Yeah, putting aside that not everyone has seen TOS who is watching this show and doesn't know Chapel is safe, I didn't interpret this as some kind of attempt to make the audience think Chapel was going to die. The purpose of this happening was all about what it shows about Spock and the scenes and character development that come from that.

And I think in this case it was quite effective and I wouldn't change it to something else. Spock was holding off the order and he was really upset because he didn't want to give the order that kills Chapel and M'Benga (though he has more attachment to Chapel). The threat to their lives is a vital part of this story they're telling about Spock and it wouldn't have the same effect if they changed the situation to something else. Seeing him have to give the order, then have them be possibly alive, but then having Chapel seem to be dead and Spock himself bring her back was very powerful for me and I don't think that could be replaced with something else or a different kind of situation and have the same impact on either Spock or the audience.

Both the scene in the transporter room and in sick bay later were excellent excellent scenes for Spock and highlights of the episode for me. Ethan Peck's acting was really strong in those scenes too — I'm so glad to have him playing Spock.