Returning back to the Punitive route, and gleaning a few tech from discussions with the Dallas group. Dumping the Snares; while they did swing a few games, they also have problematic usage windows -- and trashing them to put an actual agenda in the scoring server is kind of too obvious.
Instead: increase the Upgrades count. Prisec fills a similar role: less damage, but also a more ambiguous presence when installed, and can be paired with Ben Musashi and Marcus Batty for a truly intimidating scoring server. It's also still a solid option for the Mushin No Shin/Upgrade turn. Though 5 cards is easier to steal than Ben's 6, the opportunity to land a last-click tag, even through a Film Critic, is too juicy to miss.
Of course, your best option in regards to knocking down Film Critics is still probably to Marcus into a Tithonium subroutine.
Finally: everybody seems to be on the Mirāju train, and I can kind of see why. The card advantage from having it fire is excellent, especially when the only alternative is to run uselessly into Archives.