• Network: HULU
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 14, 2018
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 29
  2. Negative: 3 out of 29
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Critic Reviews

  1. Reviewed by: Kelly Lawler
    Sep 13, 2018
    37
    Long-winded, tedious and full of metaphors, allusions and symbols piled on top of each other in a literary garbage pile, The First is an unintentional parody of the expensive, self-important shows that somehow get the label "prestige TV."
  2. Reviewed by: Tim Surette
    Sep 12, 2018
    20
    By the time the astronauts do get into space it doesn't feel like a triumph for mankind at all. It feels like what should have happened six episodes ago.
  3. Reviewed by: Adam Chitwood
    Sep 4, 2018
    20
    At every turn, The First is far more interested in lingering shots of Tom in pensive thought, or delivering a monologue about man’s destiny for space travel, or grieving for his dead wife. And perhaps that would’ve been fine if the show had something else to offer, but it also misses the mark in telling a genuinely compelling story about space travel.
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 49 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 49
  2. Negative: 12 out of 49
  1. Sep 16, 2018
    10
    Amazing show and amazing performance from Sean Penn. I can understand those who give it a unfair low score, just because the show is not asAmazing show and amazing performance from Sean Penn. I can understand those who give it a unfair low score, just because the show is not as they expected, not because of the show itself. It's not a Sci-Fi it's a wonderful drama. Full Review »
  2. Sep 15, 2018
    0
    Just a boring drama that goes nowhere in the end. Don't waste your time if the sci-fi label triggered your interest.
  3. Sep 17, 2018
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. I like Sean Penn. the actors in the series were famous. I did not find the series interesting though. There was drama, but not a lot of real technical data. Sure it showed the SLS and dramatized the risks. If the person in question had so much personal distraction drama, they would have been grounded from a flight. I am sure there will be a second season because there is a lot of unfinished questions.
    What was the deal the old-fashioned dial phone??? is that a terrorist plot???

    I do hope the second seasoned delves further into the technology and less on the sappy emotional stuff (bah)/
    Full Review »