1) I didn't find Cleopatra annoying, so that may have helped.
2) I liked the switch to more epic storytelling. I loved the smaller tone of the first season, but the the second season tried to be different by being larger and more about the big picture and I loved that just as much.
3) In the end it's like choosing between whether I want a 99.9 or a 99.89 on a paper, that's how close they are, but I prefer the second season by a small bit.