Regarding the Romulan hairstyles, we are now seeing a much larger population of civilian (aka undercover!) Romulans. That's why we see them wearing different style clothes and hairdos. In a military organization, you make the people wear uniforms and groom themselves to regulations. Plus, it makes for cheaper TV costumes and hairpieces.
The receptionist in Starfleet HQ was wearing a uniform, so he should have recognized a highly decorated (even if disgraced/resigned, and therefore notorious) officer from the past few decades. Don't officers (because the Academy is for officers) learn [not-a-]military history? I realize it's more like the Navy and there's lots of ship, but this was THE ship. The one on display over their heads-- The flagship; The one that took on the Borg a few times (and mostly survived). Mr. Smiles (not to be confused with Smiley) should have recgonized this dude. I mean, maybe confirmed some identity, but still, should've recognized him.
Did anybody else notice or care about the cool walking-doorway transporters in the plazas? That felt very
Stargatey to me. And I expected arrows pointing, to show which direction foot traffic should approach the doorways, just for practicality.
Also, they had to open the doors by hand, to Starfleet HQ. I thought that was kind of funny. Wouldn't they have walk-through force fields by now, that can keep some air pressure out, but allow a person through? Then they wouldn't need to open the doors manually!
