It was nice to be watching episodes and trying to puzzle out what each hero brought to the game.

Yeah, I enjoyed that too. I had particular fun with Peter's power - guessing its exact parameters.

I'd have liked a firmer reason from the conspirators than the vague notion that doing it would make the future better.

I do agree with you but... I'm hard pushed to think of a series that managed it other than by having the bad guys be demons (The Lost Room is about the only exception).

Christopher Eccleston was good value too - why did we never see him again?

I wanted him back too. I guess he wasn't available again; it's not like they killed him.