3/10 This is an extremely conflicting show, very similar to the sequels where it divides the fanbase into 2: those who loved it and those who hated it. I lie in neither camp, as I appreciated the ideas this show was tackling, and also found myself bothered by some of the decisions these characters made that were devoid of logic. This is a story full of interesting ideas, but executed poorly. But I do have to say there has never been a Star Wars story like this in canon, and there probably never will be, and for that, I appreciate this show. Starting off with the positives, like I said before, I really loved the ideas this show presented to us, the way the jedi were shown to be a vulnerable, incompetent, arrogant and corrupt organization, willing to let anyone be their leader as long as the had authority in the galaxy. The way Osha and Mae started out on different sides and how their roles eventually reversed, done in a very flawed but interesting way. I also loved the vibe of this show, which was the main thing I was looking forward to when this was announced, because we'd be seeing the time before the prequels for the first time ever in canon Star Wars, other than Tales of the Jedi. The fights were also very well choreographed, Episode 5 being the best episode mainly due to them delivering us one of the best lightsaber fights of all time, imo. I thought Lee Jung Jae was great as Sol, and Amanda Sternberg was good enough playing two different characters, and Manny Jacinto was rizzing me up the entire time, but the other actors were just decent enough. Going on to the negatives, spoilers ahead. The writers of this show really wanted to hammer home the ideas and themes they were trying to tell, and forgot to write a cohesive narrative that goes in line with the rest of the chronology. They seemed to have taken the "100 years before the prequels" for granted and did whatever they wanted. Although the finale did explain why the jedi didn't know about the sith returning, it also raised more questions as to how the jedi just forgot that Sol was in Coruscant training the younglings when Indara was murdered, and that is just one of the many examples of how this show bends the concept of logic. I was unable to relate to Osha or Mae the entire show, because their characters are defined by what happened in the past, so much so that it feels as though nothing happened during the 16 years of their lives. Osha is such a confusing character as well, like one moment she's eager to find out about Mae, and another she's ready to pack up and leave, and then she just kills who was essentially her father figure, just because the show wanted her to turn to the dark side. She knew exactly what kind of person Sol was, and she must have known he had an explanation for killing their mother, but no, they have to show us the very cool Kyber Crystal bleeding effect. I don't want to talk more about the negatives anymore. But this show certainly was a unique breath of...polluted air..in the Star Wars franchise, as we've never really had a story where the dark side were the main characters and all the good guys died. Well...apart from Order 66. And despite all the shitty writing the show had, I'm unironically looking for to Season 2, because I find the overall story and ideas really interesting. I just wish it was better executed.