I did the BKK to YYZ on BR PE this month too. I have been traveling on BR PE for sometime now. It was good. The foot rests on the 777 are way better and I never thought they were meant to cover the whole of the feet and the calfs. Since it is not business class I am presuming that it just to put your feet on. Or part of your feet on. Like the old business class.
I also have travelled on CX PE and prefer the BR one to the CX. But the CX was on short haul so people with more experience on the long haul on CX can give a better idea. I would actually like to know as well as I have the choice of traveling CX, or BR.
Yes, the Bloody Mary is bloody useless. If I am traveling alone I try to get the aisle on the middle 4. In that way I do not have to disturb anyone to get out and unless there is a family of 3 and also the flight is full the chances of the next seat being empty is very good.