Overall, I really liked the overarching plot, but I think they needed to extend out the conclusion over more episodes with this episode and the previous feeling a little rushed.
That being said, still a very enjoyable episode and
Feels like a lot of character development this series.spoiler
yay captain Boimler!
I enjoyed the TWoK references though!
Cayuga is a connie according to memory alpha - confirmed in some background graphics: https://twitter.com/timothypeel1/status/1690018124492349440/photo/1
I would like to know why the Gorn was there too, but the Gorn didn't notice Spock boarding and so there's no reason to believe Enterprise would have notice a Gorn boarding. It's also possible it was beamed over when the Cayuga was destroyed to find something or to access the ships systems.
Janeway also attempts to give CPR to a dead crewman in Voy: Scientific Method
+1 for the complaint on the 'do the thing' comment. I feel like it's because engage/make it so have become somewhat of a meme from Picard in TNG and they're looking to replicate that.
But the idea every captain has their thing is one seemingly from the new Treks. In the past series, engage is used frequently by Kirk, Janeway and Sisko. (Kirk also frequently uses warp speed Mr sulu, ahead warp factor 1, take her out, first star to the left and straight on till morning etc.) They've been really pushing 'let's fly' from Discovery, but it's a terrible line and trying to force it just makes it cringy. I wish they'd used that time to expand the stealing the Enterprise plot a little more.
Most likely means that the pre-production, writing, location scouting, set/prop design etc. and key crew have likely been confirmed and that when the strike ends, they'll be able to move to shooting pretty fast depending on if they've confirmed the rest of the cast before the strikes (I assume actors aren't meant to audition for parts whilst striking.)