Quantum geometrodynamics with intrinsic time development presents a new vista to overcome the many technical and conceptual obstacles in quantum gravity. Paradigm shift from full space-time covariance to spatial diffeomorphism invariance yields a non-vanishing Hamiltonian, a resolution of the `problem of time', and gauge-invariant temporal ordering in an ever expanding universe. The framework advocates momentric, instead of momentum, variables; as well as a new set of fundamental commutation relations. Einstein's general relativity is a particular realization, and the low-curvature limit, of a wider class of theories. Cotton-York dominance of the potential at early times when the universe was small implies the vacuum state in the Cotton-York era is naturally compatible with Penrose’s Weyl Curvature Hypothesis of “our extraordinarily special Big Bang”.