I think it's better than TMP, TSFS and XI
Which is odd as he reportedly hated it.
Gene Roddenberry was an idealist in the best sense. He disliked the overall militarism brought in by Nicholas Meyer. Meyer's belief in the future is now, that was different to Roddenberry's. You only have to look at The Motion Picture and all clean, shiny futurism. Much of Bob Fletcher's costume design probably upset him. The US Army style General's ribbons for instance, worn by Cartwright and his fellow Admirals no doubt crystalised in his mind, the deminishing role he played in the films. At a guess, I picture him being consulted merely as a courtesy, leaving his only recourse to get bitter... Looking at TNG until his death, it does feel like a compromise... somewhere between what had worked in the films and what Roddenberry wanted Star Trek to ultimately evolve into. Parts of those early seasons remind you strongly of TMP, but more colourfully done.
Perhaps... maybe age had nothing to do with that. More to do with being squeezed out after TMP and simply being a consultant perhaps? You have to admit Gene Roddenberry seemed more tolerant and a team player, during his younger days working on TOS. Allowing Gene L. Coon, Fred Freiberger et all to run with ever increasing "Space Navy at War" elements, that people like Harve Bennett and Nicholas Meyer simply took to their logical conclusion. Or "laying it on thick" with the Nautical as one of them said. GR just resented being on the outside looking in on what successors were doing to his baby. He must've been glad of the second chance Paramount gave him with TNG, to exercise full control over Star Trek again after being left out of the loop post-TMP.
*raises hand*
