I second many of your points. And, also…

“the purple D”

Had me immediately thinking, “Well, STO vanity shields are canon now, I guess.”

The intent behind my original reply was to complain and hope for a change in how dark recent Trek shows have been, except SNW. I know we all have our favorites; I’m just not at all a fan of this trend of the bad guys being cool in Star Trek. Again, in Star Trek. The casts, the acting, the production are all great and I’m glad more Trek exists; I, personally, just wish it was a bit more shiny.

Do I want those shows not to exist in the first place? No. I just don’t rewatch them like I do others, thus I don’t care to make pumpkins about starring characters who are not the characters I’d want in humanity’s future.

That’s great! My original en-edited reply congratulated you, but then I thought, “This is the internet. Burrito Trucks can’t carve pumpkins…” LOL

My favorite is the Mugato.

Fair point and well done (to the artists)!!

How about we carve a Spock or Picard or Mariner or really anyone else who isn’t a genocidal dictator? Hmm? Maybe?

No? Perhaps my dream for Star Trek has too much hope for humanity’s future? Not enough grit, tears, and flashy booms?