts, this show will focus on the people behind the scenes – the cosmonauts, engineers, and spies who worked on the Soviet space program. This approach allows for a story filled with political maneuvering, espionage, and the intense pressures of striving for space exploration under a strict, controlling government.

What’s most exciting about Star City is how it will connect with the original series. While it’s designed to be a compelling standalone sci-fi story with political intrigue, there’s also a chance it could tie into For All Mankind through shared themes or family connections to existing characters.

Showing us the story from the Soviet side will make For All Mankind even more engaging for existing fans and offer a new take on this alternate history. By expanding the show’s world, Apple TV aims to build For All Mankind into more than just a single story – they envision it as the start of a larger, decades-spanning franchise with multiple perspectives.

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2026-01-31 16:09