Agree completely with your analysis. Ando has improved in expression, Kim was lackluster, Kostner was wonderful and Leonova attacked her program. Czisny was almost there. Flatt was disappointing - no fire - so slow. Poor Mao - I wish she would eat something.
In every sense of the word, Kim just didn't do well with mistakes in both her SP and LP. But beyond the obvious & visible mistakes, her performance showed a definite lack of refinement which are no less serious than the visible errors. The fact is, her PCS used to be head & shoulders above her competitors. Today, her PCS is barely higher than her competitors the point that even though she didn't get any negative GOE for doing a poor 3S+1T combo, her solo error on the Triple Flip was enough to erase her SP advantage over Ando and Ando's stepping out of her 2A combo. Ando had planned a 2A+3T combo, which was changed to a 2A+2T with stepping out, yet, she still beat Kim. That would not have happened last year or the year before.
Then again, if we were to believe some of the feverish Yu Na fans on internet, Yu Na doesn't mind her placement, she only skates for the enjoyment of her fans. Well, I am still trying to figure out what the tears were for then... But I am sure another very convenient excuse, uh...I mean "explanation" will again be furnished soon.
All of this is not unexpected. Many long time observers have cast doubts on Yu-Na's chances before the competition seeing how she practices. Official practices in a competition are meant to present your best skills and arsenals for the viewing of the people who will be judging you in the competition eventually. That is why for example, Joubert would only show off his jumps in those practices with no spins and no transitions. Why should he further show his weaker side to the judging panel who were watching closely even though it's not the actual competition? Yet, when it was pointed out that Yu-Na didn't do very well in those practices, many of the same Yu Na fans just went ballistic towards anyone who dare to say the Queen has regressed and that it's just a "practice". :sheesh:
Can't say this is an outcome that makes me sad however. You get what you deserve and you just can't expect to do no competition at all the whole season in Figure Skating and come to win the World Championship as though you are coming to pick up your Academy award.