According to CNN, Hulu series “The First” looks better on paper than it does on air. The show is produced by “House of Cards” creator Beau Willimon. And it stars actors Sean Penn and Natascha McElhone. The series tells the story of wanting to take a journey to Mars but facing setbacks to its realization. Yet “The First” does a good job at being realistic about space travel, contemplating its costs and politics.