Yeah, I liked it for a similar reason, showing what Tony would have become if not for the epiphany in that cave with Yinsen and their kidnappers that led him to become Iron Man in the first place.
Yeah, a bit much, but one of the overarching lessons of superhero fiction, one that has to be constantly relearned and reaffirmed in light of how many times even heroes forget it, is that great power must be carefully and responsibly wielded so that it's not abused or misused . . . so I can somewhat understand, if not necessarily condone or excuse, their suspicion.