No problems with his "gruffness" as you term it; that indeed very much captured his Ranger walkings in Fellowship etc.

What was a tough pill to swallow was the self-doubt infused into the character. I know I know, character development, relatability, etc etc. But, c'mon, Aragorn is the damned KING and a leader with unflinching will (a contrast to many around him).

...

Also, where was the damn standard w/ the White Tree, Elendil when Aragorn arrived at the boat?!