The finale of S1 of SNW is top-tier star trek IMO. They managed to show that even though Pike did everything “right” from his own frame of reference (on the basis that violence can escalate to war and war is to be avoided at all costs so violence must be extremely measured) . The Romulans are operating from a completely different frame, where not pressing an advantage is fatal weakness.

Pike was just not the right man for the job despite his intentions.