As I typed this I realized that this thread is about graded cards, meaning my points may not even be that applicable. Still, I felt it was relevant for the most recent discussion points. Could be broken off into a different topic about the “end” of SV themed SV sets and what that means, but w/e.
I think that many collectors are viewing Surging Sparks as the first BIG set to largely move away from SV themed pokemon and characters. Of all the IR/SIR (the cards people most care about), only 4 cards contain pokemon/characters from the SV games (Ceruledge IR, Cetitan IR, Archaludon ex SIR, Drayton SIR supporter). The rest feature a variety of popular or semi popular pokemon like Pikachu, Milotic, Latios/Latias, Hydreigon, and others. The etb promo is also a shockingly good Magneton (pun intended), by the great Shinji Kanda no less. The set feels unusually stacked, but that is my own opinion.
Now we can look at specific card totals and numbers to see if this set is truly the “first” big departure, but thats missing the point. People perceive Surging Sparks as the departure point from SV themed SV era sets. That is what is happening imo. The eeveelution set will be another big set in this direction, even if it does feature SV era mon/trainers IR/SIR (which is almost a certainty).
Now personally, I would argue that people wanting less SV themed sets should actually look at the card lists! They’d quickly realize that every SV set has had heaps of non SV pokemon/trainers with amazing IR/SIR artworks, making the argument somewhat mute. Regardless though, people perceive Paldea Evolved, Temporal Forces, Stellar Crown, etc. as Scarlet Violet themed sets, even if there are some dozens of IR/SIR that aren’t gen 9 related spread amongst them 
151 is about the only set that I feel is truly not SV themed in any way, but it came out during year 1 of SV, so any hope for non SV sets was quickly squashed for another year and a half.
I see some Vivid Voltage 2.0 discussions which are also fair I guess.