Snw incorporated an anti colonial critique of star fleet but then backed off to make them heroes, undoing starfleet s support of one side in a war that bioengineered a species weapon (uhura and Spock communicated with it; cf Spock & Kirk & Horta vs miners). This after an episode where they killed 7000 humans who scavenged alien technology, which troubled young Kirk but not pike. Kirk as captain was fairly ruthless, the Horta excepted.