For me, the main problem was the course was trying to attract audience without any common background. So lectures ended up very superficial unless the subject is very self contained.
For example, Novig gave a few very nice lectures introducing game theory and various search based solutions. But then they jump to a very superficial description of particle filters.
On the one hand, they dedicate time to explaining Bayes theorem (something that is taught in any basic probability class), and on the other hand, they describe advanced topics like particle filters and, perhaps, Markov Decision Processes very briefly.
Hopefully, Udacity will have, in the future, courses that build one on another. So students will have more uniform background and the instructors will have something to rely on.
Good luck, Professor Thurn!