@Mjmcg If you set it up as a mesh, it will take all the settings from the main one and duplicate it on the extender.  There will be nothing you can change on the extender itself.

  @DVair 

I started from scratch and ran the mesh setup again this time leaning both frequencies ssid unhidden so it could connect... But upon enabling ssid hide on the router, it doesn't pick up that seeing at the range extender. The re just broadcasts it anyway. I don't want it to. I want my ssid hidden and there seems to be no way to do it since the re just blabbers it out there anyway.

  @Mjmcg Hiding the SSID is no longer the norm, it is broadcast anyways so most people don't bother with the hiding.

  @DVair  I get it maybe not be the "norm" anymore but that's not valid reasoning when the option is clearly available and I have a specific reason to want it hidden. I have just removed the RE from the mix and since the router allows me to hide it I'm just going with that and living with the weaker signal at the other end of the house. 

Problem solved.

TP Link is full of baloney when they say the RE will copy the routers settings. No, it clearly doesn't. And judging my the number of other posts about the very same topic I'd venture a guess they care if they remedy it or not.

  @Mjmcg I would get on the Live Chat in Support to let them know.  I have used it a couple of times and they were helpful.