New Books Network Is "For All Mankind" the Most Ambitious Show on Television?
Apr 9, 2026
Hosts unpack season five's Mars-as-utopia politics and whether a Martian revolt is brewing. They debate alternate 2012 politics, including an Al Gore presidency. The discovery of possible life on Titan prompts Fermi Paradox and Great Filter talk. Rights, citizenship, and refugee-like 'craters' on Mars get scrutiny. The conversation probes production choices, pacing, and the show’s optimistic human-centered vision.
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Deliberate Absence Of Advanced AI Keeps Human Focus
- For All Mankind largely excludes advanced AI and LLMs despite other tech gains, keeping the future human-centric.
- Jeff Dudas suggests this may be deliberate to avoid portraying technologies that 'master' humans.
Invest In Convincing Aging And Visual Realism
- Prioritize coherent visual effects and aging to sustain viewer immersion.
- Jeff Dudas argues poor VFX and obvious aging makeup (especially Joel Kinnaman as Ed) undermines the show's credibility despite its big budget.
Grandchildren Are Engine For Mars' New Politics
- The new grandchildren generation injects narrative energy and will likely embody Mars-born political identity leading reforms.
- Stephen Dyson predicts grandchildren like Alex Baldwin will drive a Mars egalitarian movement that influences Earth politics.