As some assumed beforehand, they seem to be trying to show atrocities on both sides, and the racist propaganda that was shoved down peoples' throats at the time. It seems to maintain a good balance though, but I assume it's going to be upsetting and off putting for the types of Americans' who choose to pretend their country did no wrong historically.
Once they got to Guadalcanal, it became quite tense, and they did a good job showing the confusion the Allies had when they arrived essentially without resistance. The first battle scene was properly intense and confusing, and I thought they did a good job shooting and presenting it. Hopefully it becomes easier to distinguish the characters with more episodes, but I imagine having to wait a week in between will make it a little rough. I can't really remember if you felt like you didn't recognize anyone in Band of Brothers at first or not. I think it's off to a good start, the episode felt like it was over far too soon. They're going a slightly different route than they did with Band of Brothers, but it still feels familiar.
On a personal note, it's one of those things, like Thin Red Line, where it's even more unsettling for me to watch since I understand what the Japanese soldiers are saying, makes it all seem that much more wrong. Regardless, I'm glad the less glamorous and camera friendly theater of the war is being shown in a series. I'm glad they're not pretending like the government sponsored de-humanizing racist propaganda didn't exist, and glad they're actually mentioning and showing the tremendous amount of casualties and losses America suffered in the Pacific.
