NASA Vending Machine
Hosted by Dan Moren and Jason Snell
We came to podcast “For All Mankind!” Dan Moren and Jason Snell have the right stuff… to watch Apple TV’s space drama (and its spinoff, “Star City”) and break it down every week. Dramatic things are always happening around vending machines, if you didn’t notice.
Podcast art by Thom Zahler.
39 “Brave New World” (S5E8)
Now we’re in the thick of it. Avery is forced to grapple with her family history as she prepares for some serious duty. Miles is forced into extreme action to protect Happy Valley long enough to get some help. Polivanov and Boyd decide to take a terrifying joy ride. Kelly really leans into the whole “Ed Baldwin’s daughter” thing. And it’s a bad day to be a Padres fan, but what else is new?
Previous Episodes
-
May 7, 202638 “Sirens of Titan” (S5E7)
Disasters in space are a “For All Mankind” tradition, so let’s see how everyone does getting to Titan. But also, Mars is a place where disasters can happen, so let’s see who is in the Corn Dome at 3 a.m. on a weeknight! Things are getting tense everywhere. Let’s break it all down.
-
April 30, 2026
37 “No Sudden Moves” (S5E6)
The season’s second half starts with a gun to someone’s head and complete chaos in Mission Control. Dev and Aleida feel trapped, but Dev’s got some weird ideas about security. Our favorite new Space Marine reveals her amazing lineage. Boyd and Fred finally have that heart-to-heart. And who does Irinia really work for, and is it just herself? Let’s see how long we can all survive waiting to find out what happens next. Lock the doors.
-
April 23, 2026
36 “Svoboda” (S5E5)
After a brief prelude in a Soviet gulag just to remind us how scary Irinia is (she’s not locked in here with, you, comrade, you’re locked in here with her!), the story moves back to Mars. The reveal of the secret plan to create Automation has led to civil unrest. Miles, Alex, and Lilly are feeling the pressure. Aleida feels betrayed by Dev… again. We are a bit puzzled by what Dev’s plan is. But it looks like, at long last, the people of Mars really are ready to rise up. But… then what?
-
April 16, 2026
35 “Open Source” (S5E4)
It’s time for a new generation to take charge. Back on Earth, we meet a surprising new character with a deep “For All Mankind” lineage. On Mars, Dev gives Alex a pep talk that goes rapidly awry. Aleida deals with a serious Mars hangover. And when he discovers a nefarious plan that might change Mars forever, Alex puts his vending machine hacking skills to use.
-
April 9, 2026
34 “Home” (S5E3)
Young Ed! Old Ed! Hi Bob! Bye Ed! There’s so much to ponder in this special episode of “For All Mankind,” including Lee on the lam, Boyd’s Mars dating advice, Dev bonding with Alex over motorcycle maintenance, memories of Shane, and some surprise cameos.
-
April 2, 2026
33 “The Hard Six” (S5E2)
It was murder! On Mars! The discovery of a dead body last week leads to an inflammatory perp walk, a mysterious and unlogged cargo transfer, and an exciting car chase (but with hoppers). Also, there’s at least one more pasta night with the Baldwins. And maybe there’s life on Titan?
-
March 26, 2026
32 “First Light” (S5E1)
Get on your Mars bike and get ready to do some cool jumps! “For All Mankind” is back, and the NASA Vending Machine is restocked! But season 5 brings Domino’s and Starbucks to Mars, so who knows what else might be in store on the red planet? This episode helps us get reaquainted with the show, recaps what’s been going on in the decade since last season, and starts to put all the pieces in place for whatever story is about to be laid out before us.
-
January 17, 2024
31 S4 Exit Interview with Ben Nedivi & Matt Wolpert
With season 4 of “For All Mankind” in the books, we got a chance to spend a little time asking co-creators and showrunners Ben Nedivi and Matt Wolpert about the show in general, season four in particular, where the show might go if it’s renewed for future seasons, and (of course) why there are so many vending machines.
-
January 11, 2024
30 “Perestroika” (S4E10)
We say goodbye to season four by detailing the exciting and eventful finale, in which the counter-countermeasures are foiled by counter-counter-countermeasures… or are they? The tension between the crew and the authorities on Mars reaches a breaking point! Frantic typing occurs—but without typos! And Jason gets some strong “Babylon 5” vibes—in the best way. Comrades, there’s been a Martian vending machine right behind you all along!
-
January 4, 2024
29 “Brazil” (S4E9)
Everything gets tense as we rush toward the season finale. How many Star Trek shows are there in this universe? Was that a modem sound? Would it be better if the KGB and CIA worked together? And what’s more American than eating a McDonald’s burger in a motel?