Welcome to this week’s installment of Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week, wherein we spotlight strong women and nonbinary folks who inspire us. These characters are prime examples of empowerment and how crucial it is for youth to have said example to follow.
DISCLAIMER: The following contains major spoilers for Molly Cobb’s arc in For All Mankind.
Molly Cobb
Fast Facts:
Molly Cobb (Sonya Walger) was a NASA astronaut and the head of the Astronaut Office for the organization, serving in the latter post for nine years before Director Margo Madison (Wrenn Schmidt) fired her. Not much is known about her formative or adolescent years. However, we know she was a member of Mercury 13, which consisted of 13 women participating in the same training program as their male counterparts for NASA’s Project Mercury. We also know she was married to Wayne Cobb (Lenny Jacobson).
Season 1
After Mercury 13 was put to bed in 1962, Molly returned to NASA to join another female astronaut program with fellow Mercury 13 member and close friend Patty Doyle (Cass Bruggé). Unfortunately, Patty died in a tragic accident involving takeoff/landing maneuvers.
In 1970, she became an astronaut; passing said program with flying colors alongside three other astronauts: Danielle Poole (Krys Marshall), Tracy Stevens (Sarah Jones) and Ellen Waverly (Jodi Balfour). Later, Molly also became the first American woman on the Moon in the Apollo 15 mission. She flew there with Ed Baldwin (Joel Kinnaman). While on the Moon, Molly discovered ice in the Shackleton Crater.
Season 2
When Season 2 rolls around, in 1983, we see Molly hard at work outside the now-established Jamestown colony on the Moon. During a dangerous solar flare, Molly risked her life to save Wubbo Ockels (Bjørn Alexander). Both suffered from significant radiation exposure, Wubbo more so than Molly, increasing his risk for cancer. Molly bid farewell to the astronaut before he departed for the Netherlands, where he would spend his remaining time with family.
The radiation exposure from the solar flare brought on vision changes for Molly. At a doctor’s appointment, Molly learned she had normal tension glaucoma, which would inevitably develop into blindness. Treatment for her glaucoma became a point of contention between Molly and Wayne, as she had hoped to travel to Guadalajara to partake in an experimental medical trial. However, she decided to stay in the US and face whatever outcome befell her.
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By the Season 2 finale, Molly assisted Tracy and Gordo (Michael Dorman), who were on the Moon during a Soviet attack at the Jamestown base.
Season 3
In Season 3, Molly took over Ed’s position as head of the Astronaut Office. At this point, she was completely blind, with her guide dog Ollie helping her move around the Johnson Space Center. Molly continued to butt heads with Margo, especially when Molly appointed Ed to command the Mars mission and made Danielle his backup. Molly reminded Margo she was in charge of the astronauts; however, Margo fired her anyway.
Later, in 1995, Molly returned to JSC to help Ed propel a pregnant Kelly Baldwin (Cynthy Wu) to Phoenix, which was in orbit around Mars. During her visit, the center was bombed. Molly stayed behind to help those trapped by the rubble and lead them to safety. Unfortunately, she lost her life. Her body was found seven days after the attack. To honor her sacrifice, JSC was renamed Molly Cobb Space Center.
The Real Deal:
Molly boasts a take-no-prisoners attitude. She’ll tell you the unvarnished truth and won’t hold anything back. She’s the very definition of a badass. Despite her tough, wisecracking exterior, Molly is incredibly loyal to her loved ones and has a lot of love to give. She also stands up for what’s right. Sure, she’s a self-proclaimed “selfish prick,” but that doesn’t affect her strong moral compass.
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Additionally, Molly is an immensely talented pilot and astronaut. Even the great Ed Baldwin recognizes Molly’s flying prowess. There’s nobody else you’d want behind the wheel, especially in a pinch. Talents aside, at her core, Molly is a fiercely courageous, intelligent and confident soul who’s overcome her fair share of adversity to break records and rack up accomplishments of which most folks only dream.
Why She Matters:
Molly is a bona fide hero who eventually lays down her life to save others. She’s a selfless, tenacious leader with bigger balls than her cocksure contemporaries. Obstacles do not easily deter her. In fact, they shy away from Molly Cobb. In For All Mankind, she’s the first American woman on the Moon. If that’s not cool as hell, I don’t know what is. The show even renames the JSC in her honor. She leaves behind an indelible legacy.
So, be like Molly. Be unapologetically you, and screw the haters. Never be afraid to voice your opinions. Step up and save the day. Do the right thing. Oh, and it’s okay to be a selfish prick from time to time. Remember: “Selfish pricks change the world.”
For All Mankind Season 4 premieres on Friday, November 10, 2023, only on Apple TV+.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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