To Aru Kagaku no Railgun - 01

I haven't seen To Aru Majutsu no Index (A Certain Magical Index), the show off of which To Aru Kagaku no Railgun (A Certain Scientific Rail Gun) is spun. In fact, I had never even heard of it. I was just interested by the title, because I'm a huge physics geek, and rail guns turn me on. The premise and setting were interesting, and the characters were likable enough, but some of the anime conventions the show followed held it back for me.