Ed Baldwin officially becomes the villain in For All Mankind Episode 407

Over halfway through the fourth season of For All Mankind, here's my question for fans and producers alike: does the know show know that Ed Baldwin is a villain? After watching the latest episode, "Crossing the Line," there's no question in my mind that he is one. Ed is someone who's had a ton of professional success throughout his life, who is a household name around the world, and who has a family that loves him. But not only has he isolated himself millions of miles away from them on another planet, but now he's willing to sabotage Earth's chance at gaining access to a valuable resource we're told could improve the lives of millions of people (I'm just going to assume that the iridium in the Goldilocks asteroid is as useful as everyone says it is) all so he can continue avoiding whatever problems he left behind on Earth. This is grade A villain behavior.

But I'm not sure the show knows that, although it might. It's pointed out Ed's hypocrisy in joining the labor movement on Mars; remember that early on in the season he brushed off the downstairs workers as ungrateful freeloaders. He only helped them with their strike once Danielle stripped him of his authority, in part so he could get back at her and in part so he could force the Goldilocks asteroid into Mars orbit. He's not in this to help the workers get what they want -- you can tell by the way he disparages them after most of them accept Dev's offer -- he's in this for himself.

But there's also a long tradition in American movies and TV of characters like Ed -- dashing, talented rogues who play by their rules -- flouting authority and later getting validated for it. Is that where Ed's story is heading? Or is that the stereotype that For All Mankind is trying to subvert?

I have similar feelings about Dev. Does the show see him as a ruthless capitalist willing to screw over anyone for his own gain, or a singular genius who has the vision necessary to turn Mars from a dead planet into a thriving colony? Like Ed, he behaves horribly, using the workers' revolt as a means to a personal end: staying on Mars so he can continue avoiding facing whatever problems he left behind on Earth. In his final scene with Ed, he calls the workers greedy for crossing the picket line in exchange for money and security. Why does he think they were striking in the first place? The overwhelming majority of people need to work to live; are Ed and Dev so detached from reality that they don't realize this? Their contempt is contemptible.

So that's where I stand on villains, heroes, Ed and Dev. The episode doesn't give us a final answer. This is another transitional episode. For All Mankind is building to something big.

For All Bullet Points

• The episode opens with a very funny scene where Aleida goes on a cable news show to talk about the Goldilocks asteroid but ends up getting surprised with questions about Margo Madison. She flips off the interview and starts dropping f-bombs. Rock on, Aleida.
• Speaking of Margo, the Soviets choose her as an emissary to go to NASA and work on getting the asteroid into Earth orbit. The show does a good job of making this very dramatic turn of events not seem utterly contrived. I think Margo has my favorite story this year.
• Kelly and her son arrive on Mars, and apparently it wasn't as terrible an idea as it first seemed. The lower gravity actually does help with his health problems. He also has the good sense to be wary around Ed.

Episode Grade: B

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