Mentoring Authors One Scene at a Time – Thriller/Military/Non-Fiction/SF/Fantasy
Posted on December 2, 2019 by Randy
This post will analyze the the Episode 7, titled “Home Again”, 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.
Astronauts have been trapped on Jamestown for almost 3 months and are going stir crazy
Only video that the astronauts have for entertainment is broken, Gordo exhibits signs of PTSD and almost dies
Does Ed send Gordo home?
If he does, it will be the end of Gordo’s career.
If he doesn’t, then he risk the mission or Gordo could die.
Ed doesn’t send Gordo home.
Danielle breaks her arm forcing Ed to send both Gordo and Danielle back to Earth.
One episode left (I think) and there are a lot of loose ends. I’m very interested to see if the Russians will intervene or if they will start a partnership. I’m also interested in seeing the Mexican girl’s plot line expanding.
So far, for me the story is very interesting and has me hooked. The screenwriters are doing an excellent job creating narrative drive and tension, there is usually a cliffhanger at the end of each episode that leaves the viewer wanting more and doesn’t actually interfere with the 5 commandments. It’s all very well structured and written.
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: 5 Commandment Episodes, 5 commandments, 6 core questions, Authors, Blog, For All Mankind, Screenwriters, Story Grid, television, tv series, WritersTags: astronaut, base, lunar, NASA, ptsd, race, russia, space, stranded
Afghanistan 2002.
With 25+ years of military experience, let me help you make your action characters and scenes more authentic. Contact me and tell me about your writing project.
© 2020 Randall R. Surles