For all Mankind 4.06
In which Ed Baldwin continues to be infuriating on all levels.
Seriously, though. Firstly, most unconvincing Working Class Hero ever, and good for Danielle to call him out on his dismissive rants about how the Helios workers didn't even deserve to be on Mars just weeks previously. Secondly, he promptly fucks up his first in person interactions with his grandson. (What is it with Ed and male kids? Or is Kelly the only one he managed to be decent to regardless of gender?) I mean, we're not talking "BE A MAN" ghastliness as with Shane, he's learned this much, but lumping on all the cheese on Alex' spaghetti when Alex explicitly did not want it was classic Ed, and it's not funny anymore. And thirdly, yet more Ed style pettiness when he makes a remark about Palmer, who replaced him as Danielle's XO, "finally being useful for something" when Palmer helps Kelly with her luggage. Bear in mind Palmer was hero worshipping Ed - but did his duty when reporting Ed's tremors to Danielle as opposed to keeping mum and endangering everyone. I'm reaching the point where I want to throw something on my tv screen when Ed shows up, so I really hope he does something decent soon, but given what he agrees to at the end of the episode, it doesn't look like it.
Meanwhile, Dev first solves the strikei in classic Dev fashion by throwing enoiugh money around and then reveals his own Secret Plot to Ed - hiijacking Goldilocks the iridium containing asteroid, presumably to set up his own independent fiefdom/colony on Mars. Now, bear in mind that Danielle and the other NASA astronouts don't work for Helios, and that Danielle, as she has reminded Dev this episode, is the authority on all things space operations on this base. Which means the only way Dev will be able to hijack the capture--Goldilocks-operation is by imprisoning Danielle and any astronouts loyal to her and NASA and replace them with Ed. (BTW, I'm assuming Dev has no idea Ed got put off flight status for very good medical reasons and assumes this is just like when Ed was replaced by Danielle in the original Mars mission, so he could hire him for Helios.) Leaving aside the outrageous betrayal there, both personal and professional, it's also a recipe for more dead and injured people. Good grief.
And speaking of impending disasters, I suspect Margo won't leave the US again, but not because she tries to return/defect a second time, but because her diplomatic immunity entirely depends on the Soviets demanding it, and she'll get dropped like a hot potato the moment it's convenient. In the meantime, I look forward to more interactions between her and bitter former friends. And continue to be amazed at Wrenn Schmidt's acting. The moment Margo sees the renamed "Molly Cobb Space Center", you can see so much in her face.
Seriously, though. Firstly, most unconvincing Working Class Hero ever, and good for Danielle to call him out on his dismissive rants about how the Helios workers didn't even deserve to be on Mars just weeks previously. Secondly, he promptly fucks up his first in person interactions with his grandson. (What is it with Ed and male kids? Or is Kelly the only one he managed to be decent to regardless of gender?) I mean, we're not talking "BE A MAN" ghastliness as with Shane, he's learned this much, but lumping on all the cheese on Alex' spaghetti when Alex explicitly did not want it was classic Ed, and it's not funny anymore. And thirdly, yet more Ed style pettiness when he makes a remark about Palmer, who replaced him as Danielle's XO, "finally being useful for something" when Palmer helps Kelly with her luggage. Bear in mind Palmer was hero worshipping Ed - but did his duty when reporting Ed's tremors to Danielle as opposed to keeping mum and endangering everyone. I'm reaching the point where I want to throw something on my tv screen when Ed shows up, so I really hope he does something decent soon, but given what he agrees to at the end of the episode, it doesn't look like it.
Meanwhile, Dev first solves the strikei in classic Dev fashion by throwing enoiugh money around and then reveals his own Secret Plot to Ed - hiijacking Goldilocks the iridium containing asteroid, presumably to set up his own independent fiefdom/colony on Mars. Now, bear in mind that Danielle and the other NASA astronouts don't work for Helios, and that Danielle, as she has reminded Dev this episode, is the authority on all things space operations on this base. Which means the only way Dev will be able to hijack the capture--Goldilocks-operation is by imprisoning Danielle and any astronouts loyal to her and NASA and replace them with Ed. (BTW, I'm assuming Dev has no idea Ed got put off flight status for very good medical reasons and assumes this is just like when Ed was replaced by Danielle in the original Mars mission, so he could hire him for Helios.) Leaving aside the outrageous betrayal there, both personal and professional, it's also a recipe for more dead and injured people. Good grief.
And speaking of impending disasters, I suspect Margo won't leave the US again, but not because she tries to return/defect a second time, but because her diplomatic immunity entirely depends on the Soviets demanding it, and she'll get dropped like a hot potato the moment it's convenient. In the meantime, I look forward to more interactions between her and bitter former friends. And continue to be amazed at Wrenn Schmidt's acting. The moment Margo sees the renamed "Molly Cobb Space Center", you can see so much in her face.