It’s a matter of opinion of course, but to me Picard 1/2 suffers the same malady as S31: “all we need is a big star to sell our franchise”

Season 3 felt to me like the owners of the franchise desperately trying to salvage the final season from Patrick Stewart’s meddling.

As for Kirk’s stories you’re right he’s done if not already overdone, at least as a main character. Who knows how he may work as a supporting character 🤷‍♀️