I also really appreciated the little touches; things like Gumi and Rin being decidedly unwilling to interact with GENOM, since this is still mid-21st Century, and they're still a going concern. Or the fact that Earth was in the middle of ramping up into being part of the Galactic scene, and the changes that are involved to things like the museums. We've seen that before with the Toronto Zoo and Ontario Science Center, but not so close to first contact.

Also, it amuses me that Niagara Falls are a major wedding destination at this stage of time. Like a miniature Las Vegas without the casinos (at least, none mentioned).

-Droken