update: i watched Encounter at Farpoint and, having been reminded of my fondness for these characters, i ultimately decided to start Voyager.
and because fedi desperately needs another opinion about Star Trek (/s), here are some cold takes on an old show (so far thru S1E14).
pros: Kes, holo-doctor, Tuvok, sapphic nerdery between Janeway and B'Elanna, Vidiians (cool idea).
neutrals: Paris & Kim. Chakotay. occasional rehashed TNG plot gimmicks.
cons: Neelix. like, more con than i expected even.