The First

:

Season 1
  • Network: HULU
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 14, 2018
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 49 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 49
  3. Negative: 12 out of 49
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User Reviews

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  1. thegordo
    Sep 16, 2018
    4
    While there's a lot to appreciate in the writing and shooting of this drama, and Sean Penn does a surprisingly outstanding job, the whole series is quite boring. If you're interested in TONS AND TONS of character development, relationship complications, and social issues salted with the slightest bit of sci-fi, then this may be for you. I can't deny some inventive cinematography andWhile there's a lot to appreciate in the writing and shooting of this drama, and Sean Penn does a surprisingly outstanding job, the whole series is quite boring. If you're interested in TONS AND TONS of character development, relationship complications, and social issues salted with the slightest bit of sci-fi, then this may be for you. I can't deny some inventive cinematography and unique vignettes here, though a good bit of the non-relationship writing is a tad simplistic (as relates to government/science issues).

    That this is a series about going to Mars is basically a MacGuffin to just drive the drama.

    While I enjoyed Solaris (2002) for what it was, it was like having to watch an 8-hour version of that style. It is a mature, complex drama, though, if that's what you're looking for.

    It barely gets a 4 because I hate to give it a negative rating. It does have artistic merit. I didn't find it to be that enjoyable, though.    … Expand
  2. Achaern
    Oct 3, 2018
    9
    This show is wonderful. It's a drama hinging on the human emotion. I have to say while not getting top billing, Anna Jacoby-Heron truly is the break out heart and soul of this show. Everything everyone is doing effectively is reflected and hinges on her character Denise's journey. I love this show, and I loved her character. Watch it, and go on that journey with her and her family. WellThis show is wonderful. It's a drama hinging on the human emotion. I have to say while not getting top billing, Anna Jacoby-Heron truly is the break out heart and soul of this show. Everything everyone is doing effectively is reflected and hinges on her character Denise's journey. I love this show, and I loved her character. Watch it, and go on that journey with her and her family. Well done all around!… Expand
  3. Ascospore
    Nov 16, 2018
    6
    Sloooow. But some of the space sequences and the atmospheric soundtrack are memorable. Cut out all the crap with the daughter and it would've been a more watchable 5 episodes instead of a tedious 8.
  4. FabrizioMaffei
    Sep 20, 2018
    6
    If you expect to see a fast sci-fi series forget it, because The First isn’t that kind of science fiction, and also because there’s not much sci-fi (the first episodes and the last).
    But sci-fi can also be in the background if there is a good idea, which this series reaches in half.
    Behind everything there are the feelings of the characters (and their families) who are involved in the    If you expect to see a fast sci-fi series forget it, because The First isn’t that kind of science fiction, and also because there’s not much sci-fi (the first episodes and the last).
    But sci-fi can also be in the background if there is a good idea, which this series reaches in half.
    Behind everything there are the feelings of the characters (and their families) who are involved in the mission that will take them to Mars.
    Sometimes this kind of style (like Malick) works very well, thanks to actors such as Sean Penn and Natascha McElhone in a state of grace, but other times no and it becomes trivial, boring and in which the dialogues become just chatter for commercials.
    There are characters that we've seen a few hundred times (like Denise Hagerty).
    Of others characters (like Sadie Hewitt) we understand the fate from the first episode, and they are there… don’t know why.
    The episode 7 doesn’t have any logical sense.
    But still, The First has its charm thanks as I said to the protagonists, a great photography and beautiful music.    … Expand
  5. WS5
    Sep 20, 2018
    10
    I didn't expect to like this as much as I did. Pretty amazing series. It is sort of Terrence Malick meets The Right Stuff. I didn't mind that most of the show is set on Earth. And I don't think Sean Penn has ever been better.
  6. Strongsafety
    Sep 15, 2018
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I am giving it a four because some of the acting was good. Penn is good and intense in his roles. He was good as the dad. I was expecting a movie about space exploration. But after streaming five episodes I realized that this has more to do with personal struggles on Earth than it has to do with seeing people on Mars. A lot of social issues, family issues, couples issues, politically correct issues, people getting drunk and singing, people swimming with dumbbells........I stopped after episode 5......… Expand
  7. Lisa24
    Sep 15, 2018
    10
    I thoroughly enjoyed it! Binged all 8 episodes. I knew Sean Penn could handle gritty roles, but seeing him play a father with a troubled daughter was a pleasant surprise. I didn't know what to expect because I didn't know much about the series before watching it. The acting was wonderful, the scenes were visually fantastic and the storyline was unexpected and refreshing. I found itI thoroughly enjoyed it! Binged all 8 episodes. I knew Sean Penn could handle gritty roles, but seeing him play a father with a troubled daughter was a pleasant surprise. I didn't know what to expect because I didn't know much about the series before watching it. The acting was wonderful, the scenes were visually fantastic and the storyline was unexpected and refreshing. I found it to be just what I wanted to see: a drama that told a story without being overly heavy, messy or violent. I also wan to express my gratitude that it was not yet another sci-fi, unrealistic mess that yearns for a cult following of YA fans. Worth your time.… Expand
  8. xxlwyc
    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 as they expected, not because of the show itself. It's not a Sci-Fi it's a wonderful drama.
  9. pythag0ras
    Sep 15, 2018
    0
    wow what a snore fest. Its more about the time leading up to the launch rather then seeing anyone on mars. In fact , you dont get to see them on mars at all. Shame.
  10. RamboVital
    Sep 20, 2018
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. May Contain Spoilers* I love every part of the science, the training, space possibilities, space problems and all the NASA parts. If that was it, it would be an awesome 10 out of 10 series. But, then you have the drama parts. If there was just a little bit of it like, “Martian” that would be great but there isn’t just a little bit of useless drama but a ton of it. You also have to deal with a lot of useless family garbage as well. There will be so much of it that you will only get about 10 minutes or less per episode when it comes to anything to do with space. Now, if you were to splice only the NASA parts together then oh it would be wonderful. In fact maybe someone will do it in the future. Also, if that wasn't enough, the trailers and commercials only shows NASA / Science parts to suck you in to watching it.… Expand
  11. WSG524
    Sep 16, 2018
    6
    Very interesting, and well done! But...Who the hell is the guys repairing old phones in a filthy workshop?????
  12. LASTFURIAN
    Sep 23, 2018
    10
    Fantastic brilliant show nice to see sean penn back at what he does best. Cant wait for season 2
  13. rocketaholic
    Sep 17, 2018
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand 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)/    … Expand
  14. Idiota150
    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.
  15. whpratt
    Sep 17, 2018
    3
    The narrative is extremely disjointed and is marred by a lot of self indulgent scenes that go no where. They had an interesting premise then pulled out various plot points randomly out of a hat and shoved them into the story whether they fit or not. Nothing much happens, the characters are pretty much one dimensional, even though Sean Penn tries his hardest to bring some life to his. ItThe narrative is extremely disjointed and is marred by a lot of self indulgent scenes that go no where. They had an interesting premise then pulled out various plot points randomly out of a hat and shoved them into the story whether they fit or not. Nothing much happens, the characters are pretty much one dimensional, even though Sean Penn tries his hardest to bring some life to his. It like listening to a four year old tell a meandering story about nothing. This happens, then this happens, then this happens… it's a Hulu snore-fest.… Expand
  16. UBD
    Sep 18, 2018
    1
    I don't know why I watched this after the first few episodes. It was advertised as sci-fi, but it was a weird sort of exercise with unlikable and pointless characters.
  17. nilsy
    Sep 26, 2018
    2
    Its a family drama show.
    Any claim to be science fiction is ... less then 1-2% of the show.
    It could be called " the papper work and brown nosing done to get a mars mission of the ground by depressed people and their families on the brink of full collapse" but nobody would go and watch it way to honest.
  18. zootsuit
    Oct 16, 2018
    10
    A bit slow at points but episode 5 is as stirring and surreal of television I've seen in a long time.
  19. jop369
    Oct 9, 2018
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This show has excellent writing, acting, CGI and cinematography. I just don't get the hate. This series is structured for the long haul. What did you haters want, everyone on Mars in episode 1? That would mean no depth to the characters and no connection with them. By episode 8 I have a much greater understanding of what drives Laz, Tom, Kayla, Keiko, Hannah and Nick. I now understand the incredible sacrifices they had to make in lost comrades, leaving family, personal scrutiny and political pressure.

