Mentoring Authors One Scene at a Time – Thriller/Military/Non-Fiction/SF/Fantasy
Posted on November 25, 2019 by Randy
This post will analyze the the Episode 5, titled “Into the Abyss”, of the For All Mankind television series using the 5 Commandments of Storytelling and the Editor’s 6 Core Questions from the book The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne.
Obviously, I will be discussing plot points from the television series For All Mankind. So, check it out before reading further.
Mission control determines 4 days into the mission that there can be no water at their original landing location
Mission Control offers another spot that is likely to have water.
The astronauts need to decide if they will risk their lives to land at the alternate location. The stakes are life and death: if they go they may crash and die, if they don’t the Russians may discover water first and other US astronauts will have to take the risk.
They vote to land at the alternate location.
Molly finds water.
I am really impressed with the timeline merge and the changes they are implementing to the actual historical events. It’s very interesting how the screenwriters have interpreted how the world seeing women astronauts, even Russians, and that single event opening doors and breaking glass ceilings. Additionally, as well as making subtle (or not to subtle) political suggestions, the screenwriters manage to keep building tension and producing cliff hangers.
Looking forward to see where this goes.
If you want to see more applications of the Story Grid methodology, below are links to my analysis of various novels and television shows in blog posts and podcasts:
Story Grid Showrunners Podcast – Parul, Melanie, and I analyze hit TV series using the Story Grid methodology.
My blog posts analyzing other Television series – my person take using the Story grid 5 Commandments to look at my favorite TV series – Jack Ryan, Batgirl, For All Mankind, Hanna, and more.
Novel analysis – I analyze some of my favorite books using the Story Grid 5 Commandments and 6 core questions – First Blood, Old Man’s War, Waylander, and more to come!
Category: Authors, For All Mankind, Screenwriters, television, tv series, WritersTags: 5 commandments, 6 core questions, Astronauts, female, moon, NASA, Story Grid, woman, women
Afghanistan 2002.
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© 2020 Randall R. Surles