The straight van agitators always worked great in these washers with loads of light fabrics or small items and at lower than maximum water level. Try doing a video of a load of ten pairs of mens blue jeans with the SV agitator and then the same load with the original DA agitator and you will see why they used the DDA. Great videos thanks for posting them.

The quick spray at the beginning of the spin is to rinse any lint and scum off the top of the load before it really gets the clothes against the side of the tub. This short spray of usually cold water will not remove much if any fabric softener. As most know FS is oily to waxy and this is why if you use it that when the clothing is washed the next time it is so important to wash it in hot or at least warm water or the FS will build up too much in the clothing and even the washer.