I don't mind long-standing characters if they're interesting. The problem I have with the Scions is that, apart from a few personality traits like Urianger's archaic speech or G'raha's fanboying, they've all become rather samey. Sure half of them are grumps and the other half are annoyingly chipper, but we're surrounded by a bunch of PhD-carrying Sharlayan monks with a samey slurry of world peace-seeking college professor Jedi consular diplomat energy. There's a critical mass of "oh yes I concur, please pass the tea" and it's overdue a shake-up.