The Astronaut Wives Club: Scandal

Last time on TAWC: Gus heads up into outer space as Betty tries to keep it together. She seeks advice from Louise, who is dealing with her cold persona and relationship with the other women. When something goes wrong during Gus’ flight, he ends up under scrutiny and it affects his whole family.

John Glenn prepares to orbit the Earth while his wife Annie prepares to face the media with her stutter. When John’s flight is delayed, Vice President Johnson comes to visit her himself. But she refuses to let him in and NASA tries to ground John. When the men rally around him, they relent and John eventually orbits the Earth.

Deke Slayton ends up grounded before his big mission and Marge fears her past played a part in it.

Brace for impact.

We pick up where the last episode left off. Marge asks Deke why he’s grounded. He says it’s because of an irregular heartbeat. But Marge notes he’s always had it and Deke says NASA was fine with it when he was chosen. Now they aren’t and he doesn’t know why.

I still think it has something to do with Marge’s past.

The Astronaut Wives Club: SNAFU

Last time on TAWC: We were introduced to the seven men who became the first astronauts and their wives. As the women adjusted to life in the limelight, they also managed to band together. Even Louise Shepherd, who remained aloof and tried to project the image of the perfect wife. Things weren’t always so perfect with her husband Alan, but they loved each other. After his successful trip to outer space, the women prepared for life as astronaut wives and Betty Grissom learned her Gus would be the next to go up.

Commence the Countdown…

Betty and Annie go shopping together. Betty’s looking for the perfect outfit to wear when she goes to the White House. She has a few doubts but Annie manages to convince her to get a yellow Jackie O number, stutter and all. Betty goes for it.

The Astronauts Wives Club: Members’ Only

I had been intrigued by the promos for this show for some time now. The 1960s? A group of women banding together? Romance? Intrigue? Promise of angst? Count me in! Having a summer series can never hurt, right? So enjoy these recaps!

They threw A LOT of characters at us in forty-two minutes (give or take a commercial). So I’m sorry if I don’t know everyone’s name right off the bat. The astronauts and their wives should be easy because—hey—they are historical people. I can look up their names.

Let’s begin.

It’s May 5, 1961 and a rocket carrying Alan Shepherd has just been launched by NASA. If all goes well, Shepherd will be the first American in space. As the rocket climbs into the sky, the camera pulls out into a living room.

Sitting on the couch, holding her breath, is Louise Shepherd. She watches her husband slip beyond Earth as a man sitting next to her asks her for a comment. He’s a reporter for Life, who has the exclusive interview with Mrs. Shepherd. Louise doesn’t say anything.