I certainly felt like the pacing was strange. Was generally ok with the escorts.
I was so excited to see Garlemald... Don't get me wrong. I loved what I received. However, I felt like it just wasn't nearly enough and was very short lived and isolated.
Loved the Elpis surprise. Was sad that also felt as short as it did. I wanted to see/do more in the ancient world. (Holding out that in the future we get to explore more of that timeline.)
Felt like the scion's sacrifice on Ultima Thule was kinda.... meh. All was going well until they were brought back almost immediately after the last of them disappeared. How convenient. Felt like they could have held off on that for stronger impact. (Not that I would miss any of them. I'm actually glad that the WoL's story is moving past them and their clutches of seemingly endless errands.)

Overall, felt like it was an exciting and fun xpac. ShB had a smoother story imo.