The actors (except, imo, Kerry Washington) did a great job but were unable to save the show from its writing. Halfway through the season, I pretty much hated every character except Pearl.
Mia just came off as sanctimonious and treated every white character as if they had offended her by simply existing. In contrast, Brian raised meaningful questions about prejudice and the importance of his identity as a black man, but why is a peripheral opinion given more depth than a lead? The show failed to give racial discrimination (and identity) the nuances/complexity it needs to be realistic.
Little Fires Everywhere is an entertaining soap opera but delivers little meaningful social commentary.