I don't know, I kind of like the metaphysics. =) But you're right, most of what needed to be said was said in Blade Runner, which was a masterpiece in and of itself. And GITS riffs straight off of Blade Runner in a lot of places. Even so, GITS (the original movie which started this) was very very good in and of itself. (I'm afraid I can't be as charitable towards GITS2: Innocence.) And the first season I reviewed elsewhere. ^^ The nice thing about the series is that it can explore that metaphysics more, it can do more with it in different permutations. And it can provide occasional comedy in between the catharsis. ("We're tanks! That makes those helicopters our natural enemies!" "Oooooooooooh....")

Beyond that... I dont know, Shirow does very good SF cheesecake, but with the Major it just gives a kind of odd feeling! (^_^)