By re-reading your description of your cuts, here is what I did :
#3 : brilliant (and probably the way to go). Haven't seen your cut but I wouldn't stay more than 2 or 3 secs on the clowns.
#4 : I did the same
#5 : I did the same but the music cut is horrendous. I'm very curious to know how you worked around it.
#6 : I did the same and the music is blended seamlessly
#7 : Curious to see how it turns out. Yes the laughing seems justified but it's the ugliest of the whole sequence. I can see your point though as I ended up with a jarring music cut again.
#8 : Well, as I said, I've cut everything from after Quickening #1 till after the second and I'm very satisfied with the result. Maybe pasting Quickening #2 after #1 would give the idea of an extended one but since there is a pause when McLeod picks up the sword, I really don't know if that would work.
I also made a small cut during the sword fight on the bridge, again not to stay too long on the faces of the porcupines. Quick cuts on their faces make them look like punks and I'm very happy with that...
Yesterday I was actually thinking about going Zeist-less a-la-Renegade and apply your cuts and mine, just for the sake of it... So I'm actually interested in your version in more than one way !
The description you make of the subway scene is actually how I would have made it myself...
I might refine my cut before posting it on the demons so that you can have a look at it.
Let me know your thoughts....