I think that the Hindsight John, at this point, is very much in need of human contact.

I agree. I bought their relationship. I didn't feel Rodney commandeered John's life. They barely see each other for long stretches of time, and I can imagine Rodney calling him frequently, because he does obsess.

There were parts of the story that I wish had been better, but it was all technical stuff, rather than character stuff. I'll put that in another comment.