The science fiction collection For All Mankind, which not too long ago wrapped up its fourth season on Apple TV+, explores an alternate timeline during which the United States and the Soviet Union set up a Mars colony within the Nineties. Science fiction editor John Joseph Adams was impressed with the collection’ high quality and ambition.

“It’s a fantastic show,” Adams says in Episode 560 of the Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy podcast. “It’s definitely one of the best science fiction shows ever, and everyone should definitely watch it.”

Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy host David Barr Kirtley agrees that For All Mankind is a first-rate work of science fiction. “It’s one of the only shows on television that presents the idea that the future could be better, and humanity could progress, that competence and intellect and trying to make the world a better place could actually work, and could actually have a positive impact,” he says.

For All Mankind has obtained robust opinions, however thus far the present hasn’t attracted the sort of viewers it deserves. Screenwriter Rafael Jordan thinks the present’s progressive idea—an alternate historical past story that unfolds over many years—is perhaps a bit too difficult to speak to potential viewers. “There seems to be a lack of awareness about what the show is exactly,” he says. “I’ll admit I was late to the show. I don’t think I started watching until Season 2, because I didn’t really realize what it was.”

Writer Sara Lynn Michener hopes the present attracts sufficient viewers to proceed by means of its deliberate seven-season arc. “A lot is asked of the viewers in this show, and I actually really like that,” she says. “But it also causes me to be concerned that we’re not going to get the seven seasons that we deserve.”

Listen to the entire interview with John Joseph Adams, Rafael Jordan, and Sara Lynn Michener in Episode 560 of Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy (above). And try some highlights from the dialogue beneath.

Sara Lynn Michener on Dev Ayesa:

They had so many choices by way of “let’s explore the tech bro.” They may have gone the Silicon Valley technique, they may have made it this ridiculous character, they may have made it an clearly evil character. But they made it a minority character who has a genuinely fascinating backstory and a genuinely fascinating character. He exudes confidence and peace and knowledge, on this actually scary method. So there are scary facets to the character, for positive, and also you’re sort of questioning on a regular basis, “Is he evil or is he good?” … And the result’s that this looks like a way more regular, rather more life like character.

John Joseph Adams on Seasons 3 and 4:

I really feel like Seasons 1 and a pair of have been largely excellent, and I actually struggled to give you criticisms, however with Seasons 3 and 4 I positively discovered it simple to give you criticisms. I really feel just like the science fiction/house facets are nonetheless good, however then the drama facet of issues, I felt like that’s the place it isn’t nearly as good, virtually like that they had the identical staff who was engaged on all the speculative stuff, however they’ve a distinct staff that’s engaged on the drama stuff. I imply, I don’t think about they’ve separate groups for that, however that’s what it seems like.

Rafael Jordan on Season 5:

I used to be in a position to attend a Season 4 finale screening right here in LA, which was improbable, they usually did discuss future seasons a bit. They positively have full confidence that they’re going to see it by means of. I don’t suppose they’ve gotten the official phrase but, however they’re positively shifting ahead. … During the Q&A [Joel Kinnamon] went on at size concerning the [old age makeup]. At one level, after he’s simply gone on about how laborious it was to undergo, he’s like, “Oh my god, I just realized I’m going to have to do it all again next season.” There was a second the place I believe the producers have been like, “You just told everyone you’re definitely going to be back for the whole season.”

David Barr Kirtley on science fiction:

One of the explanations I actually appreciated Season 4 a lot is as a result of it confirmed these science fiction issues that I grew up studying about, like asteroid mining and Martian colonies—life like Martian colonies, not like Total Recall Martian colonies—that you just simply don’t actually see a lot in movie and TV, the extra grounded sort of issues like that. … People say, “It’s just like The Expanse.” Well no, it’s like this complete custom of science fiction that had all this stuff. Maybe in the event you primarily watch motion pictures and TV, that’s your closest reference level, however they’re each drawing on this actually lengthy custom.

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