I find myself agreeing with everything you said, with the exception:
Like many, I didn’t like Spine Launcher, even when on the rare occasions I did choose the Fetid Touch quest, I was glad to have my melee AA’s. Now I no longer have a choice, if I select Fetid Touch, I must make my AA’s ranged. I think the idea was, “well Fetid Touch is kinda a ranged ability quest, just combine the two low pick ranged talents.”
For all I know this might be right, I can see some potential for synergy with the quest and talent, I will have to test it more before I form a conclusion.