I get the feeling they rushed some of these scripts and then the characters make unrealistic moves. When they couldn't reach the morgue on the direct number, they didn't try another number? Plus, these "people" killed everyone in the building, then slipped out, naked, to somewhere else?

Exactly, this is the first episode where we see more than the insular view of Mapleton. There is something larger afoot, Kevin's feelings for his wife are all that are holding the town from running them out of town one way or another. if they turn her to the point where Kevin gives up on her, the ATFEC will take…

Why is Wayne special for his "blackness" but not the Mayor?

The dissembling about demographics is dumb. I never noticed and don't care. Would the story be different if Patty were black? Oh, the mayor is by the way, but I guess that's not important.

It doesn't matter what he said, Norrie would be mad and Melanie would be confused - or at least their facial expressions would be.

Great recap. The first paragraph is exactly how I feel when watching this show!