Frankly I'm surprised to hear anyone say the show got better after season 1. I tried to give it a chance but it really felt like it lost it's compass in s2. It's cancellation didn't come as much of a surprise to me after that season tbh. The subplot with Jesse and her "mission" was just dumb and made my brain hurt. Even Stephanie Jacobsen's eye pleasing figure couldn't save that particular mess..
I honestly haven't seen any of the franchise other than a good portion of the original. Not even 2.
You missed out on a lot. Go watch 2. Now.