Except that the progression is never seen, Saint was dead so any progression there could be would be limited to the past 4 years. The relationship is forced, which, no matter a persons stance, is just not a good story.

Well I understand that, but they did actually retcon it because it was already established, and they overwrote a whole period in the Last City's history. It wasn't just a story development, they actually went back and altered the story in that part.