Yes! 301 really felt like an introduction to the characters, as did 101 (which was technically Tony's episode, but felt more like an ensemble). This is the problem with the episodes getting increasingly insular. I mean, now I kind of feel like once a character's episode is over, their whole story is done.

this episode didn't have a ~plot, but it was bright and shiny and ~action packed~ so everyone thinks it's great.

Totally agree. There were lots of moments that I thought were enjoyable but it just didn't really add up to much. Whereas last series it felt like a character's whole story was told in one episode, this one was the opposite and it felt like nothing progressed at all. And because it wasn't a proper introduction to the characters, it didn't even really set up any interesting dynamics.