Apple TV Review – Star City

      Chris Connor reviews the Apple TV spin-off, Star City…

      For All Mankind has been a flagship series for Apple TV since its debut in 2019, although it still seems relatively underappreciated. The show explores an alternate reality where the Soviet Union lands on the Moon first, intensifying the space race and impacting human society. Following the conclusion of its fifth season, the series has now given rise to Star City, which examines a similar period to the initial season of For All Mankind—specifically the 1960s and 70s, but through a Soviet lens. The tonal difference is striking.

      From the outset, it's clear that this is a distinctly different show, steeped in dread and paranoia. While For All Mankind celebrates humanity's greatest qualities, portraying an optimistic future marked by cooperative moon and Mars missions, Star City presents a stark contrast in style. Though it revisits some events from the opposing perspective, it feels less like science fiction and more akin to a paranoid thriller or espionage drama. The Soviet government is portrayed as constantly surveilling anyone deemed suspicious, including its own astronauts, making NASA's competitive approach seem almost trivial by comparison.

      The cast is impressive, even though the choice to feature an almost entirely British ensemble, complete with their own accents, is an unusual one. Rhys Ifans plays a chief designer who is icy, driven, and ruthlessly ambitious, while Anna Maxwell Martin stands in stark contrast to her role in Motherland, portraying the formidable Lyudmilla Raskova—KGB’s all-seeing presence within Star City, who misses nothing.

      The tension throughout is consistently high, making Star City an exhilarating experience. The decision to adopt such a radically different tone feels justified and enriches the universe. Rather than rehashing scenes from the previous series, we are given a deeper understanding of the characters and the implications of the Russian space program on their lives.

      The depiction of 1960s and 70s Moscow is outstanding, with the harsh conditions contrasting sharply with the often sunny scenes in For All Mankind. The tension and ruthless atmosphere also contribute to making the hour-long episodes feel like they fly by.

      Star City is a commendable addition to the For All Mankind universe. It serves as a model that other franchises contemplating spin-offs should follow, offering something significant while also enriching its predecessor.

      Chris Connor