Star Trek like any other good sci-fi always had and has to have a sense of grounding and realism. One key anchor point that is relatable and functional.
For Star Trek this was fundamentally through respecting chain of command and anchorage to typical military structure. This meant every relationship, even between the captain and officers had always had a sense of professionalism and respect, with bonds being established through and in context to this.
Without that discipline, the premise of the Trek universe and components couldn't and doesn't sucessfully function. Something every Trek series achieved until now.
This is where Discovery has completely failed most notably in S3.
Even Amazon's Picard managed to maintain this and although the plot was a little weak it still felt like Trek.
The science and engineering components underpinning all the Star Trek series from time and space travel, multi-unniverses, gods/demi-gods, species actualisation & abilities to The Q is the entertainment and can be as radical as imagined.