I started re-watching today (of course), and while I agree Season 1 takes time to establish the world and all, I'd forgotten how much of the end they telegraphed. They were greatly advantaged by having planned out the entire 3 season arc before they started the show, and it shows.
And while I always saw Season 1 as the most childish, and it is, I'd forgotten how quickly subjects like war, the death of parents, and genocide get introduced.