I actually think the characters are very consistent. The point is that who is a villain is a matter of perspective.
(Rhea is always a tyrant whenever she has power, the only time she isn't one is when she is a captive i.e. she has no power. For Edelgard, I think the key word there is <i>portrayed</i>, her behaviour is pretty darn similar regardless though, both the good and the bad.)
Two chapters from the end of CF Maddening here!
I have to strongly disagree, CF is an essential part of the game's experience. You can't really claim to understand Three Houses until you've played Crimson Flower and at least one other route; doing so is essential to understanding both Edelgard and Rhea who are arguably the two most important characters to the overall narrative.
My husband played Crimson Flower. It still reads like Fan Fic. The only good thing about the route was it made me actually kind of like Hubert in his supports.