I’m probably in the minority here but I actually prefer this to what we got completely. It feels like a natural progression from the Original Trilogy. I especially love the underworld and crime syndicates trying to undermine the New Republic to gain control. I was a bit unsure about Darth Maul at first but I like it a lot the more I think about it as he’s no longer a Sith. It doesn’t undermine Anakin’s legacy but adds to it with having Leia be the “Chosen One” elected Supreme Chancellor. I don’t think he meant it literally but it makes sense that Anakin’s children and grandchildren are the ones to restore the New Republic. It calls back beautifully to Padme in The Phantom Menace giving away democracy to Palpatine and ends with her daughter being elected where she was wrong. Plus Luke rebuilds the Jedi Order!

I’m very curious how the grandchildren and Whills figured into the story. At the very least it seems to be implied we have Luke training his niece and his nephew being corrupted to join Darth Talon and Darth Maul’s Sith Crime Syndicate. As well as the Whills would’ve at least seemed to have given us answers to Anakin’s origins as George talked to StarWars.com about.

So all and all, I prefer this story. It respects what came before while giving us something new and exciting with crime syndicates and the Whills.