I'm not sure you can really call an issue a waste, in a serialized installment, until having seen and reviewed all issues of the, in this case, "mini-series." I'm not reprimanding or anything, and I'm not making a value of worth, so that should hopefully shut some people up (doubtful) - I'm just saying, until seeing what goes on in the final issues and how and what things are wrapped up, there's no grounds for calling it a waste of an issue in terms of story.
It might seem like a waste, but then, that's a whole different thing.