To be fair, we'll probably find a permanent solution to the tadpole thing at the end of act 1. I don't see the game dragging its feet with that particular plot device all the way into act 2 as the story veers towards the topic of the Absolute itself, or else it's going to get REALLY old quickly. Then again, maybe I'm trying to be too optimistic.
The other companions could be improved if they actually had more meaningful party banter, or did more to actually interact with the world in general. Some of WotR's companions were often seen moving around the hub areas of each chapter based on the time of day or their personal quests, and were clearly doing other things besides waiting for your orders. BG3's companions aren't really in a position to do anything similar yet, but one would think they would at least spruce up the camp a bit more.
Gale, for instance, could stand to actually share his intellect with the party during combat. Suddenly, it blunts the perception that he's kind of a selfish egomaniac. Maybe BG3 could incorporate some combat banter for this, with Gale providing his thoughts on what he thinks of certain enemy types that you face. Wyll would probably have lots to say about goblins, but would be mostly clueless about much else, which would subtly betray the fact that he's probably not as good as he thinks he is.
