WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Season 1 of Space Force, now available on Netflix.
Netflix's Space Force is a politically-charged story that tugs at the vision of current U.S. President Donald Trump. While he's not mentioned by name, the POTUS wants "boots on the moon" by 2024 and General Naird (Steve Carell) has been tasked as Chief of Space Operations to get the job done by overseeing things at their Wild Horse, Colorado command center.
However, China's beaten them to the punch, setting up a base in the Sea of Tranquility, while using a rover to run over the American flag on the moon and taking down a satellite meant to boost the government's internet and spy capabilities. As a result, America's war council orders Naird to get his troops that reach the moon to attack China and assert dominance, leading to a very intriguing Season 1 finale.
BREAKING RANK
Naird refuses to make the call, which causes Space Force to be raided and taken over by his rival, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Grabaston (Noah Emmerich). But by that time, Naird has already sent word to his contingent to destroy their guns. However, Grabaston learns they have wrenches still and orders the troops from Earth to hit the Chinese. Led by Angela (Tawny Newsome), they pass the smiling and waving Chinese on their rovers to carry out the job.
As the mission occurs, Naird escapes the facility after breaking rank to rescue his daughter Erin (Diana Silvers), who was kidnapped by meth heads in the desert. Shockingly, they're joined by his wife Maggie (Lisa Kudrow), and the officer that broke her out of jail. It's a bit awkward as Maggie's now in a lesbian relationship with the officer, but the family is free to go on the run and sort their drama out.
THE U.S. ATTACK
Angela and Co. complete the attack and head back to base, feeling regretful. Grabaston's celebrating, though, because he knows this will get him major props in the eyes of the POTUS. He hates Naird's team with a passion, leaving Naird's scientific head, Mallory (John Malkovich) and his secretary Brad (Don Lake), staring down the barrel of a court-martial.
In fact, the entire Space Force team is set for a revamp on Earth as Grabaston always wanted this arm under the Air Force and was jealous Naird got the nod of approval. Angela's troops detail how they sabotaged the base, messed with the life support and utility systems, and confirm it's only a matter of time before the Chinese die. However, when they get back to theirs, they get the shock of their lives.
SPACE KARMA STRIKES
The Americans find their base dismantled as well, as they didn't leave any lookout. The Chinese contingent they passed on their rovers was actually heading to carry out similar orders and now, with no vessel or supplies coming for a month, both countries have spacemen there that will have to unite if they're to survive. This could see peacetime generated, sending a message home to both world powers that war isn't always the right option.
But with Grabaston at the helm, it'll be an uphill battle which is why Brad radios Naird and reveals that while he understands if the general flees, they do need him to come to take Space Force back. Brad and Mallory want all the astronauts saved, and Naird is the only person who can inspire this change from Earth. Naird quickly turns his chopper around with his family inside, indicating he's ready to kick his nemesis out from the military once and for all and stop a lunar extinction.
Created by Greg Daniel and Steve Carell, Space Force stars Carell, John Malkovich, Ben Schwartz, Diana Silvers and Tawny Newsome. Season 1 is currently available on Netflix.