When fans have to look so deeply for meaning into what has been written, I think that's a problem. You can't keep everyone happy. Pick a thought and stick to it. The overarching theme of this season is war causing dissension, and not necessarily by the methods we immediately jump to when we usually think of war. So in my opinion, if you are going to tell a story about an emotional war, make it compelling. Make the stakes high. The way Katrina and Ichabod have been portrayed this season does not make the stakes high. For example, having Katrina gone from team witness should not feel like "FINALLY!" And there's no stakes for me as a viewer with Ichabod's inner turmoil because they have bastardized all the rational out of his character. A nuanced character made one note. He might be "enchanted"? Well drop a few more hints in that direction so he doesn't come off as some love addled fool. Or tone deaf to the world and people around him.
This season too has mostly had Abbie reacting to things. ...Except for the things that would be important to her overall growth as a character. Purgatory? Drowning? I know she's one focused person but she isn't a machine. Not to mention she's the strategist. It makes no sense to me as a viewer that in 8 episodes she hasn't tried to work out a plan of offense rather than defense, with or without Ichabod.
The lack of Jenny and Irving is more than annoying at this point. It's willfully ignorant on the writer's part. Two very intriguing storylines dropped. Two storylines that could have seamlessly been integrated a lot sooner than episode 9 into the emotional war theme they appear to be going for.
And last, I do not need a jealousy subplot with Abbie and Ichabod. Just please. Get your overarching theme right before you throw that crap complication in.