This post will analyze the the Episode 4, titled “Nixon’s Women”, of the For All Mankind television series using the 5 Commandments of Storytelling and the Editor’s 6 Core Questions from the book The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne.
SPOILER ALERT!!!
Obviously, I will be discussing plot points from the television series For All Mankind. So, check it out before reading further.
Recap of Episode 3 “Nixon’s Women”:
- Nixon orders co-priorities of NASA are establishment of lunar base and a women on the moon, “preferably blond”
- Deke must train 20 women astronauts, because there were none in the program at that time
- Tracy Stevens because Nixon’s poster girl
- Tracy doesn’t believe she belongs
- Tracy helps fellow trainee in the desert survival phase
- Patty is killed in a training accident
Review of Episode 4 “Prime Crew”:
- Deke is told to drop the women project after the accident that killed Patty
- The Vietnam War is over and Ted Kennedy runs for president against Nixon
- Deke goes against orders and announces to the press that Molly Cobb is going tot he moon
- Russian shuttle crashes
- Apollo 15 will search for base location
- Molly has clashes with her crew during training, but turns it around
- Karen is a lesbian
- Molly and crew launch
Inciting Incident:
Molly thinks they will cancel the women’s program because of the accident.
Turning Point:
Deke is told to drop the women’s project after the accident that killed Patty
Crisis Question:
Does Deke drop the women’s program or not? His stakes: if he drops the program it is against his moral code, if he doesn’t he might lose his job.
Climax:
He announces that Molly will go up in Apollo 15.
Resolution:
Molly trains and blasts off.
Summary:
I’m still hooked, can’t wait to see what happens next.
More Story Analysis
If you want to see more applications of the Story Grid methodology, below are links to my analysis of various novels and television shows in blog posts and podcasts:
Story Grid Showrunners Podcast – Parul, Melanie, and I analyze hit TV series using the Story Grid methodology.
My blog posts analyzing other Television series – my personal take using the Story grid 5 Commandments to look at my favorite TV series – Jack Ryan, Batgirl, For All Mankind, Hanna, and more.
Novel analysis – I analyze some of my favorite books using the Story Grid 5 Commandments and 6 core questions – First Blood, Old Man’s War, Waylander, and more to come!