10 Most Disappointing TV Shows Of 2018

7. The First

Sean Penn The First
Hulu

After a decade of misfires and controversies, it felt like a turn to prestige TV could be just what was needed for Sean Penn's career. With Hulu's backing and House of Cards' Beau Willimon creating the series, The First should have been the beginning of the Pennaissance.

Instead, the actor's stagnation continued in this plodding series about a manned mission to Mars. There's something exciting about the premise, with the promise of going into the unknown and the dangers and adventure that come with it.

The First, however, decides to focus more on the family drama in the life of Tom Hagerty (Penn), rather than the drive to go to space and the difficulties and wonders within. It's here that it's in overly familiar territory, the sorts of familial issues we've seen countless times with little new to say. Penn himself is good, if not spectacular in the way that would truly give his career liftoff again, but it's the show's poor choice of which aspect to focus on that results in its failure to launch.

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Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.