I was mentioning above to liadtbunny, I think part of the problem is that the Paternoster Gang are written (and possibly envisaged) as comedy side-kicks (Strax in particular) while their initial presentation was as Victorian detectives. I suspect in the writers minds they are therefore a natural conduit for miscellaneous jokes and slap-stick which then seems out of place to the audience.

I think I've rated it more highly on reviewing, though I don't hold out much hope for the next few episodes, though we'll see. The Child's interest was, I would say, fairly obviously slowing from the introduction of Clara, even though it was Clara who first hooked her interest in the show and Buffy, at the moment with its school setting, is definitely engaging her more.