Yes this is a reactive rating.
1 - I absolutely hate long multi-episode story arcs. This trend has gotten worse in recent years which is why I stopped watching many shows that I absolutely loved through 1 or 2 seasons. Two episodes for a story arc, or three at most are OK, but this one is going through more than half the season and I have no doubt will cliffhang into the next season. (That's a guess, not knowledge.)
2 - I loved this show because it was funny, quirky and lighthearted and rarely takes itself seriously. This season has gone down hill with those traits almost disappearing. Again, it is made worse by the long story arc. One or two dark stories are acceptable when the balance remains what this show started out as.
3 - Steve. Everything I said in #2 is multiplied exponentially in this episode. Perhaps they will find some way to negate this, but that's using cheap writer's tricks. Again I don't know, just guessing.
4 - Torture. Not as much in this episode, but both sides are using it and certainly the threats against Emily are extremely cruel.
5 - Claudia's phone. Seriously? Claudia? Wrong.
6 - Myka is now dead because that rock crushed her head. No? That rock would have crushed her head. She's still standing and running only a few minutes later.
7 - If you didn't figure out what Steve was doing, well, it was obvious. You don't burn a guy as bad as Regents did him and not expect him to turn. Compare that to what they did for Helena who did far far worse than Steve.
I used to LOVE this show. Why do the writers have to ruin shows like this?
I used to LOVE this show. Why do the writers have to ruin shows like this?