Yes, I have been watching Star Trek DS9. I'm noticing how the show started off in traditional Trek format, with 100% individual episodes that were geared for syndication. A few seasons in, you start to get the big story arcs, like the Dominion War... and that's when things really start to get good. BUT, it was cool every once in a while to have a side story that wasn't part of the arc. It gave a lot of variety and depth to the show. It kind of makes you feel like there's really a whole Trek universe. That not everybody was involved in the war, and that people still were trying to live their lives despite the war.

No.

While you can tell a tighter story in the shorter format a TV series for me is not only about the main Plot. It is also about building a rich world. Getting to know the characters besides the main plot, getting to know the side characters.