Quick follow-up regarding patch 5 and the SA issue. In brief: it's good. I'd only suggest reading below if you don't plan to play through it, because Dave really nails the performance.

When you question his version of events, he admits that time may have distorted his view. I can relate to this: I have traumatic events from 30-40 years ago that I've mentally swept under the rug and act like they are funny anecdotes. When Tav tells him that's messed up, he agrees he should reflect on what it really means. I like that there is no instant fix, because healing just doesn't happen like that.

If you explore some of the dialogue options via save scumming, it covers his emotional state in recent times -- the loneliness and isolation. To me, it does a good job justifying why he essentially attaches himself to this bunch of weirdos.

People who don't care for Halsin will probably never learn these things, but IMO it gives him an emotional story arc between his original state of self blame and second-guessing his decisions to the more comfortable Halsin we see in the epilogue.

Of course I want more of Daddy Halsin, but I feel very positive about the changes they mode in response to criticisms. We may just have to wait until BG4 to get a chance to see Halsin, Astarion and Arabella again.