It is a good article, but too pessimistic I think. The democrats did not approve the 2005 reform package and got a better one in 2010. The 2010 reform package was only approved after major government/BJ concessions. So the past pattern is not all negative.
In any case there are reasons to think this time things are different. Firstly, the democratic party were punished at the polls in 2012 for having approved the 2010 package (which did involve compromises from the democratic side. Secondly, the majority of the pan-dem support base voted in the July PopVote and said Legco should veto any proposal that did not live up to international standards. Thirdly, the 8/31 decision has united the democrats in a way they have not been for years. Thus, I think it unlikely that the reform package will be approved. At least not without a major concession.
The other thing which has changed is a huge political awakening. Quite how that pans out...for better or worse....remains to be seen. In the best case previously apolitical people will come together and get involved to present a united front. There are already signs of that happening on a quiet, but massive level. In the worst case, more 'radical' groups will form further political parties that compete against the Democratic and Civic parties to split the democratic vote.