The "turn back" was broached quite some time ago. Engine(s) loss was discussed as well. Early separation of the VS seemed problematic due to antenna location. If the black boxes are indeed 8 km apart, disintegration in flight looms back into view. Then again, Figaro tells me the Muslim "problem" is overblown, and 7 kilos of Heroin were intercepted, not a gold standard of journalism, imo.
Chris Scott reminds us of the Cabin P alert and loss of the pressure vessel seems a possibility. Since it was (ACARS) last, a descent to and through 8000 feet seems supportable (with cabin integrity), and the alert also could be saying "We're lower than the Cabin, and can't keep up." The alert also suggests that pressure inside was way low, and 8000 feet cannot be maintained, something that could happen at any altitude (seemingly) from 37k down to 8000, if indeed the warning was genuine and based on true sensing.
Although PJ2 didn't agree that a turnaround was done "Immediately", it is conceivable that had the Pilots turned to miss the Wx and experienced an uAS in concert with the turn, they may have made it into a 180 rather than a 30.
For keeping the thread going with brilliant data and graphics, much is owed to mm43 and others. It is a good thing that plenty of folks are keeping up with the investigation, for many reasons, not the least of which regards mitigating the factors that caused this tragedy.
bear