I don't know EXACTLY how it worked with Ares in Year One, but the lasso seems to work to break the effect of lies, deception, delusion, trickery etc. and show the truth (in a broader sense). In Pérez it worked in the same way: Ares was so blind for power that didn't stop to think about the consequences of his acts.
I agree that it can be overpowered and that's not ideal. But I'm fine with it until now, and happy to see it is more a magic weapon than just a cowboy lasso or barely used at all.
Ares talked about how kids are taught the ways of war in school, so Diana took that as a hint. No one was there to attack the obvious targets, so she thought of the vulnerable ones instead. Kinda rushed, yeah, but still acceptable.
I don't disagree with your point about her patrons, though.
Well, she was translating it. Language has been a big part of this story, so I thought it was cool. Besides, it was the first encounter Barbara had with the gods. Interesting to see how she had difficulties to translate, perplexed/amazed as she was.
LOL her mouth is weird sometimes, too big and expressive for her face. But except ocasional disproportion, I thought the art was lovely. Jenny Frison's is amazing as well.