Summary
“The Bear Hug” is a lengthy installment that needs some major editing down, but it still works effectively within the fourth season’s story arc.
The many separate subplots in Apple TV+’s For All Mankind continue to progress in Season 4’s lengthy third episode, titled “The Bear Hug.” In the latest installment, Miles looks to earn a little money on the side, whilst Ed opens up to Svetlana on Mars. Back on Earth, Kelly and Aleida pitch to potential investors, and Margo is interrogated by the Russian police. Episode 3 continues to build momentum in the plot, juxtaposing some tense sequences with the more playful aspects of the show.
For All Mankind Season 4 Episode 3 Recap
“The Bear Hug” kicks off with Margo’s storyline. The American has been arrested for attending a political demonstration and then thrown in a prison cell for her troubles. The police interrogate Margo about the mysterious phone number that they have found on a blank white card in her handbag.
Margo insists that she doesn’t know who this woman who supplied the card is or what she wants from her. They threaten Margo with potential death if she does not tell them the truth. Poor Margo is cuffed up and questioned, yet she continues to tell them the truth, sticking to her story valiantly. She is completely unaware of this woman’s motives.
News of the political coup in Russia, which Margo has found herself caught in the middle of, makes its way to Happy Valley as well. It appears that they are unable to get in contact with anyone in the Soviet Union now. Ed’s co-worker Svetlana worries about the safety of her own family.
Who is Ilya?
Meanwhile, Miles contemplates ways to make some extra money on Mars. He still needs to provide for his family and has discovered that he is stuck on the red planet for the next two years. Miles sees how Ilya runs his illegal business at Happy Valley and wants in on the action. Ilya is a maintenance worker just like Miles, who runs a big operation at the base. He helps with the collection and distribution of illegal items for the citizens of Happy Valley, whilst running his secret bar at the very same time.
Miles asks to help Ilya with the running of his operation. Ilya is intrigued by Miles’ specific skillset, as the repair man has access to every part of the base. Ilya agrees to take him under his wing, showing Miles the tricks of the trade. They soon strike up a lucrative partnership together. Miles is finally earning some real money on Mars; he can now provide for his family after all.
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Back on Earth, Kelly and Aleida take their business pitch to all of the private companies out there. Unfortunately, they are rejected by all of them, including Helios. With no one else to pitch to, they decide to give Dev a call. The billionaire has become a recluse over the last few years though and rejects their pitch straight away.
In Happy Valley, Ed tries to cheer up Svetlana. He shows her his hidden stash of marijuana. Ed admits that this is to help with his aches and pains. He then shows Svetlana his shaking hands, unsure of what is causing this hindrance. Svetlana calms his hands with her own. Is there a new romance on the cards here?
How does Miles ruin Ilya’s operation?
Miles continues to aid Ilya with his illegal operations. He tries to fix Ilya’s distillation machine as a goodwill gesture but ends up breaking the machine instead. Ilya is furious with Miles; his operation will be down for months now, while they wait for the key parts to fix the machine. Miles desperately needs a new thermostat to get the machine working properly once again.
A quick search on Happy Valley’s computer system reveals the exact location of the last thermostat on Mars. Miles will need to infiltrate the North Korean’s quarters to retrieve it. He fakes a leak and manages to gain the all-important access to these forbidden quarters.
Miles quickly steals the thermostat, but he is caught by Lee Jung-Gil. The American apologizes for the theft and returns the item right away. Surprisingly, Lee allows Miles to keep it, but he of course wants something in return. The North Korean asks Ilya to bring his wife to Mars for him, a task that sounds insane, but one that is not quite impossible either.
On Earth, further miracles are happening. Dev changes his mind and offers to help Kelly and Aleida with their research project. He doesn’t want to invest in the project himself but proposes that they use Helios’ money instead. Dev decides to become Helios’ CEO again so that they can fund the research project without any setbacks.
Does Dev Ayesa become Helios’ CEO again?
For Dev to become Helios’ CEO again, they need to gain the majority stake in the company. They tackle the stockholders separately. Aleida meets with Bill, who happily signs away his shares for his old friend. After securing the right numbers to take over, Dev storms into a Helios board meeting to reclaim his company. Dev is then reinstated as Helios’ CEO. His first job is to fire nearly all of the back-stabbing staff members that work there.
How does For All Mankind Season 4 Episode 3 end?
The third installment then ends with Margo’s storyline. She is interrogated by both sides of the political war in Russia and is then transported out of the prison with a bag over her head. Margo fears that she will be killed by the firing squad, but she is miraculously saved. Margo is then greeted by Irina Morozova, who wants her to come and work for her at Star City.
What did you think of For All Mankind Season 4 Episode 3? Comment below.
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