Season 2 does not suck and Saji is not useless
Its just that season 1 is a bit more better in telling the story compared to season 2.
Next time when watching a mecha anime especially the real robot genre try to focus on the mechanics, functions and the reason of why the mecha have the certain ability to do so. While its agreeable that 0 Raiser can dock immediately its sensor function still needs to have a pilot to properly use it and to perform 00 raiser trans-am. I repeat 00 Raiser trans-am not 00 trans-am even with the 0 raiser attached to it. In case Haro is damage a pilot could easily replaces it, certain weapon of 00 raiser can only be activated by the pilot...
For me removing Saji story elements from the series will make the series boring, Saji is what makes me really like the series. He's sort of tragedy character who gets suck into the conflict and later plays a role in CB's fight against the innovator.
Wow, you really do understand the internal structure of the 00 gundam :shock:. You sure you arent Aeolia Schenberg? Hehe, kidding aside, you mentioned the 'tragedy character'. this sounds a whole lot like kira yamato of SEED.. except, kira does the fighting while in 00, saji is just a spectator in setsuna's battles. but hey, if saji is what makes you like the series, i have nothing against that.
As for Marina Ismail, yup, i agree. Outside of playing Setsuna's potential love interest and conscience, she has been utterly useless. However, the same could be said about Louise in season 1. Who knows, maybe Marina ends up piloting a gundam in the upcoming movie (yeah like that can happen..)