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.
Excellent show. It took a little bit to get it's tone, but half way through the first season it really hit its stride.
The third season of the show is some of the best sci-fi ever made with political and social commentary that rivals things like ST:TNG's "Measure of a Man" and ST:DS9's "Siege of AR-558", but with a good mix of humor similar to ST:LD.
If you haven't watched Orville, you're missing out on some absolutely fantastic Sci-Fi. I'm only sad it's unlikely to get a fourth season, because it deserves it.