The key playmaking positions still present a conundrum, defence has stepped up a notch and a Junior Wallaby is making waves.
Here's what we're talking about after the Reds' 27-20 loss to the Lions in Johannesburg.
The Reds are almost a really good team.
There's no question the Reds have a powerful pack that can be a set-piece weapon. Even with two tightheads off the field, they managed to win a scrum penalty against the Lions - an unexpected bonus - and generally held their own when undermanned.
But finesse remains an issue. At times when the pack should be dominating, a momentary lapse - failure to control the ball at the back of the scrum, or a maul that had been marching forward losing momentum due to a failure in technique peeling off for example - things deteriorate and the Reds miss golden opportunities.
The game is a collection of moments and as Thorn pointed out, the Reds are failing to make the most of theirs.
They are creating plenty of opportunities though and when they learn to make the most of those, they will turn their fortunes around.
For now though, it's the self-inflicted problems that are haunting the Reds rather than their rivals.
Defence has improved markedly but gains still need to be made
Former Super Rugby and NRL premiership winner Peter Ryan has helped add plenty of starch to the Reds' defence over the past year and he would have been enormously proud of their effort to keep a clean sheet when down to 13 men against the Lions.
But defence is about more than just tackling and the Reds need to get themselves out of harm's way and play a territory game if they are to start notching wins this season.
No team can give away the amount of possession and field position the Reds did in Johannesburg - even before their double sin bin debacle - and expect to be able to maintain their line.
And it's not just the tackles. Repelling wave after wave of attackers only to have back-to-back kicks put out on the full handing possession back to the opposition is as much a hit in the guts as any charge from a 130kg prop.
Playmaking conundrum
It's tough to judge the James O'Connor flyhalf experiment on a game in which he was constantly on the back foot.
But on the face of it, shuffling O'Connor from 12 to 10 and shifting Isaac Lucas to the bench was not a match-winning move for the Reds.
O'Connor had only five carries for 3m and failed to make a clean break - the stats perhaps reflective of the Reds' game overall rather than his own contribution.
Hamish Stewart defended outstandingly at inside centre, making 12 tackles and shutting down several threatening Lions probes. But the moves likely left Thorn with more questions than answers.
As steady as a rock last season, Bryce Hegarty has been shaky at times at fullback. It's something the Reds need to lock down so they can achieve the combinations and consistency they need if they are to be a finals team.
Don't press the panic button yet
The Reds face one of Super Rugby's toughest assignments when they head to Argentina next week to take on the Jaguares on the back of losses in Canberra and Johannesburg.
Thorn's men are not about to give up on beating last year's finalists. But they'll be at long odds in Buenos Aires.
Another loss is hardly going to help them build a crowd for their opening home game against the Sunwolves later this month.
But there have been enough signs in the opening two weeks to suggest all is not lost.
After losing by three points last week and then seven against the Lions, the Reds have two bonus points, something that could be key by the end of the season.
There have been false dawns before. But the disappointment with which the team has taken its results over the past fortnight suggests that there is at least no complacency amongst the playing group for simply accepting a good effort.
Junior Wallaby the real deal
He might not have the profile of his playmaking teammates Noah Lolesio, Will Harrison and Isaac Lucas but Harry Wilson is making a mark every bit as big as his Junior Wallabies teammates.
Wilson forced his way into the starting no.8 jersey with an outstanding pre-season campaign and he has continued to impress in his first two Super Rugby outings.
After earning praise from Brumbies coach Dan McKellar on debut, Wilson had another impressive outing against the Lions, making 41m from seven carries, including a clean break.
He was just short of adding to his try-scoring tally when his desperate reach just failed to touch the chalk but he will present Brad Thorn with a conundrum when Harry Hockings returns to full fitness following a broken hand, with the possibility he could send a more experienced backrower to the bench.
Cut out the impulsive plays that work in the junior ranks but fail to translate to the open stage and he will press for higher honours by season's end.
