I’d take any number of additional SNW episodes. It’s the best of the new series alongside lower decks.

I do like Strange New Worlds and feel that it captures the style and tone of classic 90s Star Trek, that most fans love, best. However, I think the number of whimsical episodes relative to the overall length of the season compared to the length of seasons from the 90s tips the balance too far. I haven’t crunched any numbers for this comparisons, it’s just vibes but even if the ratio was the same, in a shorter season I feel you need more serious episodes to maintain plot tension and character empathy.

That option becomes a more remote opportunity with each passing year as stock diminishes so trying to find a long-term solution now makes sense.