For All Mankind (Apple TV+) Seasons 1 & 2

What if the Soviet Union made it to the moon before the USA? What trajectory would the space race have taken? This fascinating alt history shows the USSR not only putting the first man on the moon, but the first woman too, sending NASA into a spin. It skilfully blends fact and fiction, using real figures from history as well as fictional characters, to create a very different pathway into space, with women becoming astronauts and equal participants in the space program from the 70s. Along the way it also tackles topical issues of the time – the Vietnam war, the Equal Rights Amendment, racial issues, persecution of gay people – all through the lens of the space race. The characters and space storylines are compelling, although the personal side sometimes verges on soap it does a good job of showing how challenging frontiers impact s on the individuals involved and their families. Season 2 also verges on fantasy in places, portraying Ronald Reagan as the ultimate peacemaker in a very unlikely scenario. But apparently, it’s generally a case of Republicans good; Democrats bad. Perhaps the writers are trying demonstrate to the current chaotic GOP what could have been possible.