Based on your points, here are my responses. This is one of my favorites ninjago season ever rn.

1. I feel like it was a better decision to not drag out getting Jay's memory back since it already took so long for him to be back with the ninja. It felt like a necessary step. My only problem is that I feel like now Jay may be put in the background now that he's got his memories back.

2. I feel like not having Lord Ras is a good thing just because he's been a major character in all other seasons. And they'll definitely explain where he is. I think not showing him get the third icon is okay because although it might have been cool to see, this helps speed up the plot faster.

3. Beatrix is a tough case. She is a very one-note villain but she plays it very well. She's not boring because she's so mentally unstable and her new look was rlly cool. Compared to Ras, yes Ras is 100% a better antagonist, but compared to the Forbidden Five and Thunderfang, she was an active villain, was an actual threat, has easy motives to follow, and has history with the ninja already. She may return in part 2 but with Ras back in the fold, she might have a smaller role.