I totally agree with your first tier, but I'd switch Kaylee and Simon. Kaylee drives me crazy. And I like Ron Glass, but Joss's attempts to write a Christian show so painfully that he really doesn't get it at all that Book just doesn't work.

The show itself I thought was a little too clever for its own good, extraordinarily problematic at times, and revealed Joss' painful weakness with world-building.

I agree with this entire statement. I like the show overall more than you do, but I can't argue with anything you say here!