I think the difference is, for me, that the Picard story feels like a natural outgrowth of the TNG mythos. Discovery never felt like an outgrowth of anything from TOS. It felt like it was bolted onto TOS in an attempt to drive subscriptions. And, yes, I understand that is exactly what Picard is here to do, just it feels like a far more natural evolution of the franchise, at this point.
Alright, fair warning that this may be a longish post. But, I'm also arguing myself in to watching Picard for reasons I didn't expect...so, bear with me.
I think Discovery worked for me because I went in to with a little more limited expectations. Still had expectations because "Star Trek" but I didn't know Georgiou or Burnham. So, for me, Discovery was much more of "wait and see" attitude because I really didn't know what this era of Trek looked like for the most part. I think I was a little more opened minded. Actually, a lot more opened minded.
Now, with Season 2 you had the introduction of Pike and Spock, who are definitely known quantities. But, we hadn't seen them at this stage in their life. So, again, a little more open minded. More willing to go where the journey would take me. And, I was thinking this up, I realized that I was letting my bias against Jean-Luc Picard as a character (nothing against Patrick Stewart-seems like a very nice man) influence me about what Picard could be about.
So, my biases got the best of me, and now I'm willing to go on this journey with Picard because I have no idea what this stage of his life might be like.
Why is it always a mysterious young woman and not a young man? Newcomer Dahj gives Picard bizarre story and he quickly believes it. Wesley, a proven crew member, tells Picard that Lore replaced Data and Picard brushes him off.
One, Picard might have learned from past experience.
Two, Wesley was always considered annoying.
We will see!
