If you assume that Joss is trying to do X, and see that he's doing A Very Bad Job at X, it's easier to challenge the assumption that he's trying to do X than to conclude that his writing just fails on this point.

I think this may be the problem. Because I'm NOT assuming Joss is trying to do X. I couldn't even begin to guess what Joss is trying to do. I'm saying I want to see X, and Joss isn't delivering it, therefore I don't like it.