Ep 1. Red Moon

In the first episode of For All Mankind, titled Red Moon, we are taken back in time to the year 1969, where the Cold War between the United States and Soviet Union is at its peak. In this alternate universe, however, things take a different turn when the Soviets beat the Americans in the race to the moon, becoming the first country to land a manned spacecraft on its surface.

The episode begins with a group of excited Americans watching the launch of the Apollo 11 mission on TV. The crowd is tense as they wait for the spacecraft to land, but shortly after the landing, news breaks that the Soviets have also landed on the moon. The entire nation is shocked and disappointed, as the Cold War tensions escalate.

The focus of the episode then moves to NASA, where the mission control team is also reeling from the news of the Soviet landing. The team is led by Margo Madison (Wrenn Schmidt), a brilliant engineer with a no-nonsense attitude. She is determined to get ahead of the Soviets by coming up with a new plan that will put Americans back on the moon.

Meanwhile, we are introduced to Edward Baldwin (Joel Kinnaman), a seasoned astronaut who misses his chance to land on the moon due to bureaucracy and politics within NASA. He is devastated by the news of the Soviet landing and decides to take matters into his own hands by applying for the job of Air Force test pilot, in order to better position himself for future astronaut missions.

We also meet Gordo Stevens (Michael Dorman), another NASA astronaut who is struggling with personal demons and marital issues. He is shown to be a bit of a troublemaker, often getting into fights and making poor decisions. His storyline in this episode sets up an interesting character arc for the rest of the season.

As tensions rise between the United States and Soviet Union, NASA begins to work on a new mission to put Americans back on the moon. Margo Madison comes up with a bold plan, which involves using a single spacecraft to land on the moon and stay there for an extended period of time. The mission is risky but also has the potential to be a game-changer for NASA.

The episode ends with a tense and emotional scene as astronaut Molly Cobb (Sonya Walger) gives a heartfelt speech to her fellow astronauts about the importance of this new mission. As the team prepares for their journey to the moon, they all realize that they are part of something much bigger than themselves.

Overall, the first episode of For All Mankind sets up a fascinating alternate universe where the race to the moon takes on a new level of significance. The show does an excellent job of creating tension and drama around this historical event, while also introducing compelling characters that will keep viewers engaged throughout the season. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in space exploration, alternate history, and great storytelling.