So I can't really contribute anything that hasn't already been said nor do I want to rehash all of my show gripes of late, but I'm glad you posted this. I have a feeling I could be trying to reconcile this season's characterization, explain the gross manufactured conflict, and justify the writers' substituting emotional manipulation for plot for eons and still never come to any decent or satisfying conclusions. Part of me wants to throw up my hand and just watch show casually from now on and part of me is insisting that there's still something there worth watching. I just started a S8 re-watch last night, so maybe a light bulb (or a million of them) will turn on and I'll feel better about everything. Or not. Or maybe I'll eventually be able to discuss S8 coherently without it devolving into ugly, frustrated emoticons.

TBH, (like Carver apparently *wink*) I'm having trouble keeping the laws of canon and canon details straight these days. And from reading here, it just occurred to me that perhaps it's not just a matter of my brain being too full but because canon no longer adheres to its own logic (ugh, Taxi Driver). Memorizing random, contradictory facts isn't my forte.