The light curves of SN events are the kind of data that needs to be studied a lot more than has been done at this time. This is very time intensive work and I have lot respect for that research. But, models and theories are a dime a dozen. The fact that a lot of guys made a big bomb from nuclear forces is not all that impressive even if it can be intimidating. Nor is the fact they can boil water by the same process. The plain truth is there is only a very tiny bit known about nuclear events and nothing about SN events. Those who say they know are as you say and worse.