Ep 2. Goodies

In season 1 episode 2 of The Right Stuff titled "Goodies," the astronauts in Project Mercury are given a taste of the high life as they are gifted with various luxury items and experiences by companies looking to capitalize on their newfound fame.

As the episode begins, the seven astronauts are each surprised with a shiny new Corvette, courtesy of General Motors. With their new cars, they drive to a promotional event where they are showered with gifts from various companies, including watches, suits, and even premium cigars.

Despite their initial excitement, the astronauts soon begin to feel uncomfortable with their new status as celebrities and objects of corporate sponsorship. Alan Shepard, in particular, is uncomfortable with the pressure to constantly be in the public eye and maintain a certain image.

Meanwhile, the astronauts continue to train for their upcoming space missions, including a simulated flight in the "Vomit Comet" and a grueling underwater training exercise. As they work to perfect their skills, tensions begin to rise among the crew, especially between Shepard and John Glenn.

Back in the public eye, Glenn is asked to appear on a game show where he is tasked with identifying different types of aircraft. Though he performs well, he begins to feel like he is being reduced to a simple "knowledge dispenser" rather than a complex human being.

As the episode draws to a close, the astronauts are invited to a fancy gala where they are once again the center of attention. But as they rub shoulders with the wealthy elite and accept more expensive gifts, they begin to question whether they truly belong in this world of excess and superficiality.

With themes of fame, consumerism, and identity, "Goodies" is a thought-provoking and engaging episode that will leave viewers eagerly anticipating what's next for the astronauts of Project Mercury.