Star City - S1E1/2 - The Eyes / A Bear on a Chain

Hey Comrade Bobs! We're diving into the Soviet side of the For All Mankind universe with Star City Season 1, Episodes 1 & 2 — "The Eyes" and "A Bear on a Chain."

This one's a slow-burn political thriller with a definite Andor vibe — gritty, paranoid, and full of tension. We follow Irina's origin story as she navigates the KGB machine, young Sergei catching the Chief Designer's eye, and Belikova's high-stakes moon landing that goes sideways in spectacular fashion (yes, there's a bear). The forced marriage plot, the constant surveillance, and that bleak-but-beautiful Soviet aesthetic all hit hard.

We break down the stark contrast to the American space program, the paranoia baked into every scene, and why this feels like a fresh (and very different) chapter in the FAM universe.

Drop your thoughts at [email protected] — we read every one!

See you next week, Bobs!