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.
He does, and so do the writers/producers who took over after he left. If I remember correctly, this was also due to studio interference, who wanted another "angle" and prevented the production staff from telling the story they wanted to tell. The DVDs for the show are quite interesting, as a lot of the extra content and interviews explore the failings of the show (kinda odd). The people responsible for the time war angle left at the end of season 3 (I think), which left the show on the alien Nazi time traveler cliffhanger season finale (LOL), which was quickly and unceremoniously wrapped up and never visited again in season 4 (under the direction of the new writers/producers).
One thing I sincerely miss with streaming services and digital-only downloads; the DVD extras..
I try to stick to physical media as much as possible. It's the superior form of content, especially with how much they're changing or removing stuff in real time. The only benefit to non-physical media is the convenience. I'd rather not sell my soul for convenience.