What's the point with that quite lackluster story in Endwalker?

[Kyohei]

Nonetheless, they don't shy away from calling him a "villain" etc. in interviews, even as they claim it's down to perspective (i.e. who is "right" is down to whose side stands to benefit etc.) so if she's meant to be judged in the same light as SHB Emet, would they refer to her as such as well? There's a disconnect in a lot of what is said, both with Emet-Selch and Elidibus, and how the characters themselves behave after, as well as the degree of pushback they get - Venat/Hydaelyn gets next to none. With Emet-Selch, quite understandably all the Scions stand against him, and with Elidibus you're even repeating some of Emet's lines. Whereas with her, there's just this tacit acceptance of everything she's said and done - I guess because they weren't the ones directly impacted by it, and Emet apparently had already resigned himself to passing on by Ultima Thule.

Overall, nearly everything about it annoyed me, including the lack of curiosity in our character about their ancient self, plus the persistent vacant stares when addressed by Emet-Selch and Hyth (although at least there's an apology to Elidibus), as well as Y'shtola's brain going AWOL.

Pretty much. The lack of option to voice different opinions (even though it ofc doesn't impact the story) for our character, and the lack of meaningful actions/reactions when needed are what made it quite unbearable to go through.
And despite everything that was said and thought Emet-Selch *whose death is welcomed in ShB* is still depicted as the villain while Venat *whose death is mourned* is a hero and has a minion that makes sure you know it.

[jameseoakes]

Pretty much. The lack of option to voice different opinions (even though it ofc doesn't impact the story) for our character, and the lack of meaningful actions/reactions when needed are what made it quite unbearable to go through.
And despite everything that was said and thought Emet-Selch *whose death is welcomed in ShB* is still depicted as the villain while Venat *whose death is mourned* is a hero and has a minion that makes sure you know it.

I don't think it helps that the story spent a lot of time building the idea that Hydaelyn loved the peoples of the source and the the reflection and pushed that in the dialogue hard and then when it comes to Venat they don't really show her having any strong feelings for the people she made only being interested in them as a means to prove her ideology right

[Kyohei]

That's a good point, now that you say it she did seem a bit cold and distant when we get to meet her again in Aitiascope.
She was ready to give up on all the other reflections to save the Source only too, kind of akin to saving your eldest child while letting the others drown...sure doesn't feel right.