Yeah I've definitely had the same question since pretty early on. Tbh while what you're saying is plausible, I also feel like it's possible that the team working on it bit off more than they can chew.
It comes off as a show that just wants to harness that Trigger and Gainax energy in both writing and animation/art style but fails at both.
It definitely could have been great but fell short in my opinion. They'll likely have a massive twist at the end, leaving us mildly satisfied but nothing more. The "twist" from this episode was quite underwhelming.
Askeladd really steals the show in the later third of the first season. I've never personally watched the dub but his performance is wonderful in the sub (he's voiced by the VA for Uchiha Madara, who plays his role perfectly imo)