Very well said, this neatly sums up my experience of season 3 as well. :)

Joel lost my interest completely when he asked Midge to tell her parents about him walking out on her vs telling them himself. I know the dialogue might have been meant as banter but she did end up telling them (he didn't) and Joel remains a total coward to me, a soft and weak character. Him jumping up on stage at the Catskills was just too little, too late.