For All Mankind Season 5, Episode 10 Review — “This Land Is Our Land”
For All Mankind Season 5, Episode 10, titled “This Land Is Our Land,” serves as a pivotal bridge between the current narrative and the upcoming final season set in the 2020s. While Season 5 has been a mixed bag, this episode manages to stabilize the direction, setting up for what promises to be a dramatic conclusion. The show has struggled with introducing the next generation of space explorers, many of whom are not seasoned astronauts but rather teenagers, cops, and everyday people. The departure of Ed Baldwin, a central figure in the series, left a void that was partially filled by Kelly Baldwin and Helios CEO Aleida Rosales, two of the show’s most compelling characters.
The episode is a long one, stretching over an hour and 10 minutes, and it sprints through many unresolved issues, especially those left on Mars. The conflict on Mars finally reaches a resolution, with Alex and AJ playing key roles in delivering a crucial message that a ceasefire has been called. Their bonding moments, especially after learning that their friend Haskell will survive, are poignant but not without their share of clichés. Alex and Dev Ayesa’s confrontation, for instance, feels like a necessary but somewhat forced development to set up the plot. Dev’s monologue about the right people being there all along may come off as corny, but the scene where he looks out over the sunrise on Mars is undeniably moving.
The Aftermath of Happy Valley
The resolution of the conflict on Mars is both surprising and suspiciously peaceful. The uprising at Happy Valley seems to end with no real consequences for the main characters, aside from the disappearance of Russian President Korzhenko to Crimea. The fallen are honored with a memorial, Miles is sworn in as the new governor, and the SDM members who rebelled are present at the ceremony. Dev’s efforts to replant the agridomes with Lee add a layer of hope, but the overall tone feels overly optimistic.
In contrast, the Sojourner crew’s mission on Titan is more straightforward and impactful. The crew faces the challenge of finding signs of life and making it back to Mars with limited resources. Their discovery of methane-based cells—a second form of life—adds a new dimension to the series. However, the only way to communicate this discovery back to Earth is for one of them to stay behind. Kelly takes this responsibility, owning up to her role as commander and accepting the consequences. Her final speech to Alex, while emotionally detached, serves as a setup for a montage of the Marsies rebuilding Happy Valley together.
A Bittersweet Farewell
Kelly’s final moments in the bioluminescent lake on Titan are beautifully melancholic, a fitting end for a character who has always carried the weight of her family’s legacy. However, the moment is interrupted by a “Blinding Lights” needle drop and a zoom out into deep space, signaling the arrival of the 2020s. The episode ends with a message in Russian on the screen of a destroyed ship, hinting at potential developments for Season 6. While it’s unclear what this means, it opens the door for intriguing theories, especially considering the mention of “Nikulov,” a name tied to the Russian space program and past plotlines.
As the series moves into its final season, the stage is set for a new era of space exploration and political intrigue. While “This Land Is Our Land” may not be perfect, it sets up a compelling narrative arc that promises to keep fans engaged until the end.
