I got most of the post out of the way (read: The first three-quarters that's mostly introspective responses to what's happened and not actually worth reading) but my time is running thin, so the rest might have to be delayed for another 12-ish hours while I sleep and study. Will see what I can do.
By the way, for anyone who wants to watch a show like Madoka Magica, I can recommend Yuuki Yuuna Is a Hero. It's very similar to PMMM to the point it's not unreasonable to think of it as intended to cash in on the recent popularity of dark mahou shoujo, but it does have fresh ideas to bring into the formula in addition to the expected cuteness and awesome fight scenes. For one, the cast includes a paraplegic who stays crippled while transformed into a magical girl, which I have not seen in any other anime. And no, it doesn't devolve into mindless edgy horror like the piece of shit that was Daybreak Illusion.
@The book of bad juju I just thought to mention it as a unique aspect of it. Also, I want to add that the character's disability is treated respectably ( at least outside of the henshin sequence, but I believe they had good intentions even there), and no other character actually mentions it or draws any attention to it at any point outside of the character herself at believable moments.