I enjoyed it. Yeah, you can make the argument it doesn't match up with what would have been done as a finale in 1970, and you would likely be right. But, really from the getgo with McKennah, it never was what they would have done in 1969-1970. And, its a nice go-between TOS and TMP, which I think is what they were going for. As much as I didn't like McKennah, I wish she would have had a happier ending, but it was necessary, I think. As was Smith. That storyline was one that surprised me in a very good way. And overall, the episode works for me. My one complaint was that, and maybe I'm forgetting something here, but I don't feel as though they adequately set up McCoy's departure from Starfleet. Felt like it came out of nowhere (other than that's what had to happen to match up with TMP).
Still, very well done.
Still, very well done.