Season 4 of Apple TV+’s mainstay sci-fi series For All Mankind wrapped a week ago, but let’s be honest: we’re all pining for Season 5. Unfortunately, the streamer hasn’t greenlit a fifth season (yet). However, that won’t stop me from predicting/theorizing what might transpire in a potential Season 5. I do what I want. Reach for the stars! 

To bide my time until Season 5 (hopefully) hits the small screen, here are my eight predictions for where the narrative might take us. Fasten your seatbelts, folks. Spoilers lie in these here parts of the universe. 

We’ll See the End of Ed 

Ed Baldwin (Joel Kinnaman), aka Old Man Mars, has been through a lot over these four seasons. He’s lost a wife (ex, but still), a son and a few best friends. He’s exerted so much effort to avoid returning to Earth that it’s only fitting he goes out on Mars. You know, the Red Planet he fought for in Season 4. 

RELATED: Check out our recap of For All Mankind Season 4 Episode 10, “Perestroika”

Now, he would be the last character remaining from the beginning of Season 1 (in terms of seeing the same actor in that role). Why? Season 4 was most likely Danielle’s (Krys Marshall) last hurrah. As for Margo (Wrenn Schmidt), she was carted off in handcuffs in the final moments of “Perestroika” after taking the fall (again) for someone she loves — Aleida (Coral Peña). It would be repetitive for the creative team to bring Margo back to “consult” on an engineer-related issue. Plus, I don’t think NASA would welcome any input from her unless Aleida were in charge (more on that later). 

That leaves good ole grumpy Ed. While I don’t think he’ll take center stage (that part will be reserved for the younger leads and new characters), his story will come to a close. He’ll simply have a reduced presence. 

Aleida wears a headset while standing in the Mission Operations Control Room at NASA in For All Mankind Season 4 Episode 10, "Perestroika."

FOR ALL MANKIND Season 4 Episode 10, “Perestroika.” Photo courtesy of Apple TV+.

Ed, Dev and Sam Will Remain on Mars as Punishment for the Asteroid Heist 

Last week, I recall seeing anger regarding the lack of punishment for the asteroid heist crew. In addition to all the good the iridium mining will do for Mars, we’ll see the ramifications of the heist for those involved. Ed, Dev (Edi Gathegi) and Sam (Tyner Rushing) must remain on Mars as punishment for their direct involvement. Meanwhile, Miles (Toby Kebbell) will face lighter consequences since he cooperated with the feds. So, this could mean he’ll return to Earth for a spell before flying back to Mars. 

RELATED: For All Mankind: Breaking Down the Season 4 Premiere News Montage

Keeping Ed, Dev and Sam trapped on Mars would open doors for fun character exploration by way of planetary cabin fever. I can picture Sam growing restless on Mars, and we might see Ed finally grow weary of the Red Planet. Dev would be the exception to that. He truly wants to take Mars to the next level. 

Kelly’s Research Will Pay Off in Season 5

I was disappointed to see Kelly (Cynthy Wu) sidelined in Season 4. That said, the methane concentrations Kelly tells Dev about in “Brazil” could be evidence of life. As for my Kelly-centric predictions, I believe her research will yield dividends in Season 5. She’ll have confirmation of microbial life on Mars, which will be a breeding ground for other discoveries. Now, I don’t think we’ll ever see aliens on this show. For All Mankind has always been science fiction that’s somewhat grounded in realism. However, Kelly’s findings will fill in the blanks on how humans support future life on Mars. 

Dev looks focused while standing in a hallway in the Happy Valley base on Mars in For All Mankind Season 4 Episode 10, "Perestroika."

FOR ALL MANKIND Season 4 Episode 10, “Perestroika.” Photo courtesy of Apple TV+.

Alex Will Have a More Central Role 

Alex was played by the adorable Ezrah Lin in Season 4. In 2012, Alex will be a teenager — 17 years old, to be precise. He’ll undoubtedly play a more significant role in Season 5 as he barrels toward young adulthood. I can picture him having aspirations of pursuing engineering like his mama. Additionally, it’ll be exciting to explore his relationship with Ed, aka Poppy. Remember that time Poppy had Alex commit theft at Happy Valley? Fun times. 

RELATED: 10 Star Trek References on Futurama, Part 4

Aleida Is Now the Director of NASA 

I’m calling it now. Aleida will spearhead NASA in 2012, taking over the role of director upon Hobson’s (Daniel Stern) retirement. Or she’ll slip into that spot right when Season 5 starts. Regardless, her journey has always mirrored her mentor, Margo (hopefully not the treason part, though). I believe her engaging her presentational skills at the M7 conference in Season 4 will pave the way for her to shoulder this leadership mantle. Plus, we’ll need someone to be at the center of the Earth storyline. Who better than Aleida?  

The Season Finale Could Take Us to the Outer System 

Let’s assume the Season 5 finale will show us arriving in 2020 or 2021 for Season 6. Imagine our crew heading to Europa, one of Jupiter’s largest moons, in those last minutes. Chills, right? While it doesn’t have to be Europa specifically, one throughline for Season 5 on the Mars side of things could be expanding exploration to the outer solar system. We might see various teams on Earth and Mars diving headfirst into extensive preparations to take humankind beyond Mars. 

Kelly wears a space suit while standing on the surface of Mars, surrounded by equipment, in For All Mankind Season 4 Episode 8, "Legacy."

FOR ALL MANKIND Season 4 Episode 8, “Legacy.” Photo courtesy of Apple TV+.

Ed Won’t Go Out in a Blaze of Glory 

You read it here first (or not). If you recall, Ed confessed to Kelly that he hopes to go out in a blaze of glory. Reader, I predict that won’t transpire. I imagine part of his final arc will be him coming to terms with having an ordinary death after enjoying the fruits of an extraordinary life. Perhaps he’ll leave this plane while surrounded by his daughter and grandson. Not that 81-year-olds can’t die heroically, but there’s something intriguing about having Ed quietly fade away after living life as a perpetual hero (even when he’s an a-hole). 

But who knows? Maybe Ed will stay alive purely out of spite. Take that, haters. 

RELATED: Catch up on all the space adventures with our For All Mankind recaps…

Dev Will Plant the Seeds for Martian Independence 

This one’s pretty obvious on my predictions list, given Dev’s overgrowth of ambition and his successful seizing of Goldilocks. He has big plans for Mars. I predict we’ll see him plant the seeds for Martian independence in Season 5. They might not blossom until Season 6, but this will be a massive part of his story. Earth will try to push back once they learn of Dev’s moves.

Ed leans down to talk to Alex in the Happy Valley base on Mars.

FOR ALL MANKIND Season 4 Episode 8, “Legacy.” Photo courtesy of Apple TV+.

While it was apparent a self-sustaining Mars couldn’t exist in Season 4, who knows what’ll happen in nine years? Mars might have made advances far beyond our expectations with all that iridium. I can see Dev dubbing himself Mars’ first Head of State, à la the Secretary-General role in The Expanse. Ed might pitch in to help his asteroid-stealing buddy. Watching Dev form a government and dive into some scintillating political machinations on the Red Planet would be entertaining as hell. 

What are your predictions for a potential fifth season of For All Mankind? Sound off in the comments below. 

For All Mankind Seasons 1 through 4 are now streaming on Apple TV+. 

Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: MOLLY COBB

Melody McCune
Follow me!
Latest posts by Melody McCune (see all)