Hm can you clarify to me how the first d1 dlc fared with CoO?

The first expansion added like four story missions, which took place in locations we already had, ultimately leading to a new raid. Said raid is widely considered the worst, with some calling it a glorified strike, eventually leading to people beating it blindfolded or with a drum controller. It also added the Omnigul strike, one that wasn't particularly well liked at the time, with the biggest issue being that it took existing content and essentially added two new rooms and a boss.

I'm not saying CoO is better, as they both have very different and distinct flaws, just that it was almost insulting to be asked to pay $19.99 for.

The whole design philosophy seems so wrong

No doubt. I don't care for a lot of the things Bungie does and strongly believe anyone who dislikes it should stand up against it, but there is a point where we get into blind hate. I won't reiterate my other post and just say, it's fine to be pessimistic, it's just when you assume things are already a lost cause, especially when you indicate it's part of a cycle where it was redeemed in the end, it seems to cross the line.