I think the fact that his "dark time" only lasted 2 episodes before everything goes back to normal is kinda lame. It's basically his biggest struggle, and it lasts for maybe a month of in-universe time, in a show which spans 4 years. Development? I mean, sure, he can see he was wrong. Wow. His connection with animals is cool for Star Wars, but let's be honest, that is so generic Disney. Almost every Disney princess has a pet animal (and Disney princesses are the main characters of the story, just like Ezra is the main character of Star Wars Rebels).

His sacrifice is far less sacrificial than Kanan's. Kanan died, and he knew he would, because of the Force, and logic. Ezra survived, and he knew he would, because of the Force. His plan was to take Thrawn away. An equal sacrifice to Kanan's would be if he took the Star Destroyers away from Lothal, and then destroyed them- while being on the Star Destroyers. Then he would die, planned and willingly, just like Kanan. I agree he loves his family, which is touching, but I think that's just because he doesn't want to be alone like he was when he was a street orphan. I do want to continue his story in hopes he becomes less traditional Disney.