I will refrain from spoiling you any further (because I gather that seeing the show unspoiled or minimally-spoiled is a beautiful thing), except to say that I think you're going to get quite a few of the things you want. \o/

she makes mistakes but she's very young and in a very difficult situation and doesn't have many people and no wonder she can be emotional and impulsive.

Yeah, I like Eleanor because she's flawed and she fucks up and makes bad decisions, but in ways that I find very believable. Female characters don't often get to do that.

I want someone to punch John Silver in the face. I was told I'll probably end up liking him but I suspect that would take a long time.

This is exactly how a LOT of people feel about him at this point in the show.

I adore this recent post from someone watching S1 for the first time: http://andhumanslovedstories.tumblr.com/post/173440467916/how-john-silver-doesnt-exist-in-a-constant-state

though at this point I have more questions than anything else

I would be curious to know what your questions are at this point, even though I probably won't be able to answer them because spoilers. *g*