The creators of 'For All Mankind' have crafted a finale that's all about leaving viewers hanging, and that's precisely the point. In an interview with Collider, showrunners Ben Nedivi and Matt Wolpert discussed the big moments in the season five finale and how they'll play into season six, all without giving away any spoilers. They want you to come back for the sixth and final season, and they're doing a great job of keeping you on the edge of your seat.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the finale is the death of Kelly. While they knew they were going to kill Kelly's father, Ed, early in the season, it wasn't until later that they realized Kelly had to go too. This decision was partly due to the fact that Kelly never got to reveal the reason they were on Titan - she disobeyed orders, a truth that her captain, Walt, never found out about. Nedivi explained that Kelly's sacrifice was justified not only by her actions on the ship but also by the fact that it was the right thing to do for her family and Alex, who had grown up by that point. The showrunners wanted to make this sacrifice dramatic and emotionally impactful, as they had grown close to the character and the actress over the years.
The finale also featured Kelly walking into a pool of methane and seeing the creatures she helped discover. Wolpert described this moment as a combination of sadness and joy, with Kelly getting a last glimpse of the bigger picture before her death. This moment was intended to be a fitting send-off for the character, with no larger implications beyond the emotional impact it had on the audience.
When asked about the discovery of life on Titan and its implications for the show, Nedivi was tight-lipped, but he did hint at a more hopeful future for the show. He suggested that the discovery of life on Titan would be a symbol of where the show is going and what the focus of the show will be moving forward. The showrunners are currently filming season six, which will reveal what our present is like in this alternate timeline, with humans living on Mars and proof of life in the galaxy.
The finale also featured a time jump to 2020, with a Russian ship floating into space and coming to life after decades. Wolpert confirmed that this moment is important and will fuel the story of season six, leaving viewers with an intriguing question about the ship's message and its implications for the show's future.
