I guess I just feel like there’s something to be said when you have what seems to be a minor side story taking place through multiple episodes, where you get a little info here and there that doesn’t seem to be related, but then it all gets pulled together. And sure, there are some fantastic stories that take place in a single episode. Still one of my favorite episodes is ST:TNG “Cause and Effect”, and I remember being so pissed at the TV station at the time for totally screwing up the airing of the new show until I figured out what was going on.
I just feel like ST in general adheres too much to the doctrine each episode being completely self-contained. Sure there are some broad-stroke changes that occur, but there’s also an awful lot where you can watch episodes in any random order and not miss a thing. Or maybe I’ve just missed a lot over all these years and simply not realized it.