Regarding Twilight’s growth and Celestia being seen in a bad light, there is some connection. Basically, Twilight spends the entire show from beginning to end dancing on Celestia’s strings, which is a rather conservative coming-of-age path. Indeed, Celestia doing all sorts of mysterious things “for Twilight’s good” never seems to backfire. All of this could be a powerful setup if it had had any kind of payoff, but as it is it comes off as unsatisfying.
On a more personal note… I wish I could find enthusiasm for G5 as I once did for G4. I’m not even sure if it’s any worse or if it’s just that I’m older and my life has changed. (I really hope not…)