I believe you are right. The "filoque" was objected to by the Orthodox not because of a perceived defective Christology, but because it was a substantial edit of the original creed, that Rome undertook on its own. The objection to the very notion that the Creed could be altered allowed the Orthodox church to position itself as just that, orthodox.
The Son is 'begotten,' and the Holy Ghost 'proceeds.'
These are striking word choices, chosen by the Nicene Council. Both the Son and Holy Ghost emanate from the Father.