This post is 
You also commented why the fandom is hesitant to recognize this. While I can't say for everyone, I can surely say for myself:
1) Normalization of such thing by ITV serials: Now, these things might not be considered right or be excused when it comes to my real life, but as for tv serials it is more like ye to sab mein dikhaate hi hai. But of course there was always this nagging and guilt ridden thought on my mind "Dikhaate hai kyuki hum dekhte hai"
2) The chemistry of SaiRat because of NeilSha: When it comes to SaiRat scenes (soem not all) the chemistry between is so beautiful that one who gets hooked to it just wants to see it more and more. And thus, while there are moments when I don't want to do continue watching, I keep on going just so I can see them reconcile after this is all over. Or go back to watching when certain tracks are over. And I am pretty sure this is exactly what the makers intend to too. That is why they give such lollipop scenes which has zero impact on the characters' personality.
3) The beautiful personalities which the characters were shown to possess initially: A male lead who isn't an emotionally unavailable macho and who does know how to shed tears when things go down for him. A female lead who don't care about age of the doers but just knows that wrong is wrong and it needs to be called out, who truly has brilliant comebacks, and who never back downs from pointing out the truth even if it might be harsh on some. These two characters were for me really fresh when it comes to itv serials. So, now, when their characters are so ruined, I can't help but feel sympathetic for them and just have this wishful thinking that maybe one day things would get better.
All these added up which lead to me again and again using compelx human behaviours to excuse all their acts. It made me feel like these characters actually had depths when it doesn't exist. We continue to again and again analyse, whether it be characters or the episode itself, not realising that there is nothing to be analysed. The makers have put zero thoughts on characters and the storyline and still we continue to give them benefit of the doubt.
However, now I know better than that. And tbh I feel really bad for not correcting myself before. However, there is still one thing which this serial has given me. It has given me a motivation to write stories. It has given me characters (not the current ones) which makes me want to imagine and write scenarios. And for that I will always be thankful, though more to IF and this lovely forum people than to the actual makers.
I would also like to point out, that for most entertainment is a sort of escape, and if this serial helps them in any way then there is nothing wrong in that. I think the actual word would be guilty pleasure. This serial thrives off by being a guilty pleasure for most.
PS: Do read my post though: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/ghum-hai-kisikey-pyaar-meiin/5250687/what-the-heck-is-even-happening-in-this-show-anymore
PSS: I wrote a story "Cut us and we all bleed, my love" which was sort of a challenge for me, and while I am quite, not completely though, satisfied with how it turned out (because of all the lovely folks who read and commented and liked it
) I won't consider this my favourite story of all because for me, I just feel like, the relationship which I had potrayed was not a healthy one, but still it was something which I had wanted to try.