I'm glad to see there is a nice discussion here, I'm used to the shitstorm of steam. A few more comments-
Astarion is quite awesome. I don't know whether they made him intentionally gay or if they were just trying to create a flamboyant cool dude. Either way he is very cool and I really like him. Still think he is closer to good than evil.
About Shadowheart - I stand by what I said. She might be super choutic evil in disguise, but I highly doubt it. From here on out SPOILERS:
After she reveals her allegiance to Shar you can try to probe her a bit more and she reveals that her relationship with Shar is like a mother and a daughter. Moreover she says Shar was there for her when no one else was. Sounds to me like the beginning of and independence arc for her.
