The BCS example may not have been the best (since Walt never appears), but it is one of the few prequels that actually enhances the work instead of being terrible. We get a better understanding of the fictional world and just about every character outside of Walt’s family. Heck, it can reframe both shows as Jimmy McGill’s rise and fall through three key figures (Chuck McGill, Lalo Salamanca, and Walt).
I much preferred getting some actual answers on how the Empire rose and Anakin became Darth Vader.
As would I, but I’d prefer if episode order worked and we saw Anakin’s fall without knowing that he’s Vader. Give Obi-Wan a second (also fallen) pupil, maybe turn Vader into a name carried by multiple Sith apprentices, etc. there were ways to show Anakin’s fall while preserving the twists. However, by making the PT with the assumption that you’ve seen the OT, they aren’t nearly as enjoyable.
Heck, Yoda not appearing in the PT would be an excellent way to play with expectations of OT fans. Knowing who Yoda is makes his exile from the order more emotionally powerful. What could’ve happened to make the Jedi exile the wise Yoda? Well, look at Windu and the state of the order. Having other twists like that for a release order viewing would be fantastic, while preserving the validity of episode order.