When I first started this show I found it to be a really awkward mix of comedy and seriousness. It had some jokes thrown it at the most inopportune times as some kind of comic relief from a really serious situation. Perhaps the first half of the first season was actually a bit rough or maybe the show just grew on me, but by season 2 I found myself loving this show.
To me it seems as every bit as comfy, intellectually interesting and even funny as some classic Star Treks while still clearly being its own thing. I wish more comfy space shows like this would get made.
What are your thoughts on The Orville? Also I miss Alara.
I think season2 of Strange new worlds might be my favorite star trek season. Its focusing more on inter crew relationships again instead of useless power creep like discovery did. The crew feels like a family again like it did in TNG and Voyager, while also leaving you with a new concept each episode something for your brain to digest, something you hadn't seen yet. I think they succeeded in the balancing act something new while infused with the original essence of star trek.