Anthony...
Again, this is how I think of Ross courses...so take it at face value. Others might see it differently. But everytime I describe playing a Donald Ross course to a non-GCA type, I do indeed use the term "subtle brilliance". But then I try to elaborate. Here is what I usually say...
Off the tee, Ross generally doesn't show you too much if you aren't paying attention. There won't be too many trees crowding the fairways and the course won't be over bunkered. There may be a trap here or there, but in general you will feel free and wide open standing on a typical Donald Ross tee box. You will swing away and most likely be in what looks like (at first blush) a decent spot. But, of course, one of those few traps might just have gobbled up a wayward tee shot...but assuming you have avoided that you should think you are in good shape.
But, if you didn't notice his subtle brilliance you might have an awful angle to approach the green/pin to. A bunker, water, a mound, something probably will be blocking you or hindering you from getting the ball on the green in optimal position. Again, a novice to Ross (or golf) still might not be able to appreciate this.
On your approach shot if you were out of position off the tee, even a good shot won't hold the green (or if it does hold the green you will have to hole a miracle putt for your birdie). If you hit a bad shot, you are in trouble. Bunker, short-sided...something. But in general the penalty isn't overly penal. You should have a recovery shot, but it will be a difficult one.
Once on the green, of course you've got the typical Ross contours to contend with. But again, many non-GCA'ers or Ross novices still might not get the fact that trying to putt from non-ideal spots on the green can result in plain and simply not being able to get the ball close to the hole.
So in short, if his subtle brillance is over-looked you might think he is a boring architect. Easy tee shot, open approach, hilly greens...pretty straight forward...but then again why did I hit good shots but make bogey/double bogey...bad luck I guess.
But if you get his subtle brillance, you develop your strategy off the tee and try like hell to execute that strategy and hit good and wise shots.
So, that is what I try to say to people as I define Ross' work. It looks like a lot of words, but I can spit it out in a matter of seconds.
But again, this is how I think of it...others might think differently. Brad Klein is certainly an expert. Tom Doak probably has some great ideas. And many, many others are more qualified than me. But that is my take.