When I talk about tma seasons and which I like the most and which I like the least I talk strictly about statements.
I’m probably only one but I don’t really count the meta narrative as part of the season. It’s just framing device. It’s just a story around stories. It’s full of characters I no longer care about. It’s that part I skip on my third relisten.
Anyway when I say season five is my favourite I mean statements in season five are my favourite - it does not reflect my opinion on the plot, character development nor the ending itself whatsoever.