That's a really good point about asshole geniuses. For them, it's that they've never bothered developing people skills (because they're just that good, or it holds them back). But part of Laszlo's skills is understanding how people work! What makes them tick, what makes them boil over, all that. He's so interested in it. It motivates him, alongside the usual ethical impetus for investigating a murder. But then he wants to know how people tick for people who consider themselves off-limits or who have way different relationships to him and nooo you can't do that! And I agree there's a deliberate 'pushing others away' aspect.

I volunteer to give Laszlo a hug. Many hugs.

Yes - so many horses and carriages :D Some of the bigger shots of 19th century New York, the kind that modern movies use helicopter footage to scene-set with, were like "okay that's a matte painting". But the day-to-day street level stuff was so detailed. I really wish I could have a wander through Laszlo's apartment; it's absolutely beautiful.