The franchise’s evolution since the 1960s reflects disconcerting trends in American society.
Came across this article, and it's a very interesting take on how Star Trek has changed with the times, and how modern audiences seem to have a harder time trusting institutions or imagining Trek's utopia.
I loved the nearly boundless optimism of TNG. It inspired me to believe in a better future. Watching Picard was depressing because they decided Starfleet was an org where a little corruption at the top could take the whole thing down. The Starfleet that inspired me didn't tolerate corruption at any level. Truth from an ensign was honored above a lie from an admiral and I liked it that way.
This is why I love TNG so much. Even though TOS is the original that laid the groundwork for everything, TNG took that "boundless optimism" and ran with it. Watching TNG inspires me to continue to self-improve and encourage it in others.