Those stories might end. But other stories get told in their place. I don't want to play in some pre-defined story. I want to make my own story, and dying to a medusa might be the ending to my story, and I'm okay with that. Besides, save, save, save or die can still have the same outcome.
Not if your warlord or cleric interrupts the third save by expending a resource. Sort of like casting neutralize poison or protection from petrification on people in advance, only you aren't casting it in advance.
I don't really get the hate for turning to stone or causing death over 3 rounds. That's 18 seconds, which is about the time you need for a cleric to realize Bob the fighter is turning to stone or being disintegrated and hurriedly disrupt the curse before it reaches his vital organs and kills him.
Still quick and sudden but with a chance for the party to react and save themselves to an unexpected monster.
Even the black mamba doesn't kill you in less than 18 seconds guys.