I can only guess the high ratings of this show came from people who never saw the movie. The Golden Compass. The movie was original, fun and wildly entertaining.
Unfortunately I find the TV show version. Long winded, dragged out and solely focused on the horrible parts of the story.
Currently I am on the third episode of the First season. Considering it has taken over 2 hours to explain what the movie did in 30 minutes. And the other 90 minutes has been nothing more than nastiness and cruelty of horrible people.
I find this show to be like many. Sensationalized and glorified nastiness of people. Which in turn takes the fun out of it entirely.