I have to agree for once with the OP. This update was one of the worst ones ever (for premium and non-premium players). The new crop has also got to be one of the lamest freebies ever IMO. I rarely plant crops so what's the point? (though I can understand for newer players)
I'm a sucker for LT items, so I got the falcon. He's not really that outrageous for 40 donuts, but his flying animation could've been better. The Bart Raven (I dont have him but I've seen him in my other neighbor's towns) had a longer flying range and he was cheaper.