Agree with most of it. That intro with Michael riding on that ship at warp is exactly why I don't like Discovery all that much. It's always Michael, it's got to be Michael. Plus the way this was used as you pointed out was just not good.

Also the reasoning to get Tilly back on board later, eh, don't know, why not I guess. But why park a character at the academy teaching if you just get her back later with some half-baked excuse.

Same for Rayner, he has been retired as a Captain, despised working with Michael but of course she can persuade him to work as her Number One? Really? Sorry, but that does not make sense to me. I like him as a character though, so not too unhappy he sticks around.

But Michaels monologue about the progenitors at the beginning of episode 2 just nailed it in terms of what is not good about Discovery. Of course Michael recently thought about her existence, of course she has the drive to now look for answers the questions, but what if she does not understand. Always her her her. None of the other characters seem to matter.

I am quite excited they revive that progenitors plot from TNG, it is good material. However I am worried they only did so since they saw this is what saved Picard Season 03, fan service by bringing back as much TNG as necessary. So we will see. Cautiously optimistic, but it is still the Discovery that I don't quite like.