I'm not disputing that, but I don't think the floodgates would have opened like they did (and I certainly don't think it would be remembered fondly today) if not for the likes of Michael Piller taking the reins from Gene Roddenberry and Maurice Hurley in season 3. As has been said, the first two seasons were comprised largely of elements that made it seem like a pale imitator of the original series and filled with smug, flawless, unrelatable characters who were also pale imitators of their namesake. Maybe that was still (somewhat) head and shoulders above other contemporary fare, but I'm of the mind that, had it not changed, it would have died a smug little death and be remembered in the same breath as such classics as After-MASH, What's Happenin' Now, The New WKRP in Cincinnati, and any other television sequel that failed to establish an identity outside of its successful parent. It's season 3 onward that not only gave the show its steam but launched the '90s Trek franchise and the TV sci-fi boom you speak of.

In my opinion, of course... ;-)