Two quick thoughts. During my initial viewing, I felt the lack of any political exposition, considering how important it was to the prequels’ story. Not saying I wanted a ton, but I did want a bit more than we got. Just the basics of the history or basis for the First Order and Resistance. As the first follow-up to the story since ROTJ, it’s an elephant in the room to go so far to avoid any and all political stuff.
Also, it just seems like Kylo Ren let Rey beat him. No, it’s like Adam Driver just let Daisy Ridley arm wrestle him into shorting out the saber. Just subjective on my part; the momentum of the scene gets you to root for Rey so you don’t really mind if her victory isn’t totally believable.