Usually when I look over people's reviews, I tend to ignore the 1 star and 5 star reviews as rarely are those review authentic, but in this case I struggle to want to give this show anything higher then a 1 star.
Ignoring whether or not Disney has a woke agenda or not. I don't care. I only care about whether I am enjoying a good quality show, and sadly I that has not been the case.
Everyone is free to express their opinions, but man I can not understand the 4/5 star ratings from people referred to as "life long" fans. I have my doubts.
I've been looking forward to a high republic and old republic show, and I had high hopes. They have so much room to tell whatever stories they want, much like that have been doing with the Mandalorian. This has not been the case,
In short, the story is weak. As others have noted, I am not understanding why characters are mad, then suddenly not mad, then mad again. I don't understand how some Jedi die so easily, and others survive. The first episode started off very strong, but I agree with the complaints about why the Jedi seem to refuse to use their lightsabers, but the first fight was pretty fun to watch. I know they are to defend not attack, but they are really stretching that logic to a point where it is boring.
I also don't understand how after the death of several Jedi and the infiltration of a satellite temple doesn't get the attention of the council. To brush it off as a team of Jedi simply died due to how remote and uncharted the planet is as a the reason for over half a dozen Jedi to die either means they were terrible Jedi, or the ones in the temple are really dumb.
The show does have its stronger points, such as visuals. The acting I agree could be better, but the story is killing the show. The major conflict which many fans are agreeing on is why is there Sith when the sith have been extinct for a millennium?
If I helped with the script I would have focused on short term missions. Say a band of smugglers broken up by the Jedi, or warlord of a outer rim planet that later joins the republic because the Jedi save the day. All the while I would use the sith, but in the background. Stirring conflicts in an attempt to destroy the republic, but each time failing. If they want to do many season, continue the series till we get to Darth Plagueis the wise and how he fails to destory the Jedi. Then finish with showing the rise of a young Sidious and how he believes the best way to destroy the Jedi is from within by becoming a senator.
Sigh. It sucks when these shows have the money to do great things, but road blocks are put up that kill good story telling.