You may be in the minority for overall evaluation, but I think everyone would agree on your penultimate two paragraphs. That's exactly what I'm hoping for, too.

I have nitpicks as well--they didn't spoil the show for me, but then my brain has a habit of quietly reworking the plot of shows I like via fanwank until there's something I can accept. It's currently CHOKING on the timeline issues, but I expect it to pass.