I could not agree more. There is lots more going on in the first few episodes than people realize.
Just as in other Joss Whedon shows, the first few chapters may seem a bit slow and unrelated, yet it all ties together with a bang later. I have said in other threads, its much like reading a Steven King novel such as The Dead Zone or The Stand.
Don't quit, there is a big payoff in the end.
I have to give a shout-out to Dollhouse, a really great show that takes some twists and turns that you will NOT see coming..it is a work of brilliance.
~Oh, I'm well aware it's not a picnic, Mr. Save the Day~ (Fitz, Agents of Shield)

Then you are in for a ride, my friend.
Your situation is very similar to how mine was.
S1 second half gears it up and that when the fun starts. I didn't know much about this universe either. No problem at all. And after you have watched it all, you will have no problem rewatching the first ten episodes of S1 to enjoy these episodes with a renewed appreciation.

Buckle up
Trust us. This is not going to go down the way you think it is. Literally nothing in AoS ever does, which is usually a good thing.

"We're a team, Garrus. There's no Shepard without Vakarian."

Sometimes the smallest phrases and quick actions stick with me the longest, and Coulson exerts most of them. One of my favorites is one it sounds like you just saw; where he's in an office upstairs to hack files but discovers they don't use computers. He tells Skye to get ready for a big upload/download; she asks "How big?"; and he shoves a filing cabinet out the window, down upon their vehicle, lol. To those who couldn't get through the beginning of season one, I recommend beginning at "TRACKS". That is really where the show started to pick up speed, character development, and plot twists.
www.facebook.com/CatastropheComics < Comics, Collectibles, & Scarce Pop Culture T-Shirts 4 Sale!

Oh! And I actually want a tiny spoiler. Does he keep at least a portion of that ability to deliver insults and generally being a deadpan snarker in that overnice, non-confrontational way when inevitable visit to 'Tahiti' happens? He's competent and badass either way, but Clark Gregg is just so amazing at doing it! Would be a real shame.
Yes, don't worry about that. Coulson gets a lot of development on the show and is faced with a lot of difficult situations and challenges, but he always stays
Coulson
.
"We're a team, Garrus. There's no Shepard without Vakarian."

Oh, my sweet summer child
You know, I once read a quote somewhere on the internet where someone, after having seen the first few episodes of Game of Thrones, complained about how annoyingly obvious it was that Ned would end up on the Iron Throne. It's what I think of whenever I see threads like this.
"We're a team, Garrus. There's no Shepard without Vakarian."

On the more sour, but hopeful note: Is it too much to hope that Skye and Wade would get together and fall under the most severe magnitude of Joss Whedon's curse against happy couples and would die? Forever? Its the first time I would not mind in the least.
Oh, my sweet summer child

Yeah! Okay so the 'Tahiti' episodes are good, nice to be reassured (compelled to say 'Its a magical place'). And I love mindblowing things. Okay! The rest of Season 1 - sold!
On the more sour, but hopeful note: Is it too much to hope that Skye and Wade would get together and fall under the most severe magnitude of Joss Whedon's curse against happy couples and would die? Forever? Its the first time I would not mind in the least.
Oh! And I actually want a
tiny
spoiler. Does he keep at least a portion of that ability to deliver insults and generally being a deadpan snarker in that overnice, non-confrontational way when inevitable visit to 'Tahiti' happens? He's competent and badass either way, but Clark Gregg is just so amazing at doing it! Would be a real shame.
Aww. Props for your signature. One of the best game bromances.

Yes, it does get better. I'd suggest the midseason double episode of season one, "The Bridge" and "The Magical Place".
And stay away from spoilers, because the last third of the season will blow your fricking mind!
"We're a team, Garrus. There's no Shepard without Vakarian."