I hear you.

the pilot [2 eps] should have started at around the point it ended - with maybe a few flashbacks to set the scene.

Any time something interesting came up the story quickly turned back to the 'us and them' between the military and civilians - and even that didn't really go anywhere.

the overall idea could be good if they do something with it, so far they haven't really.

I have a feeling it will get better as they split from the main group on their quest and the main character might actually use his booksmarts against the aliens rather than just to bore people.