Worth mentioning that this sort of thing was doable with Star Trek because it was largely episodic. Didnāt matter if you missed many of them.
Contrast with Babylon 5 or even its Star Trek knockoff, DS9. Both a lot more arc-based, both dealing with themes of the oppression involved in occupation. Thatās the deal from day one.
Good job they got away with it. I think the Mollari / GāKar arc is one of the most satisfying things ever put on screen, let alone TV sci-fi.