I like Holly as a character, but I cannot help but be vaguely skeeved out that this is really an older Neil with a high schooler.

I also can't help but think like... okay, for example: Kurt supposedly published those books and papers, right? And won those awards? If he did those before, could he find it in himself to do it again? Wouldn't he have moved on? If he doesn't have the same priorities now as he did five years ago, how can he achieve the same things?