Summary
“Legacy” is a slower-paced installment, focusing on the development of character and plot instead of delivering any real action or spectacle. There is tension and a few big reveals, but the series is more interested in building the narrative in this episode.
The long-running Apple TV+ sci-fi series For All Mankind moves ever closer to its Season 4 finale with Episode 8, “Legacy.” In the latest installment, Danielle and her team of astronauts prepare for the all-important asteroid capture mission, which Dev and his team hope to sabotage in some discreet way. Meanwhile, back on Earth, Margo awkwardly attempts to reconnect with her old colleagues at NASA.
There is tension and a few big reveals, but the series is more interested in building the narrative in this episode.
For All Mankind Season 4 Episode 8 Recap
“Legacy” begins with the return of the recurring character of Sergei, who has now settled into a somewhat normal life in suburban America. He has a new wife and a new job working as a science teacher. But his simple life is rocked when he sees Margo back on the news. The former lover hopes to meet with Margo once again, now that it has been confirmed that she is still alive.
This storyline is placed on the back burner though as we return to Dev’s plans to steal the Goldilocks asteroid. He asks Ed to cobble together a team to help with their secretive mission. Ed pleads with Sam at the bar to listen to Dev’s plans. Their conversation is interrupted by Palmer though as he closes down Miles’ operation for good.
What convinces Sam to meet with Dev?
Since Eli has asked for security to be tightened on Mars, there have been some major changes at Happy Valley. Miles’ operation isn’t the only alteration. Certain levels are closed off to the Helios workers and security is upped all across the station. These changes convince Sam to meet with Dev.
Dev then pitches his plans to Sam, Ed, and a few of the other disgruntled Helios workers. He wants to sabotage Danielle’s mission and slow down the asteroid so that it enters Mars’ orbit. If they don’t intervene, the asteroid will be manipulated by NASA into heading toward Earth’s orbit instead.
Danielle’s team and the workers back at NASA discuss the mission at the very same time across three interconnected sequences. Margo is seen back at NASA, helping with the mission on Earth. Although she receives awkward glances from her old work colleagues, who want nothing to do with her anymore.
How does Dev plan to steal the asteroid?
Dev and his new teammates discuss potential methods to slow down the asteroid, to keep it in Mars’ orbit. They agree that they will need to hack into NASA’s discriminator box or replace it with their own version. Dev asks Sam to be their inside woman, swapping the boxes without anyone noticing. This is his first step towards stealing the asteroid.
Whilst putting this plan into place, Ed is asked to look after Alex, his grandson. Kelly is busy starting one of her separate missions, looking for signs of life at the Korolev Crater. She will be gone for three days. Ed accepts these responsibilities but then has another work colleague take on babysitting duties in his place.
The next step in Dev’s mission involves the collection of vital equipment from Phoenix. Dev asks Miles to help with the transportation of these products without Danielle’s team uncovering their scheme. Miles fears that it is far too risky a mission, but Dev manages to convince him to accept the task, promising him untold wealth in return.
What happens to Dev’s discriminator box?
Miles goes ahead with the mission, taking the secret products out of the loading dock. They are inspected along the way, but Miles has prepared for this. He covers the top layers of each package to throw the guards off of the scent. The products are retrieved and checked by Dev’s team. Unfortunately, the discriminator box has been misplaced.
Their only option is to break into a secure room to retrieve it. Ed nominates his grandson Alex, who is tasked with crawling through a tiny vent to gain access to this closed-off room. Alex and Ed have had a rocky start to their relationship on Mars thus far, but Ed has made some major progress over the last few days. Alex happily accepts the job and is successful in retrieving the important object.
Back on Earth, Margo struggles to adapt to life back in the USA at NASA headquarters. She enjoys the American food but is still seen as a traitor, an outcast. Aleida even refuses to make small talk with her old work colleague. Her opinion of Margo is drastically changed though by the sudden appearance of Sergei at her home.
Sergei asks for the chance to defend Margo. He tells Aleida all about their traumatic past. Sergei explains how Margo was forced to cooperate with the Russians. They tortured Sergei, threatening to kill him if Margo didn’t comply. Aleida is thankful that Sergei has told her the truth, but she still struggles to forgive Margo for all the pain that she has caused her.
How does For All Mankind Season 4 Episode 8 end?
Aleida eventually agrees to help Sergei. She passes on a cryptic message to Margo. Later, Margo deciphers this message and meets with Sergei at an agreed venue. Sergei warns Margo about her impending doom. He tells Margo that she is not safe with the Soviets. Irina was originally Sergei’s handler, working with the KGB, she is not to be trusted.
It is then revealed that Irina was behind everything, she caused the breakdown of both Margo and Sergei’s lives. She forced Sergei to move to America, she purposely kept them apart. Sergei tells Margo that she can never go back to the Soviet Union.
The episode concludes back in space. Sam prepares to steal NASA’s discriminator box, but Palmer is watching her every move like a hawk. Sam realizes in that moment the magnitude of her mission; this will not be an easy task to complete.
What did you think of For All Mankind Season 4 Episode 8? Comment below.
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