Author Topic: For All Mankind (Read 5515 times)

Limey · « **on:** November 03, 2019, 10:44:57 am »

So I got a 1 year free subscription to Apple TV+, which is fortunate because I was not going to sign up otherwise. I started watching “For All Mankind” and I have to say that I’m intrigued. The pacing is a little slow, but the premise is fascinating and I’m interested to see where they take it.

Spoiler-free synopsis is that the Russians beat the US to the moon, and so the entire space race is upended as a result. The demoralized US program is fighting for its existence while paranoia in Nixon’s White House (brilliantly represented by secret Oval Office recordings) threatens the militarization of space.

There’s a clever blend of history and fiction, including the use of real characters (Armstrong, Aldrin, Collins, Deke Sleyton...even Nixon). I have not watched one of these history retcons before, and I’m looking forward to seeing where they go.

As an aside, “The Morning Show” is getting strong reviews. I’m still not sure there’s enough here to have me spring for the $5/month subscription (rather than buy in from time to time to binge), but they’ve got a year to make themselves indispensable.

Three episodes are up now, and then 1 a week u til the series is complete (10 total).

Col. Sphinx Drummond · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2019, 03:23:12 pm »

How did you go about getting a year for free?

Limey · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2019, 06:56:38 pm »

Quote from: Col. Sphinx Drummond on November 03, 2019, 03:23:12 pm

How did you go about getting a year for free?

Don't know. I have an Apple TV, so maybe that's why. I just got a notification on the ATV that I had a free year.

Col. Sphinx Drummond · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2019, 08:10:38 pm »

I guess you retroactively got it.

I read this in an article about the Apple TV+ launch:

"The service will be available on the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch, Mac and other platforms, including online at tv.apple.com, for $4.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. Starting today, customers who purchase any iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch or Mac can enjoy one year of Apple TV+ for free. Through Family Sharing, up to six family members can share one Apple TV+ subscription."

Limey · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2019, 07:45:28 am »

Quote from: Col. Sphinx Drummond on November 03, 2019, 08:10:38 pm

I guess you retroactively got it.

I read this in an article about the Apple TV+ launch:

"The service will be available on the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch, Mac and other platforms, including online at tv.apple.com, for $4.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. Starting today, customers who purchase any iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch or Mac can enjoy one year of Apple TV+ for free. Through Family Sharing, up to six family members can share one Apple TV+ subscription."

I (finally) upgraded my iPhone 6S last month. That must be it.

Waldo · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2019, 08:28:35 am »

Quote from: Limey on November 04, 2019, 07:45:28 am

I (finally) upgraded my iPhone 6S last month. That must be it.

I know a guy who bought a new iPhone a few months ago and still got the free year of TV+.

Limey · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2019, 01:29:26 pm »

Quote from: Waldo on November 04, 2019, 08:28:35 am

I know a guy who bought a new iPhone a few months ago and still got the free year of TV+.

Cool. I have no idea how far back the freebie goes.

Tom Servo · « **Reply #7 on:** November 04, 2019, 02:01:11 pm »

This is from Apple's site:

Your free year of Apple TV+ is included when you buy a new iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, or Mac after September 10, 2019, from Apple or an Apple-authorized reseller. Your new device must also be capable of running the latest iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, or macOS.

Limey · « **Reply #8 on:** November 04, 2019, 05:21:42 pm »

So...has anyone seen the damn show?!

MusicMan · « **Reply #9 on:** November 04, 2019, 06:34:50 pm »

Quote from: Limey on November 04, 2019, 05:21:42 pm

So...has anyone seen the damn show?!

Only if they simulcast it on the World Series field.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

drew corleone · « **Reply #10 on:** November 15, 2019, 09:45:27 am »

This is the only AppleTV+ show that moved the needle for me, so I was excited to learn that I got a free subscription with my new iPhone 11. I haven't watched the show yet, though, because apparently I can only watch it ON my iPhone, and while the screen is larger than on my older phone, I'm not sure I want to invest 10 hours staring at my phone.

I have an older (Gen1?) AppleTV device but when I try to stream through it I get an error., so I assume it's not compatible. Same with my older Fire stick. And of course our relatively new Samsung smart TVs don't have the app - it's only available on certain Sony TVs.

Waldo · « **Reply #11 on:** November 15, 2019, 11:31:32 am »

Quote from: drew corleone on November 15, 2019, 09:45:27 am

This is the only AppleTV+ show that moved the needle for me, so I was excited to learn that I got a free subscription with my new iPhone 11. I haven't watched the show yet, though, because apparently I can only watch it ON my iPhone, and while the screen is larger than on my older phone, I'm not sure I want to invest 10 hours staring at my phone.

