Just binge-watched this on the recommendation of a friend whose taste in tv shows I generally share. Then went back and watched first episode, and then it made much more sense as an introduction to the eight. Very much a slow burn as far as the plot goes, and I agree that the overarching mythology with Whispers and Angel still doesn't make much sense. This show was renewed for a second season but if it hadn't been, I would probably have felt that based on where it left off with the lack of resolution of Whispers (or even clear explanation), I would have not felt the twelve hours were well spent. That said, I give this show a 4/5, mostly because I like the cultural/sexual diversity of the characters and count that as a big plus.
I read some interview where someone connected to the show said something about science fiction typically not being big on character diversity, but I beg to differ. They may have been referring to science fiction today, with the emphasis on explosions and super powers and such, but the science fiction of my youth was always about pushing and challenging normative ideas about gender and race and sexuality, so that aspect of the show was actually old school and comforting in a way that all media today isn't all about mindless, empty entertainment.