Not indexed.  NOINDEX performs just as poorly. So it's the table data itself.

The only thing I could think is maybe because the geography data type is implemented via CLR that...

Microsoft SQL Server 2014 - 12.0.2269.0 (X64)

Jun 10 2015 03:35:45

Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation

Standard Edition (64-bit) on Windows NT 6.3 <X64> (Build 9600: )

I know it needs to be patched.  Possibly...

IMPORTANT:

If you follow the instructions as described, your databases on your secondary will go SUSPECT

You have to create the DMK and Certificate on the secondary...

I double checked, and you are exactly right.  EM shows only the first child level, but SSMS expands it out. 

I never would have even thought of that.  Thanks for...