Its different Neil, stick with it and you’ll be rewarded.
Setting it’s scene and laying out its premise can initially seem off putting if you view it in terms of the 80’s/90’s Trek mindset...its not episodic like those shows..but the payoff is that it gets to the fundamentals of what makes Trek “Trek” in a bold new way which, imo (unfortunately), put off some ‘stuck in their ways’ fans.
A lot of the bad press came from this.
I’d ask, what’s more “Trek” in concept than growing and developing?
Just not in a JJ Abrahm’s Way...
History will judge it well, judged as an entire series it’s Terrific and absolutely canon.
The last 2 minutes of the final episode is, well, a TOS fans wet dream.
And Season 2 continues this.
Just like Breaking Bad, I envy anyone seeing it for the first time.