There are many problems in this episode which linger throughout the show. Unllikable new characters, severly damaged old characters, breakneck pasing, poorly filmed/choreograft fightscenes, and extensive modernisms.
The writers didn't seem to understand the history of either the world or the characters. Fans of the original movie or the books will most likelly not recognize the world portrayed in this show, whist new watchers will be lost due to not having the history and lore explained to them properly.
When it comes to characters, I fear few people will sympathise with many of them. Kit is a spoiled, vain brat who can stand anything not going her way. Her best friend, Sorsha, her mother, is stalward in her naivety, refusing to let the prophesized magic child train in order to destroy the forces of darkness. Many other characters possess equally infuriating faults. Meanwhile, almost all the dialogue of these characters is unfitting fot the setting they're in.
The only character that didn't feel either out of place, or unlikable was Jorgen Kase, the virtuous, brave old knight. He is one of two characters in this show that doesn't have a distinct "modern" feel to his dialogue.
In short, Willow S.1 E.1 is a concerning start to a show.