608: Is For All Mankind Getting Old?

In episode 608 of Extra Hot Great: This Week In TV, the hosts dive into the fifth season of the sci-fi series For All Mankind, expressing mixed feelings about its current trajectory. While they acknowledge the show's early promise and its evolution from prestige drama to a more soap-opera-like tone, they lament that Season 5 feels directionless and overly reliant on procedural tropes—particularly a murder mystery that lacks the show's signature audacity. The hosts critique the stagnant, cheap-looking Mars base set, the underwhelming character arcs (especially Ed's aging, makeup-heavy portrayal), and the show’s failure to deliver on its earlier space-daring ambitions. Despite these frustrations, they admit a reluctant loyalty to the series, appreciating its campy charm and occasional bursts of brilliance. The episode also features a lively Around the Dial segment spotlighting SNL UK, Julio Torres’ surreal HBO special Color Theories, Stephen Conrad’s DTF St. Louis, and the standout Brooklyn Nine-Nine episode 'The Box,' which is inducted into the Extra Great Cannon for its masterful homage to interrogation tropes and stellar performances. The hosts conclude with a spirited Game Time round and a sharp critique of Andy Weir’s recent Star Trek remarks, naming him the week’s loser.