Apple TV is entering a new phase — one marked by its continued production of high-quality shows that have attracted acclaim and awards. But this new phase leans into what is currently sustaining many streaming services and networks: franchises. The streamer has expressed interest in expanding the universes of some of its biggest shows, with Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Severance, and Ted Lasso in consideration. However, one of the earliest contenders for a spin-off is the streamer's oldest sci-fi series, and that plan recently materialized.
Editor's note: The below contains spoilers for the For All Mankind Season 5 finale.
For All Mankind has wrapped up its penultimate season by dealing yet another devastating blow. With the Marsies trying to take back control of Happy Valley from the M-6 soldiers and Aleida (Coral Peña) desperately trying to reach her team on Titan, everything comes to a stunning conclusion when communication finally breaks through. Kelly (Cynthy Wu), Walt (Christopher Denham), and Elena (Kristina Klebe) have found life on Titan, but a critical mechanical issue forces the group to make a sacrifice. There's only enough oxygen for two people to walk back to their ship, and as the commander, Kelly decides to stay behind. On Happy Valley, the M-6 commanders have ordered a ceasefire, stopping the bloody attack on the Mars base. The season ends with a gut-wrenching final letter sent from Kelly to Alex (Sean Kaufman) on Titan before the story flashes forward, now set firmly in the 2020s. The final shot sees a mysterious, abandoned space shuttle come back to life with a cryptic message written on the screen in Cyrillic.
The latest sci-fi release usually leads Apple TV's global streaming chart. But with the conclusion of the hit MonsterVerse series, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, the next sci-fi show, For All Mankind, has failed to reach the needed viewership to claim the top position. The recently concluded series barely cracked the top five throughout its run. This has led to the domination of non-sci-fi shows like Your Friends & Neighbors, Margo's Got Money Troubles, and Widow's Bay. However, Apple TV always has the next big hit lined up, and the latest one is on its way to becoming a sensation.
Following the massive success of shows such as Severence, Foundation, and Silo, to name just a few, Apple TV's streak of producing excellent sci-fi shows continued this week with a new title. The streamer's latest offering premiered with two episodes and a perfect 100% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. The premiere date coincided with the Season 5 finale of Apple's first-ever sci-fi show, For All Mankind. This is no coincidence, of course, given that the show happens to be a spin-off of For All Mankind. Like the original, it unfolds in an alternate history where the Space Race never ended. This time, audiences will get to experience the political power games from the Soviet perspective.
The Season 5 finale of For All Mankind is imminent, but we'll still get our fix of this incredible alternate historical timeline even after it ends. That's because its spin-off, Star City, premieres the very same day, taking viewers back to the 1960s to follow the events that allowed the USSR to beat the U.S. to the Moon, as well as the Soviet side of the space race. So, what's important to remember from For All Mankind before Star City premieres?
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