Still, the set up of the scene was deliberate. If it was just the family together, no need to keep showing Meadow delayed and rushing in late. So the tension was real, a trick, or it is up to us to decide.
In a way I liked it, but then again - aren't the writers supposed to write the show? As opposed to my imagination.
My barber told me the same thing several weeks ago about the gun play at Holsten’s so go to the bank on it.