For All Mankind (SciFi Apple TV+)

That particular cover of "Don't be cruel" as a wedding first dance? But it was funny to see Karen squirm as she realized where she had heard that previously 🤪

Not only was Thatcher killed but the story raises some questions about longevity in the alt universe because DeValera was very much still alive (the day before he would have turned 102) and president of Ireland!

Other alt-timeline facts I picked up were that Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal was disallowed and he 'handed' England victory in the quarter final, suggesting video assistant referee technology may have been in place by 1986. Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan played Gordo and Tracy in a movie about them. Which is a neat little reference to the fact that IRL, Quaid played Gordo in The Right Stuff. There was a newspaper story about the RL arrest of Navy Intelligence Analyst Jonathon Pollard for giving classified information to Israel which felt like a possible foreshadowing of Margo's future. The Beatles got back together. Gorbachev and Fidel Castro celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the October Revolution in Moscow. Following which Trump plans buildings in Red Square with the approval of Gorbachev. America does not intervene in the invasion of Kuwait, most likely due to how much less reliance the world has on oil due to safe nuclear fusion.

AIDS appears to be following a similar trajectory in the Alt universe. I'd speculate that it may be somewhat worse as I would not be surprised if 1992 attitudes to homosexuality are even less liberal in the show than they were in our world. For us this period felt like the beginning of more openness about homosexuality, awareness of how HIV spread and could be prevented and sympathy with those affected rather than fear and anger. But in the show I suspect that we're going to see AIDS and antigay sentiment play a huge role in Ellen's storylines. I just hope that Larry survives it. His main S2 storyline seemed to be his enjoyment of 80s gay nightlife. Early in the season I thought he might either end up being coerced by Russian spies (the story which went to Margo) or affected by AIDS, either through getting sick himself or losing friends. Instead he mainly just played a supporting role in Ellen's story, though HIV/AIDS could have even more impact on their lives if he gets sick or they are outed when she is running for President or even has become President.

Great episode - loved that ending and the reactions.

For All Mankind — The Science Behind Season 3: Episode 1, Polaris | Apple TV+

blaa not good, looking for good discussion reviews, lots of spam and retaions on youtube

Had they turned on their other three thrusters would that have not slowed the rotation, or put too much strain on the ship.

Another great episode this week. This is the best thing on TV at the moment IMO.

Margo finally having to face the reality of her flirtations. I thought when she got home she'd back away when she rejected the record, but then the KGB are doing this a long time and know exactly what buttons to press.

And loved the last few minutes (awesome track too). We're off!

Another solid episode. The soundtrack is really incredible and used so effectively.

Yeah it was the worst part of s2 and really is a soap level plot its so bad. Sad to see Bill Clinton not winning rhe election, wonder if there is peace in northern ireland in this timeline 😁

Not at all sold on that plot device, especially as her connection to him has been there for a very long time. Given how sharp her reflexes are on everything else it all seems a bit far-fetched. Thought the visit to her room was carboard villain stuff.

If Thatcher had just died of natural causes or in an accident, I'd agree. But for the PM to have been murdered by a terrorist group would have had dire consequences for the lives of people in NI and Anglo-Irish relations. William Whitelaw would have become the Prime Minister, after Thatcher's death as he was the Deputy PM at the time. John Major was only an assistant whip and had relatively minor influence. Whitelaw was Secretary of State of Northern Ireland in 1972 and self-reportedly found the IRA unpleasant to deal with. He and Thatcher had a good, mutually respectful relationship. If they had killed her, in 1984, I really don't think things would have been in a relatively good place in the 90s.

Well, remember the various time jumps would account for that in part.

The effects that the tech involved in a space race that never ended filtering down into the commercial and civilian arena has already shown electric cars in the 80s, and now improved energy sources gradually displacing fossil fuels and the effects that would have on those working in those industries.

It stands to reason that the ordinary world outside NASA is starting to diverge more and more from our own as these changes bed in. It's no doubt a deliberate commentary on our own world (albeit 30 years earlier) with the shifts to electric and renewable energy.

Great episode this week though. I wonder will the footage and analysis of the Soviet nuclear boosters ultimately expose Margo when it becomes clear that it's an American design.