Subjectivity and all that, for sure. However, it seems that you haven't been with Piper & Paul on their journey from the very beginning. So, you don't appear to get all of the nuances, the beautiful connection, the intention, the emotion, and the spirit of their partnership dance through the years. Your loss, if that's the case. This program is the touching culmination of everything they have given to us and to each other. It's not grand, self-important or overly self-reflective, but it is lovely and creative. It certainly references their recent FDs, in a good, emotional and relevant way. It's not a 'rehash,' as you say you 'feared.' But then maybe you missed what the other programs are about as well.
You are correct, I haven't followed Piper and Paul from the beginning, so perhaps I am missing some nuances. However, I feel that it shouldn't be necessary to be familiar with a skater or team's entire back catalogue to enjoy or understand their current programs.You may not feel 'freshness' from this FD, as you say. I'm not sure what kind of 'freshness' you are seeking though. [BTW, Kaitlyn Weaver, in her commentating role, described this FD as both 'familiar and fresh.' So I guess Kaitlyn disagrees with you there ] For me, P&P are as creative, quirky and interesting as always. Nothing they have ever created has been stale. Their journey isn't just starting and their bodies aren't young anymore. But their minds and their hearts are as fresh, stimulating, delightful, clever, and expressive as always. If you don't get it, you don't get it. And that's okay.
ETA:
I'm also not sure what you mean by the program 'not exciting you.' What were you expecting? Do programs always have to be 'exciting'? I find it altogether stimulating and expressive, in the way the rendition is sung, in the choreography, and in P&P's poignant performance (which is lovely and evocative of their partnership dance over the years).
Perhaps 'excites' was the wrong word to pick, I meant that the program didn't immediately provoke any big reaction in me. It clearly did for you, which is wonderful; I'm sure I see and feel things in my favourites' programs that others do not necessarily see/feel, which is partly why figure skating is such a subjective sport, and this is okay. For me, their FD was well choreographed, it was pretty, expressive and well skated but it did not particularly move me or make me immediately want to watch it again. But, this was their first competition of the season, the program may well grow on me, and perhaps, with better camera work, some of the details and nuances will be more obvious.
I was worried it might be a rehash when I heard they were using another emotional ballad, covered by the same musician who created their version of Vincent. However, as you say, while this FD does reference the others, it is not just a 2.0 of either of their previous two FDs and I am pleased about this. They have done very innovative before and were not rewarded, they've now found a style that works (for them and for the judges) and are sticking to it for what I'm guessing is their final season, which is a smart decision.