TO GENESISONE:
1) Some episodes will have more forward movement take place in them than others, but basically - yes - this is going to be a VERY expanded retelling.
2) Crono and Lucca are the sorts of friends who've known each other a very long time, and fight like crazy despite being good friends. There's more to it than that, but all will be revealed before the end of the 2300 AD arc.
3) You were right about the part of his metaphysical essence being transported, but wrong about the rest. All will eventually be revealed in time.
4) Thank you, going in to the episode I was very worried people would hate the singing part... but it's actually been the most positively talked about part.