    The story starts out with tragedy, the loss of the Providence I crew after a launch explosion. This serves as the impetus for our characters focusing all their efforts to push to make this dream a reality in the face of tragedy and staggering pressure from the media and politicians. They have to justify the loss of life and the cost of a mission that will exceed billions when there's so much need on Earth. Just as Kennedy did they inject their dream into the dreams of all mankind to push out and reach for the challenging and improbable to define the human experience as not just Earthly but Universal.

    All of this requires process. People needed to mourn the loss to ask why they died and is it worth it and should we be doing this at all anyway? To do less would be to dishonor their memories. but just as that process is required to honor the dead so is the perseverance to do what they set out and died for. Those that stepped into their shoes also need process in order to prepare themselves and their families for a journey that will take years, unlike the lunar missions that took days.

    Now that all that has happened the crew is on their way to the red planet and I for one am excited to see where their journey leads. Will they make it there safely? Will the MAV work? What will they find on Mars? Who is the telephone guy? Was he responsible for destruction of Providence I? Does he pose a threat to Providence II? Will he be caught?

    This show has a lot to offer and compared to other SciFi series like Battlestar Galactica or Star Trek: Discovery it's up to the task of carrying the Scifi torch. It may start out a little slow (9 not a 10) but it ramps up and it's well worth the time.

    To the haters, stop being so entitled to instant gratification. It's OK to work a little for your entertainment and perhaps even your enlightenment.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Most Discussed TV Season of 2018
86
#86 Most Shared TV Season of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 29
  3. Negative: 3 out of 29
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Richard Roeper
    Dec 14, 2018
    88
    This is an ambitious, bold, beautiful, occasionally trippy, big-picture sci-fi drama.
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  2. The Atlantic
    Reviewed by: Sophie Gilbert
    Sep 17, 2018
    60
    The scenes with Hagerty and Denise dominate the show to a disproportionate extent, and to the detriment of lots of other things The First wants to do. Penn is solid and stolid as Hagerty, conveying more depth in the scenes with his family than he does with his crew. What’s missing is a sense of why he wants so badly to be the first man on Mars. ... That said, when Hagerty and his crew finally make it into orbit, the series clicks into place.
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  3. RogerEbert.com
    Reviewed by: Nick Allen
    Sep 17, 2018
    70
    Enamored with its characters to a possible fault, The First is cut and paced like the roughly 368-minute director’s cut; you can imagine a two-hour film, probably with the same budget, that hits the same emotional beats and divides audiences like previous high-concept sci-fi stories like "Contact" did. As is, The First is a noble, ambitious series, but one that demands equally ambitious viewers.
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