It has another purpose. If the game didn't have the montage. They'd have to introduce Viktor into a mission. Which would be a longer intro. They didn't want to do that. So you meet him in those glimpses. And in 6 months, you became friends. So the whole owing money thing "works" better. They skipped building up character connects. Which is why people don't feel invested. This BADLY affects T-Bug. Because they couldn't even bother to make a mission for her. Yo Jackie died. Here's his wake and GF. T-Bug, who's that? T-Bug should have been reduced to a AI like Delamain.
I agree. Those opening characters feel a bit wasted its why I like the nomad opening best. Sure its only a little bit longer, but at least you feel like you went through some shit with Jackie.