I have an older (Gen1?) AppleTV device but when I try to stream through it I get an error., so I assume it's not compatible. Same with my older Fire stick. And of course our relatively new Samsung smart TVs don't have the app - it's only available on certain Sony TVs.

There is an Apple TV+ app for Roku, and you can also stream on the web.

I'm probably buying a new iPad later this month so I've been holding out on signing up.

drew corleone · « **Reply #12 on:** November 15, 2019, 12:54:25 pm »

Cool, thanks for letting me know. I assumed when it went through the list of ways to watch it did not let you stream to a PC. I'll probably work through the final season of Man in the High Castle, which dropped today, and then give For All Mankind a whirl.

Limey · « **Reply #13 on:** November 16, 2019, 08:04:04 am »

Quote from: drew corleone on November 15, 2019, 12:54:25 pm

Cool, thanks for letting me know. I assumed when it went through the list of ways to watch it did not let you stream to a PC. I'll probably work through the final season of Man in the High Castle, which dropped today, and then give For All Mankind a whirl.

They're up to Ep 5 of FAM, and it's still good (and still a little slow).

The Morning Show is pretty entertaining too. We're through Ep 4 on that with Ep 5 dropping last Friday that I've yet to watch.

I will say that the production values on both shows is top notch. The effects in FAM are perhaps the best I've ever seen on TV, and they even give you a wobbly zoom in every once in a while to remind you that Ron Moore is the producer. Clearly, they didn't scrimp on either show.

Waldo · « **Reply #14 on:** November 16, 2019, 12:55:29 pm »

Quote from: Limey on November 16, 2019, 08:04:04 am

I will say that the production values on both shows is top notch. The effects in FAM are perhaps the best I've ever seen on TV, and they even give you a wobbly zoom in every once in a while to remind you that Ron Moore is the producer. Clearly, they didn't scrimp on either show.

Even better than The Expanse?

Tell me you've watched The Expanse.

Bench · « **Reply #15 on:** November 17, 2019, 11:48:21 am »

Quote from: Waldo on November 16, 2019, 12:55:29 pm

Even better than The Expanse?

Tell me you've watched The Expanse.

I'm enjoying the books (currently reading the fifth one Nemesis Games). But I haven't watched the show. Is it a good companion or should I pick it up once I'm done with the novels?

Limey · « **Reply #16 on:** November 17, 2019, 02:57:43 pm »

Quote from: Waldo on November 16, 2019, 12:55:29 pm

Even better than The Expanse?

Tell me you've watched The Expanse.

I started watching The Expanse but never got into it. This is likely entirely down to my mood at that moment as there are multiple examples of me going back to stuff and thoroughly enjoying it. I'll give it a whirl.

Meanwhile, I just finished binging "The Boys" on Amazon. Very will made - funny and scary in the right places - but [SPOILER ALERT] just strung out over 8 episodes to get to a cliffhanger with no promise of a second season. Amazon is really good a fucking up good things.

Waldo · « **Reply #17 on:** November 17, 2019, 05:21:56 pm »

Quote from: Bench on November 17, 2019, 11:48:21 am

I'm enjoying the books (currently reading the fifth one Nemesis Games). But I haven't watched the show. Is it a good companion or should I pick it up once I'm done with the novels?

If you’re on book 5 then you can start watching the show now. Seasons 1-3 cover books 1-3. Upcoming season 4 corresponds to book 4.

The show is an excellent companion to the books, and generally very faithful to them, although they have changed a plot element here or there. So the writing has all of the charm of the books, plus fantastic acting and special effects, and they do all of the little things right. (For instance, when they’re on the ship and not burning the engine, you can hear their mag boots when they walk. Every time.)

Waldo · « **Reply #18 on:** November 17, 2019, 05:24:25 pm »

Quote from: Limey on November 17, 2019, 02:57:43 pm

I started watching The Expanse but never got into it. This is likely entirely down to my mood at that moment as there are multiple examples of me going back to stuff and thoroughly enjoying it. I'll give it a whirl.

Maybe it’s harder to get hooked if you haven’t read the books first, but it’s really worth a watch. It doesn’t have the same social messaging that BSG had, but it’s currently my favorite sci-fi show.

drew corleone · « **Reply #19 on:** November 18, 2019, 01:39:46 pm »

The Boys was great!

I'm through three eps of FAM...a little slow at first but I'm in.

Limey · « **Reply #20 on:** November 22, 2019, 04:26:37 pm »

Quote from: drew corleone on November 18, 2019, 01:39:46 pm

The Boys was great!

I'm through three eps of FAM...a little slow at first but I'm in.

It doesn't speed up, but it gets deeper into the characters and further divergent from actual history. Getting more rich as it goes.