The First (tv show about astronauts on the first Mars mission)

[kitik]

All 8 episodes of The First dropped on Hulu a few days ago.

It's set about 15 years in the future, about humanity's first mission to Mars, led by the private sector, but with government backing. First and foremost, it's about the NASA astronauts and their struggles, and what they'd be giving up for this mission. So don't expect 8 straight episodes of people floating around on spaceships and traipsing around Mars. But when they do show you some space and rocket stuff, it's spectacular. The production values on this show are readily apparent in quite a few scenes. It can be a beautiful show, and when they show you the NASA footage that we all so desperately want to see in real life, it absolutely works, and it's absolutely worth it.

The story's not bad either. Most everyone has their flaws and challenges and hurdles to overcome. And sometimes there are no easy answers. There are quite a few questions raised throughout the show about the cost of going to Mars. Not just monetary, but what you'd be willing to give up, and what you'd be forcing your loved ones to give up.

I'd definitely give it a thumbs up. (But give you all a fair warning that it's not going to be The Martian.)

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Once I learned that the show isn't about traveling to and exploring Mars (which, fair enough), I lost all interest. If the show is renewed and future seasons cover that territory, then I'll be interested and catch up.

 

[Gaith]

I found even the second half of The Martian dull, so count me out of an even duller eight hours than that. Guess I'm just a Red Planet kind of guy. (Hey, Ebert gave it three stars!)

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