Catelyn has a pinch of Adaptational Jerkass as presented in her marriage to Ned. But it does make sense that it'd have the same kinds of tensions that Ned would've reflected on in Canon for their rough start. And nothing presented is necessarily different given her actions in that other life with the OG Sansa, Arya and Jon. It's just not presented with the same sheen of an experienced mother.
The Greyjoy Rebellion seems far more reaching and well coordinated compared with Baelon's less fruitful attempt in Canon. There are a couple reasons this could be so.
The biggest factor is that Aeron notes that Balon and Euron seemed to have planned this well in advance of their announcement in 284. And with Euron having a much larger role in this planning, of course it would be even better coordinated and planned with his mad genius.
Due to Quellon's illness in this continuity, there was no way for the Ironborn to try a last minute raid towards the end of the rebellion, so the Iron Islands would have slightly more man and ship power by comparison.
With Victorion and Euron having visited "Greenland" during the tournament and the Great Council, they probably had a better idea of what support was like for Rhaegar, so they'd need to plan more seriously for the conflict to come.
And of course, there's the fact stated in story that since Dragons were the Game Changer for the kingdoms of old, they realized that they had a much smaller window of opportunity to even attempt a rebellion. So they'd need to go big right away, or they'd never get another chance.
In a symbolic way, Baelon's nameday gifts for his fourth nameday demonstrate the influences he's going to have from everyone in his life.
His 2nd Muna gave him a harp, giving him culture.
A cloak from Benjen to remind him of his northern heritage.
A horse from Lyanna to give him skill as a rider and ability to take freedom.
A pin from Aemon to remind him of his Valerian heritage.
Swords from the Kingsguard and Dacey to make him a warrior.
The Hound from Tywin. Intended as a protection and show of force, but in how Baelon treats Sandor with respect, it will be a reminder to treat even the outcasts with love.
A romance novel from Ned to give him idealism and romance in his life.
And a dragon egg from his grandmother, to remind him of the power and friendships he'll have all his life.
The more liberal policies of Rhaegar's court make sense when you take into account that his main influences are wives from opposite sides of the continent. Dorne and the North both have strong independent streaks, which give women higher values compared with much of the rest of the realm, have more open social views. Combine that with the Targaryen heritage, and you have a perfect cocktail for a realm with a thought process ahead of its time.
There's a fun symmetry for Sansa nominating her half brother Robb to play Orys Baratheon. Orys was rumored to be Aegon's bastard brother, and won a kingdom for himself as a loyal Number Two. Robb was the bastard born cousin of the future king, who was given a kingdom from a loyal number two. It's a pretty fun parallel.
Fridge Horror
After Euron's attack, Barristan takes stock of the keep's losses, and mentions that they lost almost all their guards, a bunch of staff...and Lord Manderly. And if Lord Manderly is dead, then that means his assistant would now have the option to rise to Master of Coin. And who's Wyman Manderly's current assistant? Littlefinger!
