I avoided watching this for 20 (!) years, because the reviews were ambivalent. But it's really fun. It's not awesome, like the Kirk/Spock series, but it's also (thus far) not excessively moralizing like TNG.
This is the only Star Trek (for me) that captures the wonder of the original series. The writing isn't great, but that was never a thing with Star Trek. They're also a bit kinetic, say, with discovering new Warp-Civilizations.
I also really appreciate that the crew is basically white, except for one black guy that's not blackity-black.
Even the chicks are fine. The writing for the Asian chick is a bit insipid, but it accurately reflects the chick version of the 'hero's journey'.
Unfortunately, they've introduced Time Travel, so I guess a few of the episodes are going to be tedious.
What's your favourite trek? Mine's the original one, because Kirk/Spock/Bones/Scottie were such lovingly played characters.
The big 'issues' in Star Trek were never my thing, although I suppose that's usually why it's so beloved.
As an aside -- you should check out Shatner's skit on Saturday Night Live from about 30 years ago. It's hilarious.
TOS, TNG and DS9 are all equally good for different reasons IMO. Voyageur is next then Enterprise and everything else is bad.
Original series is my favorite but I enjoy all through Enterprise and have a number of Star Trek books now.
The one where he told fans to get a life? Yea that was funny