For All Mankind 7

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.

SPOILER ALERT!!!

Obviously, I will be discussing plot points from the television series For All Mankind. So, check it out before reading further.

Recap of Episode 6 “Home Again”:

• Apollo 23 explodes, supplies to the lunar base “Jamestown” are delayed, an investigation to the cause of the explosion leads reveals new secrets

Review of Episode 7 “Hi Bob”:

• The astronauts on the lunar base have been there for 3 months and it is taking a toll physically and mentally
• Gordo suffers from PTSD, Ed must decide whether to send him back
• FBI agents try to flush out Larry as a homosexual, but Ellen defends him
• Ellen and Larry get married
• Danielle drops the ants and some escape into the base
• Danielle breaks her arm and Ed sends Gordo and Danielle home
• Ed’s son is grounded, but he leaves anyway and the episode ends with police telling Kelly that there has been an accident

Inciting Incident: 

Astronauts have been trapped on Jamestown for almost 3 months and are going stir crazy

Turning Point:

Only video that the astronauts have for entertainment is broken, Gordo exhibits signs of PTSD and almost dies

Crisis Question:

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.

Climax:

Ed doesn’t send Gordo home.

Resolution:

Danielle breaks her arm forcing Ed to send both Gordo and Danielle back to Earth.

Summary:

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.

More Story Analysis

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!