[Lith]

I've heard that before too. And I agree that DS9 was a cut above the other ST's.

The issues brought up in the original ST are a little more nuanced than in the later series, but overall Star Trek works with a cast of characters that tries so hard to be an improved humanity that it rings a little hollow, rather less human than more. Too many characters are too often reasonable, and it's the aliens that need help, but there's a lack of idealistic difference between them, or even ongoing arguments from differing temperaments among the crewmembers, that wouldn't be affected by its episodic nature.

Star Trek gives us a crew that plays flute and listens to opera in its spare time; Babylon 5 gives us a crew that idolizes Daffy Duck and argues about the proper nature of Spoo in its spare time.

I also love the respect with which JMS handled a multitude of issues, especially regarding religion- he never sinks into letting any of his characters be mere caricactures.