Admittedly the first episode is really rough and there are a good few cringy moments throughout, but the one star ratings are a bit overkill. Despite the difficult to palate introduction of the main characters, there clearly is a character arc being set up to make the main character more likeable. Even though i take some issue with how tropes regarding black/gay representation are handled, i think a lot of the extremely low ratings are a result of people really not wanting to see an overtly gay black man taking the place of an aryan youth poster boy. I can't count the number of times i've had less interesting shows recommended with the caveat of "give it half a season, it gets good." seems like many are too inflamed by the first episode of this show to even see where it goes, let alone finish the episode. Seems telling.
Review of Tom Swift
