11.22.63

This ambitious adaptation of Stephen King's novel sets out to achieve a lot in only eight episodes. And in the end it does, thanks to solid acting and some incredibly convenient plot points. The story’s semi-preposterous rules for time travel aren’t big selling points (among them, the portal takes you to the exact same spot at the exact same time -- Oct. 21, 1960, at precisely 11:58 a.m. – every single time you enter it). But Franco's convincing performance somehow makes it all seem strangely plausible, and clever touches from director J.J. Abrams (such as a Nixon campaign sign that reads, “They can’t lick our Dick!”) help add some much-needed comic relief to the story's dark, weighty themes.

Hulu has produced original series before but never on this scale, and, at least thematically, the result feels a lot like the love child of Back to the Future, Quantum Leap, and Groundhog Day. It's too bad then that 11.22.63 never quite reaches their level of collective excellence. But it's entertaining enough to keep you watching and see what happens next.