Mastered Super Saiyan state in Cell Arc will always be amazing to me as as concept because it represents Goku balancing his Nature (Super Saiyan form) with his Nurture (martial arts training)
IMO Freeza Arc saw Goku develop as a fighter in his natural (Saiyan) way while Cell arc had him balance that nature with earthly nurture, as seen in these panels.
I don't get the problem with these as they are entirely in-character
Goku always made risky decisions
Goku not taking the medicine is not stupid, you only take medicine after you get sick not before
Krillin and 18 could have had better writing
That's just Vegeta being Vegeta
Vegeta (a representation of nature over nurture) becomes the main factor in his own NURTURE through him removing his connections to his family by willingly giving himself to Babidi (nurture)
Toriyama was in his bag frr
I don't really think it should be controversial
Goku has always been the guy who takes risks and believes he can find a way to make things turn out right in the end
King Kai states that this is his biggest strength
Goku also brought up a good moral argument