Actually I don't think they wasted the life and death situation. It wasn't put in for the clash of values track. It was deliberately put in for this track. Up until the point where she was almost dead he was adamant that The Raghav Rao will not change. It was an emotional impulsively made decision to become Pallavi's Raghav. Because this is what he thought will bring back his love. He begged her on his knees saying that he will become whatever she wants if she wakes up. He made a change he wasn't mentally or emotionally ready for. Then his other crutch alcohol was also taken away. He lost himself trying to change for the woman that is his life. Unlike how some people in this forum feel he is not still in love with Esha. He only fell for her manipulation and went crazy at the press conference because she hit upon his inner conflict at losing his The Raghav Rao persona. This is his armor, protection, what allowed him to survive all the taunts and insults he has gone thru. This track is for him to find a balance in his personality so that he does not lose himself. Hopefully they tone down the cringe. The problem with the hug with Esha was that his awkwardness was lost because they prolonged it because they needed it for the Sunny scene. Look at the difference in the hugs between him and the 2 women. Let's see what happens next. I feel we should let them tell their story. The hiding things from Pallavi because he feels the axe will finally fall and she will leave him is consistent. In that aspect it is completely in character. This is just my opinion on this track, I am not trying to offend or dispute how anyone perceives the track.
I agree bigger changes came by in his life all of a sudden. Changes weren't gradual and adaption takes time. Settling down to those adaptive life strategies needs internalisation. How long it has been that Pallavi and Raghav got married? Usually couples evolve throughout their years of togetherness. And here he needed to unload a lot of baggage before he could even enjoy the bliss. It's a tiresome process and journey.
Had Raghav's love realisation for Pallavi an overnight thing, I wouldn't have rooted for what they share. But their journey was beautiful and blended to bring them together. Raghav loves Pallavi and that's his truth. She tamed the beast inside him. But that beast was still lingering inside him. That beast roars the moment his ego is inflated. Esha fed that beast on Saturday and it raised its ugly head.
Love makes you a better version of yourself as they say. However the fact is, while Esha can feed, Pallavi can tame only he can kill that beast to be the gold that he now aspires to be for the sake of Pallavi. For that, he will have to confront it. Address his insecurities, let go of his past wounds, have faith in themselves and be the torch bearer to uphold this relationship. That's when he will find the balance.