KNIME AP 5.3 - Sorter node - Missing functionality with Flow Variables

With KNIME AP 5.3 I noticed the Sorter node’s Flow Variables have changed, removing some functionality.

Is there a simple viable alternative, or can this prior functionality be restored?

Prior to 5.3 I was able to set Flow Variables to get a string list/array, like so:

This would then yield:

With 5.3, the Sorter node’s Flow Variables look like this:

Which yields:

This feels like a step backwards.

• To get flow variables out of a Sorter node, my only option is to create individual variables for each criterion, which isn’t great for larger lists.

• To get flow variable info into a Sorter node, there’s no way to provide a Sorter node with an array for the sort criterion any longer. I have to manually specify each item.

• If I need to add an additional sort criterion, it can no longer by done dynamically - it has to be manually adjusted in the workflow.