At the end of the day essences are not a requirement to clear the content, only a benefit. DR is classed as casual content and the devs aren't going to alienate groups of players if they don't have essences/lost actions etc for the run.

The worse thing about the content is players afking or doing the bare minimal (not lost action related) and you can't even dismiss them from the duty or replace them, there is no leaver penalty either so it encourages bad behaviour. Granted you shouldn't have to stay in a run of you feel it wastes your time, but it really should have the same leaver rules as any other duty regardless.