From the Earth to the Moon (TV Mini Series) Can We Do This? (1998) User Reviews

Pretty good overview

[pmike-11312 · 7/10 · 15 August 2022]

This episodes captures some of the early debates and problems-to-overcome in the early space program. Highly "Hollywooded", and some of the depictions of the spacecraft are hilarious (if Armstrong had seperated his Gemini 8 capsule from the Agena while spinning like that, both vehicles would've been destroyed. He had to gain control enough to virtually stop the spinning for a brief moment and Scott had to press the separation button with split-second timing). But, it still manages to get the gist of the era.

Of note- Al Franken plays a whiney, weasley little jerk here. He "plays" those so well..........(no acting ability needed).

Excellent start to the excellent series

[Solnichka · 10/10 · 6 February 2016]

Most viewers watching this series probably would come in having already watched "The Right Stuff", so it's great to see the episode focus briefly on that before moving to the Gemini program. The behind-the-scenes perspective we get with NASA planning is informative in this episode, and the acting here is top notch. Stephen Root does a nice turn here in a dramatic role, and even Chris Isaak shines in his appearance as astronaut Ed White. Overall, the episode is a great introduction to the series' main focus: Apollo. It rewards both experienced space-program fans and newbies to the subject with its coverage of the purpose and reasons for the Moon landings. Look for U.S. Senator Al Franken in this episode, too, discussing the policy implications of NASA with other Presidential advisers. The "Max Peck" scene is a highlight, as we meet many of the actors/astronauts we will become familiar with in the overall series. One final thought: The writing is very good here, as it reduces technical jargon to common language for every viewer.