I played the new episode and map today, but i didn't get to spend much time outside of map completion.
The episode was solid, but lacked any shock value like the first two. The end left me a bit bitter. I've invested 2 years into these Living World characters, and when we started this adventure we were all on the same page. After what Caithe did before HoT, I've been pretty irritated with her to this day. I'll hand it to anet, they sure know how to punch you in the gut and then kick dirt in your eyes. Rytlock is probably the only character I feel i can completely trust. I think the player character his facing their own "Eir & Destiny's Edge" moment where everyone wants to do their own thing. Jory goes off with Lazarus, Rytlock is having to deal with Charr politics, Canach is trying to gain his freedom, and now the end of this ep... the only one thats done me any favors is Trehearne by dying.
The new map is large and follows a similar design to Ember Bay. There are only 2 WP. Right now the map has a serious scaling problem. Its not as event boss centered as EB is... there aren't any event chains, but rather fast cycling events that are in your best interest to keep succeeding at. I soloed one event where all the Son's of Svanir mobs scaled up to 81... with only me doing the event. WTF? The only reason i could complete it was because I was on my Guardian. My Ranger got melted against a group form what little I played. There is one event that scales so hard, its impossible to succeed at it and the fail event chain starts, which also scales like nuts, but is doable. I'll try to explore more tomorrow and get a better feel for the events on this map.