What I loved about Season 1

Was the characterization (both the writing and the acting throughout). They were able to write realistic characters, with consistent motivation (without really throwing the motivation in your face. And the best part is just about all the characters are deeply flawed, horrible people that are also relatable. Whether it is the passive racism of Felicity Huffman's character, the zealotry of Regina King's character (I love it when she comes to the realization that she shouldn't be treating her brother as a "cause" then immediately pivots to organizing a rally for him), to Timothy Hutton's weakling attempts to use everyone around him to Benito Martinez character's bad parenting style (thinking he relates to his kids when he completely misunderstands what is going on with them-any parent of a teenager will understand him completely). The only "good" people in the season are Penelope Ann Miller who despite some bickering goes into the mode of protecting and helping her wounded child and the Gutierrez daughter who while being a typical teenager has her priorities straight (trying to help her brother and recognizing that her father needs to reestablish his relationship with Tony). The rest of the characters really act horribly and given the traumatic events that bring them all together makes their actions seem realistic. Great writing I say, making me empathize with characters acting ugly.