I can remember those heady days in the 80's and 90's when the new year brought new and unique and cool castle legos. I had a 375 castle from childhood along with the Knight's Tour. and of course the Knight's Procession. First the Lions, then the Black Falcons, then the Forestmen (which I have always referred to as Elves) then the wolfpack. Can ya feel the love?
The Dragon Masters marked a change. Where were the Crusaders and Falcons? Then the Fright Knights. By the time those lame cartoon lions came out I had accepted that Lego had turned it's back on it's premier line--castle.
Castle has been in hiatus now for several years. Harry Parter sets have whetted my appetite, but I wanted more.
But the KK2 sets confirm my belief that Lego is in some financial difficulties. 2004 bricks look and feel of a lower quality, am I just imagining this? Now the color change. The new colors just don't fit. In the past (TTK, RedBean and B-Man back me up here) you could paint with Testers and the colors all matched! I just don't buy in "we've just decided (after 20 years) that these colors don't work" excuse.
Ah well, what's a castle head to do? Buy up some NLG (new light grey) and see what happens. Lego company, Lego company, where for art thou Lego company?

Men who lie, merely hide the truth; but men who tell half-lies, have forgotten where they put it--Samuel Clemens