In the highly anticipated fifth season of Apple TV+'s alternate history series 'For All Mankind,' audiences bid a poignant farewell to one of its central figures, Ed Baldwin, portrayed by Joel Kinnaman. Episode 3, titled "Home," marks the conclusion of Ed's extensive journey, chronicling his final days and the profound emotional impact this arc had on Kinnaman himself.

Ed Baldwin's demise follows a sharp decline in his health, exacerbated by a cancer diagnosis revealed earlier in the season. Despite medical advice against piloting, Ed makes a heroic, self-sacrificing choice to fly a hopper and help Lee Jung-Gil escape Happy Valley, thus preventing his extradition to North Korea for a crime he didn't commit. This courageous act leaves Ed unconscious, leading to his eventual death. The episode beautifully portrays Ed's last moments as he reconciles with his grandson, Alex, after a previous argument. It features emotionally charged flashbacks to a younger Ed fighting in the Korean War and a heartfelt final gathering with his family at Ilya's bar, including appearances by former co-stars Michael Dorman (Gordo) and Shantel VanSanten.

Joel Kinnaman described filming Ed's final episode as the "most emotional experience" of his career, admitting he was "a total mess" and crying daily. He reflected on the existential aspect of portraying a character across decades, confronting his own mortality, especially as Ed's age mirrored his father's. Kinnaman also expressed immense honor in telling the show's optimistic story, which deeply resonated with him. He was particularly moved by reuniting with Michael Dorman, whose portrayal of Gordo had made them close friends.

Over the course of the series, Ed Baldwin's character underwent significant evolution. While initially a rebel within the establishment, his moral compass increasingly put him at odds with the system, developing a "fuck you" attitude towards authority. Kinnaman noted that Ed's sense of humor also evolved, becoming funnier and crankier with age. The collaboration with the show's writers allowed Kinnaman's improvisations and quirks to organically shape Ed's developing personality, making the portrayal even more authentic.

A notable aspect of 'For All Mankind' has been its meticulous depiction of character aging through prosthetics. Kinnaman shared insights into this challenging process, revealing that in Season 4, he spent five to six hours in the makeup chair daily, followed by long shooting days and an hour to remove the prosthetics. This intensive regimen was mentally taxing. Interestingly, he found it easier to portray an 80-year-old Ed in Season 5, as the prosthetics process was halved, and he could more effectively embody the character's slower physical tempo while maintaining inner sharpness and adjusting his vocal delivery. He fondly recalled Ed's love for cheese as a consistent character trait.

The decision to kill Ed Baldwin in Season 5 was not an abrupt one, but rather a part of the show's original five-season vision conceived in 2018 by creators Matt Wolpert, Ben Nedivi, and Ron Moore. The creators deliberately chose to have Ed die early in the season, rather than in the finale, to both surprise the audience and allow the narrative sufficient "runway" to "pass the baton." This approach aimed to address the "vacuum" left by Ed's central role, ensuring other characters could step up and fill that space within the same season, preserving the ensemble nature of the show and its narrative integrity.

Ed's legacy, however, is expected to endure, particularly through his daughter and grandson, Alex, who are anticipated to adopt some of Ed's "cavalier, cowboy-esque approach to life." Kinnaman praised Sean Kaufman's portrayal of the adult Alex, noting his talent, presence, and ability to make the character his own. The long-awaited Korean War flashbacks, which had been discussed for about four years, finally found their place in Ed's final episode, offering a glimpse into a younger Ed's hidden guilt and shame.

Despite fan speculation, including a humorous suggestion of Ed returning as a robot, Kinnaman confirmed that there is no possibility of his character returning for Season 6. He emphasized that the show's integrity forbids such fantastical leaps, which aligns with its grounded and patient approach to science fiction. This finality, Kinnaman believes, makes Ed's goodbye more meaningful. He also briefly reunited with his 'The Killing' co-star Mireille Enos in Ed's final episode, albeit with Ed being unconscious, but managed to sneak in a playful "What's up, Linden?" as an Easter egg.