I would say, taking 5 episodes to lay the background is just too much. From my perspective, these returnees has not even done anything yet. It almost became some woke soap tv-show.
Finally the ancient returnee can understand that outside might not be made for them. This approach is different from the original, and more realistic. Abused people can also want the to be abused, if that is all they know.
Rev should take it slow. Belief is the highest drug in existence. It makes you do many things (can be good or bad). This rev understands brainwash, and control. That much power is dangerous. This rev is like that pastor returnee from the manifest.
I would say, though I can understand the behavior and personality of each characters. I can even predict each character's stand in situations, but this should only apply if the series is very long. From my perspective, ep 1-5 is one episode. Episode 6 is the real episode 2.
Now the wokeness is finally fading as I just want to believe that it is necessary to set the background. One woke thing in this episode is that men are not allowed to be weak, and guys are not portrayed to have emotional challenges in tv well enough.
From last episode, we have been visiting the past. I love the dynamics and change of scenery.