Yes, my optimism is based in the hope that we learn why they were off, and that much of the strangeness is explained. You bring up good points, but note that even if it can't be explained, the fact that they felt wrong is enough to hurt the story. If you have to think about it to justify them not breaking character, then the author either failed, or has something planned and wanted to call attention to it. If it turns out to be important, great, it will redeem this issue. The hardest parts of watching Rarity were the sweating, the cringing, clenching her eyes, and the unsteady voice. The whole last page didn't feel right. Her pose was beyond awkward, and being tied up wasn't necessary. Since it is a new writer, it is more challenging to give the benefit of the doubt. If we had seen great characterization of the mane 6 and THEN this issue, it would be intriguing, rather than confusing.