User Reviews

Tensions with the Soviets escalate to heretofore unseen levels on For All Mankind Season 2 Episode 7, "Don't Be Cruel". From the sudden death of Tom Pain during the KAL 007 disaster to Dani essentially becoming a Russian prisoner and Ellen's rapid promotion to NASA head, there's a lot to take in this week. Which is...fine. I'm just not sure why For All Mankind forced us all to wait 2/3rds of the season for the plot to finally start happening? Your mileage may vary of course, but it's been obvious to me from jump - heck, from the season's promotional materials - that Season 2 was always going to be about militarizing the space program and what that says about both America specifically and humanity in general. Ellen, who's dealing with a serious case of survivor's guilt since she was supposed to be on that plane with Tom, grabs the reins of NASA with both hands, suddenly becoming a cheerleader not just for guns on the moon, but for an accelerated timeline for taking back the mining site the U. S. astronauts lost to the Soviets. This episode also doesn't really deal with the status of her relationship with Pam. It seems as though we're meant to assume there's no way they can be together now that Ellen's more firmly in the closet than ever, and the way Pam is kept firmly visible in the background as she discusses strategy with a man who basically ignored the AIDS crisis (assuming that still happens in this reality) is jarring as heck. The stealth MVP of "Don't Be Cruel" is far and away Margo Madison, who not only pushes back against General Bradford, but manages to use the relationship she's forged with Sergei to get a call through to the imprisoned astronauts in Star City. She also manages to tell him about the dangerous flaw in the original Buran shuttle design (the version she knows the Russians stole.) Wrenn Schmidt has always done a great job at portraying Margo as a woman with a distinct moral compass, and she does a great job here too. Of course, she's not going to let innocent people die in the name of slowing down the Soviet space program or making them pay for spying.

One of the best aspects of the past couple of episodes has been the unexpected camaraderie that's sprung up between the U. S. and Soviet space folks. At the end of the day they're still all scientists and pilots with the same interests and similar experiences - of course they're going to gravitate to being friends instead of enemies.

Seeing the armed marines comming out of the dust was really epic ! Space baby indeed !

Really guys? Danny? That's here dead sons best friend and you thought that was a good idea? I had a feeling this was coming based off all the strange interactions between them but I was hoping you wouldn't go there. This adds literally nothing to the show and just made me feel sick watching it. He was a child last season and now you're trying to develop a relationship between them. Karen came to her senses in a way but we all know show was thinking of that kid when she was having sex with Ed. I'm really disappointed in this season, season 1 was a fantastic alternative history space show now it's just become a Drama with Spaceflight on the back burner. Writers, Please stop this nonsense.

First off, the Elephant in the room! What the hell did they do to poor Karen! What we witnessed was manufactured tension, but at what cost. Totally out character for Karen, and quite creepy... and it throws the show out of the realm of realism into fantasy - especially the American "Stepmom" porn obsession. I feel sad for Karen, since the Ark they had made for her was finally taking her from a kind of uninteresting generic worried housewife, into her own character, but still with the essence of having some of the old-fashioned Karen in her. But making a 180 turn like this alienates us from the characters and makes them seem unhuman to us, and therefore harder to sympathize for and reflect in. All the characters are flawed in this show, but this is just taking it to the, throw a dart at the DRAMA board for tension that is unnecessary. The Tension we are here for, are the "will they won't they DIE IN A FIERY CRASH ON THE SURFACE OF THE MOON OR SOMETHING" with a hint of family drama on how the life on in space, affects the lives on those on earth.

Also really don't see the point in killing off Thomas Paine, one of the most interesting and intricate characters in the show. To have him killed of just for an "Ellen being assertive" for 2 minutes kind of hurt. For him and for Ellen. The way the portrayed Margos accent to power in Season 1 was truly earned and felt good when she played the system. But as for Ellen, she gets it just by chance, instead of giving her the chance to kick some ass, the position is simply given to her. Look Ellen is a badass in her own right, so give her the chance to kick some ass through her own merit, not through the advice from her "Husband" or by giving her to position of the tragic death of Thomas Paine, but through her own Merrit, like Margo.

The last scence was pretty fun though, MURICA, don't mind it just give me SPACE STUFF!

Honestly I just give up this series. This episode makes zero sense on all levels. Characters going around doing really questionable things. And all that "US good, USSR bad" again and again is EXHAUSTING.

It's such a shame that such a budget and actors be wasted in a plot that just repeats over and over again.

The first season depicted an America that was never real - civil rights and women's rights - but still they depicted some struggle (LGBTQ) Now? Freedomland is the beacon of unity, tolerance and progress. I know the plot is slowly progressing to demolish it (because the plot can't even hide it). But (hopefully just) a season building this up is hardly anything a decent viewer should get.

I should watch tv to escape quarantine, not prompt me to check the news since the show is too annoying.

Still, I feel all Apple series work this way. Really not going to subscribe to Apple TV services after the trial is done.

Made an account just to complain about this episode, why did karen had to do that wtf is this trash episode. The only good part was the end.

The inclusion of a subplot involving the mother of a deceased son becoming romantically involved with her son's best friend, ten years after his passing, in a show primarily focused on space exploration is not only tonally jarring but also lacks relevance to the main plot. This unnecessary deviation serves as a distracting tangent from the overarching theme of space and exploration, detracting from the viewer's immersion and diluting the narrative focus.

By introducing such a perplexing and inappropriate relationship dynamic, the showrunners undermine the gravity and seriousness of the central storyline. Instead of delving deeper into the complexities of space exploration, viewers are subjected to a contrived and uncomfortable narrative arc that adds little, if anything, of substance to the overarching plot.

Moreover, the inclusion of this subplot raises ethical and moral concerns, as it romanticizes a deeply problematic and taboo relationship dynamic. Rather than contributing meaningfully to character development or thematic exploration, it comes across as gratuitous and exploitative, serving only to shock or titillate audiences without any real narrative payoff.

In essence, the decision to incorporate such a storyline reflects a lack of discernment and focus on the part of the show's creators, ultimately detracting from the viewer's overall experience and diminishing the impact of the central themes of space and exploration.

Hence the title CRINGE !