Well...I dunno, if they were trying to cater to the audience that complains about things being too complicated, Tuesday's episode must have sent them up a wall.
I do remember hearing one of the writers for the show at NYCC last year say that they wanted to try and create a more serialized dynamic, and not as transparent a 'case of the week'. That in and of itself sounds more or less impossible given the nature of the series and how it's set up, though. But...if they can pull that off in some spots, like in the end run of a season like they did last season, where we had Vigilance make a grab in the penultimate episode and it led directly into the season finale, I think it can work.
I also think we have to try and remember that, if you take a step back, Team Machine is supposed to be overwhelmed. They're outnumbered, have less resources, have less tools at their disposal, and are being restrained because they're being hunted by Samaritan.
I for one quite enjoyed how they had an episode where we see where their private phone network came from so they stay off Samaritan's radar on phones. And then another episode where we see where they'll be getting funding for sometime, since Finch is no longer a Bajillionaire.
The first three seasons coming to Netflix will be great. I think they'll gain more viewership that way. I know a number of people who wouldn't give Arrow, for example, a chance until the first season came to Netflix and loved it. They missed out on season 2, since it was airing when they were streaming season 1, and are binge watching season 2 now so that they can catch up and watch season 3 that's only about two episodes in.
I think it'll be a good way to sell people who might be unconvinced because of the network it's on.