First, I think those seats needed to be filled, and they needed very badly NOT to be filled with Liberal party hacks. Those guys have been forestalling needed reform for a very long time.

Stalling reform of what, the senate? Not really. The problem is that a few of the provinces have objected very strongly to Harper's unilateral approach to senate reform, saying he can't do it without consulting them. The Senate held hearings during which these provinces - most notably New Brunswick - explained the constitutional side of things. The Senate asked Harper to ask the Supreme Court if his approach was indeed constitutional. Harper has refused. Hence the stalemate. Can't really blame the Senate, liberal or otherwise.