Review: For All Mankind, "Happy Valley" | Season 3, Episode 4
A three-way race to Mars tests the mettle and motives of the astronauts hurtling toward the unknown
From the news coverage we see in “Happy Valley,” the race for Mars is captivating (some of) the American public: merchandise is flying off the shelves, and news broadcasts are spotlighting each of the astronauts aboard Sojourner I. And unlike the race to the Moon, which was shaped more by technical capability and execution, this is a literal race, with the three ships—Phoenix nee Polaris, Sojourner, and the Soviets’ Mars 94—all en route to the red planet fighting to be first.
When we join the race in progress, though, Ed believes that it’s already won: their trajectories are set, and there’s no way either the Mars or Sojourner can catch up with Phoenix’s pace. It reminds us that this “race” is actually a lot of staring into empty space, with pirate radio broadcasts from Kelly and the occasional chat with your fellow captain ahead or behind the most you’ll be stimulated in a day (or a week). But then Sojourner decides that it’s time for “Operation Jolly Roger,” unfurling…