While I think Ben Stokes is a stand-out character, and Thayer David a brilliant actor, the absence of John Karlen throughout the entire 1795 storyline makes it less than thrilling for me.... 
I agree John's absence was sorely missed (he would have been ideal for the role of Nathan's partner-in-crime Noah Gifford though Craig Slocum did a fine job) but it doesn't spoil my enjoyment of 1795. I do agree that the witchcraft trial could at times be a trial to watch but all in all I found 1795 to be a great storyline.
Part of the reason I really like the time-travelling stories it gave the actors other roles to play and show their versitility.
I mean Judith, Flora and Naomi were totally different from Elizabeth, as was Millicent, Charity, PT Carolyn, Melanie and Leticia from RT Carolyn.....Carl, Desmond, Kendrick and PT Will Loomis from the RT Willie, etc.
I like the present time stories but I just adore all the back-in-time stories so much.