I think Kesey makes a fair point. G'raha abandoned the people in the alternate timeline and parted ways with those on the First just so he could spend time with the Warrior of Darkness and go off on an adventure. Which is really strange, since we already had no shortage of companions who could fulfill that role if and when we had some breathing room in the story. Remember Skalla? When Alphinaud and Arenvald went off on an adventure together? That was fun!

I can't help but find the timing of Arenvald's return odd, though. The same character who went on an adventure last just so happens to be on the chopping block. He's either going to die or be out of commission due to injuries for a while. How convenient, eh?

Intentionally or not, G'raha just comes off as a creepy narcissist who, much like Zenos, obsesses over the Warrior of Darkness. Some people are fine with that, others aren't - including myself. It remains to be seen if he's brought to heel.

Haurchefant was outright creepy in the Japanese version of the game. In the English version, he's toned down - but it's still clear that to some degree, his decision to sacrifice himself for the Warrior of Darkness was brought about due to his crush rather than purely noble factors. Furthermore, the friendship that existed between them lasted...a few weeks or months given how tight the game's timeline happens to be.

Alisae has what is meant to be an innocent crush on the Warrior of Darkness. I guess that's fine, so long as it isn't returned given that she's underage.

Aymeric...gradually morphed into Haurchefant 2.0, no doubt to appease his fans somewhat. I'm indifferent to him, personally. The Warrior of Darkness did save Ishgard, though I don't care much for hero worship myself.