Does anyone else always side with Meredith?

It's fair. I know is easy to see the Templars as some knights (and some of them are knights really). 

Meredith's a simple criminal, according to the Chantry's law (her own law, for which he swore!). She Tranquilized people randomly – and she allowed her Templars to be criminal. What she did, is a serious crime. And it was even before the red lyrium. True, perhaps I'm biased: I see criminal every politician who abuses his/her power. Much more than a simple thug or a mad serial killer. A politician with army always more dangerous than a simple murderer, so, in my eyes, to support that criminal, simply wrong.

Orsino knew Quentin, he was a friend of him once. (Quentin were in the Starkhaven Circle – it's vague, he escaped, or had some special permit, and how he have a wife, and why he lost his mind...) Of course, he didn't betray him – and he sends some books to him. He knew Quentin studies forbidden knowledge – and knew about some of his discovery and theory. But I believe, what he said: it was too late when he realized Quentin's mental state – I suppose this was the moment when Quentin wrote about the Harvester... – but the Harvester, we know, NOT Quentin's discovery. Perhaps, he had some new theory about it... But I doubt Orsino knew Quentin's wife-project. I suppose, when Orsino figured, what happened with Quentin, panicked. Not for himself. We saw in Qunari war, he's brave. He didn't fear to face dozens of qunari alone. He feared Meredith's random revenge on the whole Circle. He committed a big mistake – but he didn't want the others to suffer.
Orsino's goal, when accepted the title was to prevent the suicides after his friend (love?) ignited herself. Nobody wanted this position under Meredith. He took this to protect the others. He's not a bad person. Absolutely OOCthat he would be able to help willingly to a serial killer. I know, this is an unpopular opinion – but I don't think, he knew about what Quentin exactly do. Nobody knew about a serial killer, only Emeric believed his existence, but Meredith and even Aveline thought, he's just an old idiot. Why would Orsino know it? 

And The others inside the Circle isn't Orsino: there are hundreds of mages, children among them. An annulment would kill every. No one of them knew Quentin.

I don't have Hawke who was able to send anyone to Meredith's Circle (except the Exotic Wonder), after Karl's case. I found Ferelden's Circle terrible, but this is a madness! I know, Grace will be a traitor, but Hawke doesn't know that at the moment... And Ella? (I always saved her) Ella was abused by Templars, I don't think it's right decision to send her back to this awful place... (Not mentioned, she saw Anders' secret... I don't think if Hawke wants to keep Anders would be a good choice from RP view...)

Once I sided with Templar Carver. This is my tragic end... this Hawke didn't want to face with his brother but betrayed his own people and his friend – the Viscount title as 30 pieces of silver. Viscount achievement's done – so: never more!