DIS is in that weird place, where I think the characters work right from the beginning (well...some from the third episode, when they were finally introduced). They don't have such a large ensemble as all Trek shows before, but the core group of characters - Burnham, Saru, Tilly, Stamets, all work great. And characters like Lorca and Tyler, which were obvious "mystery boxes" instead of "characters" - they were intersting, and we wanted to find out what's their deal. In fact, the only other Trek shows that had the characters work this good right from the beginning were TOS and DS9.
That being said: DIS first seasons' stories and plots - and I mean ALL of them - were shit. And I mean, absolute garbage, beyond any imagination, almost ridiculously bad. It's the worst horseshit Star Trek has crammed out since VOY's "Threshold", and I think even that had a more intelligent and interesting plot. Plot-wise, this season is an abomination. The only half-way watchable episode was the timeloop episode where the Enterprise...erm Discovery repeatedly blew up. And even that was shit compared to any other episode from any other first season of any other Trek show. And the only reason why it was even half-way watchable was because it was essentially a direct remake of one of TNG's better episodes.
It truly baffles the mind. Because the characters all are very lovable, and immediately feel "right": That's our new crew. Period. A worthy new Trek ensemble. And then... they deliver such crude stuff? This complete, utter schlock? And they even manage to deliver the usual Trek dialogue right - make it feel real, and that in the middle of such a gore-filled, ridiculous mockbuster version of a real sci-fi show? I don't get it... It's the characters why I give the next season a chance. But damn - the plots were the weakest Star Trek has ever put out. And I'm generously including "Spock's brain" and "A night in Sickbay" in there, which are both vastly superiour to the overall plotline of DIS season 1!