I'm going to point out something I thought should be obvious: Just because someone lights a match doesn't mean you have to provide the tinder. The same people I see complain about topics getting derailed are equally responsible by replying to the post(s) in question and perpetuating a discussion that might've otherwise been dead in the water had they ignored it.

Given the culprit is more often than not involving Venat/Hydaelyn, keeping one of the threads criticizing her character active might be more beneficial, especially as any newcomers would be drawn to it and the people sick of the discussion can avoid it. I wasn't a fan of the 'joining Emet' thread being the survivor of them, I'd much rather see On Venat's Role in the Story or [Spoilers] Venat's motive perpetuated as both OPs are thoughtful and detailed. I would've bumped one myself, but it would've been obvious and I don't have much to add on the topic at the moment (and if I do it's usually in response to another thread).