Sort of related comment to some posts above: I found it very frustrating too -although thankfully I'd been following the boards prior to release, so I was prepared- how limited the ME1 LI's role was in ME2. So I understand why some people may feel as though BW was pushing players, especially new ones, towards the ME2 LIs. But then on the other hand, I've been having a hard time reconciling what seems to me to be a sort of general "casual hook up" feeling the writers brought to the new LIs. Disclaimer: I haven't played through all romances, but the romances with Jacob and Miranda, who are arguably the Kaidan/Ash "replacements" for the game, seemed wayyyyy more about a quickie before going through the relay than an intimate moment based on serious attachment, as in Tali/Garrus's case (ME1 connection) or even Jack (paragon, seeing past her past).
So, I guess basically what I am asking is, were the writers trying to encourage ME2 LI hook ups by making Kaidan and Ash's appearance on Horizon such a sadface moment, or were they trying to encourage us to stay faithful by making the majority of the ME2 romances a quick fling? Or were they deliberately leaving things ambiguous so that players old and new could interpret a, b and c however they pleased?