I think the altair lander or something like it (Dynetics HLS) should have been an option for the HLS. Doesn't need a crazy amount of refueling missions for one trip and already had design development pre-artemis, with design guidance from Gene Cernan and Neil Armstrong.

Starship is so over complicated and overkill.

I don't think they need to reinvent the wheel, just make something that works and gets people down and back. Starship is best suited for cargo not people.

Curious on what everyone else thinks?

I want to ask if this community has any predictions, particularly someone smarter than myself.