And don't get me started with all the points where the syntax pretends to consume an expression but it's actually just the parser looking for a very specific pattern that will be read as if it was an expression, but other forms won't be accepted.

Sure, it's perfectly possible to grow numb to those pains and some will even pat themselves on the back, claiming pragmatism over principles, but wow, if you're not used to that level of make-believe in computer languages you'll be paralyzed by disbelief. An endless series of "this can't be true!"