I don't think 47 was a waste of time at all... lacus awakening and assuming responsibility for who she is and the role she could play as a political leader is a key moment in her development... athurun, kira, lacus and cagalli were the key players in the last war and could have shaped how things turned out by force of will and charisma... instead each chose to go into hiding or to turn away from their responsilbity...
so now kira does more than react, he looks to actively pursue the next step
athurun as well...
cagalli is finally becoming a true leader by assuming responsiblity
and now, with meer's sacrifice, lacus is steping forward in her role as a sort of spiritual and political leader/figurehead...
destiny is all about the characters either being true to themselves, or living/obeying others. This moment was important for lacus' character.