1. Is there a way to get the tag windows to simply mimic the pane fields, the way it used to be
I think several people have suggested this as a feature to be carried over to the new Tagging Window. But, as you've observed, the new Tagging Window no longer supports the "show fields in my current view" feature.
2. Can templates for the tag window be stored - templates don't seem to storable like other templates
Sure. But this might require some explanation. Tagging Window templates are applied by MC based on the template definition. For example, the stock "Audio" template has a definition that says "Media Type is Audio". Any file that has a Media Type of Audio is going to use the Audio template.
But you can make new templates that have other definitions. Like maybe Media Sub Type is Podcast. Then put that template *above* Audio in the templates list. Then, any files that are of subtype podcast will select your new podcast template.
The key point here is that you can NOT select your own template on the fly. Rather, MC selects the template for you, based on the template definition. This is actually rather awesome. It just takes a little bit of getting used to.
3. Is there a way to just get just a display of playlists that the file is in rather than the long list of all playlists and have to go looking for the checkbox? That is a pain with the new approach.
Not in the Tagging Window, no. But it's REALLY easy to get what you want. Just add a column to any view you want. Make that column "Playlists" and it will show you, right there in the view, all of the playlists that each file belongs to. This is easier than opening the tagging window I think.
I hope that helps.
Brian.