I use Kira exclusively. When using Doc, it just seems like it takes to long to kill things. I may end up the fight with more hp left but the fights just seem to drag out. With Kira and I banging away, we just blow through encounters.
I believe the first flirt chance occurs after nar shaddaa and is a ds choice. if you skip this one, there are others that open up later that are ls choices.
ran into my first 50s last night.
(I'm 23 or so I think)
I've liked the system all they way through beta. Sure you are going to get creamed from time to time, but even as a lvl 10 I felt that I could always contribute to the team goals.