Playing an expansion as current content has been a lacklustre MMO experience

[Iscah]

No, but most of Heavensward and Stormblood are considered filler MSQ outside of the Hydaelyn Arc itself (I understand there's some sprinkled between and it's world lore, my wishlist was an extreme, have you no imagination!?).

I'm not saying anything in particular is horrible, but my make-believe wishlist for MSQ as a whole is in regards to how linear it is for such long hours. It would be amazing if I had the OPTION to go do some Hydaelyn MSQ, then leave and go do some Stormblood stuff. Everything as it's currently designed encourages a week long linear rush of MSQ each expac then a whole lotta nothing. It's not sustainable, and I'm really afraid that 7.0 is going to be more of the same just pushing us further and further away from the shore. Nobody playing back in ARR-HW thought it'd get this bad, but here we are now.

"Considered filler" by who? And does it really apply to both? On the occasions that I've seen people unhappy with it, it's usually directed at Stormblood specifically.

And if you want to pursue multiple storylines at once, why does it need to be "the Hydaelyn arc versus Stormblood"? Additional story threads exist, in the form of the various trial and raid plotlines. You can be working through Stormblood and switch back to the Warring Triad or Alexander, which essentially are important but not time-critical elements of the Hydaelyn arc.

Also, "fearing for 7.0" before we get there seems unnecessary. They seem to be angling for it to be a new late entry point for the story, which is unlikely to be self-contained away from the rest of the plot but could potentially offer a free story skip as part of the purchase.