That bit about your old boss and the tap guide hits home. Mine was named Dale and he had the same rule, you don't touch the spindle until your hands know what the cut should feel like. Twelve years of pecking and backing out chips builds a kind of sense in your fingers that no screen can give you, and I get why losing that feels like a loss even when the new way works better. Honestly that gut check you're feeling is the sign you were taught right, not a sign you're cheating.

Been there with a few shows where the pilot almost made me quit for good. Best move is to watch the first four in a row without judging, because pilots are basically a to do list for the whole series and they almost always feel stiff. Also check episode count before you start so a short season doesn't scare you off, and keep that list handy for when a rainy weekend shows up.