Spot on. The new engineer has more personality than Michael Burnham has shown in a season... and is far more likeable. Pike is instantly more Starfleet than anyone we've seen in a season, too.
"Not every cage is a prison, not every loss eternal."
The fortune cookie message is more of an in-joke re: Pike's [and Trek's] first episode, The Cage, as well as commentary on the loss of Sarek and Burnham's relationships with Spock. Plus injured Pike went back to the 'cage' of the Talosians in order to be free of his crippled body.
I never want to see Lorca again... except the real version that might be alive somewhere in the Mirror Universe.
Also true.
Who could be mad at a Mount/Peck/Romijn early Enterprise adventures show?!
The science officer actor was a bit wooden, plus the character refused to listen to the Word of God that is Burnham. His coming death was painfully obvious.
I want more of Reno. Seeing her square off with Stamets would be great... but seeing her in the Enterprise engine room would be better.