For that matter, somebody on the ground (like maybe the tow pilot) should
have seen the glider entering the pattern in the opposing direction. At
the fields I fly at regularly, anybody (glider pilot, tow pilot, wing
runner) would have delayed the launch until the glider had landed.

Agreed, I am assuming this is what the chat was about with the tow
pilot. I flew a bit too far on the down wind leg which probably
confused the tow pilot.