I’m kind of miffed as to how the episode order factors in to criticism. Given the licensing and marketing costs along with FX’s recent history of giving just about every show a renewal (hell if “Tyrant” can last for like three seasons..), there should be no concern about whether it’ll be renewed. So both Hawley and the viewer should play the long game, anticipating that by E8, we may not have a traditional S1 finale with a cliffhanger to draw is back for Season 2. It’s just as likely that this season ends somewhat abruptly, with the short season order acting almost as a general prologue before entering the action proper.