My husband and I had a discussion about this very thing not a week ago. Even in shows where there isn't a villain as heinous as Ramsay Bolton there's a tendency for awful things a character has done to be overlooked simply because they've also done a few good things or like you mentioned, suffered some kind of tragedy. I'm guilty of rooting for characters that really don't deserve it myself. What do you think the purpose of this trend is?
I can't wait to hear about the show you referenced, I've been wishing for something new and refreshing:)