I was the same way. I happened to turn on Pluto a while back, and TNG was on. I remembered seeing it as a kid and not being a fan, but I found myself watching every episode that came on.
I got so wrapped up in it that I got Paramount+ just to watch every season, then start on all the others I’ve missed.
IMHO, Picard is a better captain than Kirk (I expect downvotes for this).
You guys accepting American defectors? A land without Toys R Us is a land that I don’t want to be in.