There are comments saying "butchered the books" etc. Darn.. I've read them too, I love them too, but to be honest you're wrong.
God damn it... read the fricking description: "Based on the award-winning novels by Isaac Asimov(...)" it's not even adaptation. So don't expect it to follow the same story-line, don't expect the same characters, finally don't expect it to be reflection of the book.
Show is brilliant. I love it.
Visually stunning. It would have been impossible to be faithful to Asimov's novels. Because they cover a time span that lasts centuries, and because they were written in the 1950s, imagining things that today could have a steampunk flavor. So adaptations are welcome. The novels themselves were born on the basis of short stories and were anything but perfect. Only later were they appreciated. But just as the novels were innovative in their time, in the same way this TV series represents, in my opinion, the best that could be expected. The distortion of roles should not be displeasing. If a woman can play 007, I don't see why shouldn't be able to play Salvor Hardin. Those who loved Asimov's novels will only be surprised. Not disappointed.
I was hoping SyFy could continue their recent trend of awesome shows like 12 Monkeys, The Expanse and others. But this is just bad all around. Terrible writing, acting, pacing and stupid characters.