I've watched 3 episodes so far and they are all closer to our reality than most previous episodes. Still recommend it, the show hasn't lost its attractiveness. Especially episode two shines with some supreme performances.
Also saw three. Less gritty, little less futuristic. Has there been changes in the writing staff?
No idea, but to me it seems a conscious decision. From season two on I get the impression that there were some common themes underlying the episodes - exposing the darkest part of human psychy, future world building, this thime it seems to be near-future effects of technology on our humanity that we can already see.
No, they're still mostly written by one very hard working person