I had no idea what to expect from this series, but I respect many of the actors in this cast and for that reason, I decided to give it a shot. How I love to be surprised with the discovery of something special. This series envelops you with the intimacy among these explorers and their families, their struggle to have it both ways--a life at home with all its awful daily challenges and a life untethered from that, among stars and planets. It is often a grind, the getting there, but we are inspired by each little step and revelation. Sean Penn is just perfect as a commander astronaut who is burdened with tragedy in his family and Natasha McElroy has never been better in her role as the visionary who struggles with being human. This is nothing like the typical astronaut films that focus on the men preparing for a flight, surrounded by a worried but supportive family then shooting themselves off to glory. It's about teamwork, relationships, and facing the awful stuff that can bring us down. I absolutely loved this series and watched it twice.
Review of The First
