The part of your statement I would disagree with is the fact DS9 was NOT following the same vanilla formula as the other shows. Despite resistance they created multi episodic arcs and serialized the show more than it had ever been. Plus it was a starbase based show which allowed more conflict between the characters along with addressing religious issues and even showed the federation struggling to hold on to their idealism in the face of a losing war. The only thing DS9 had in common with the other shows was the Star Trek name. IMO Voyager was just a pale imitation of TNG and Enterprise couldn't even follow it's own original premise.
It also doesn't just happen for the lolz. 'Beneficial traits' and all that. Bloody hell, 300-500 years is nothing. Frankenstein is nearly 200 years old. Anyone think Shelley was sporting an extra arm?
A virus that they were given a cure for a hundred or so years before they were born? Nope. Still ain't buying it.
I think they look fantastic. Easily the most alien and predatory version of Klingons we've yet seen. I'm going to embrace the change because I think we're about to get a fresh new perspective on Trek that will give us thoughtful and interesting Star Trek on TV that's long overdue. Chances needed to be taken, and the formula needed to be shaken up. I welcome it. They look great. I really wonder if TNG could have survived our own fandom had the internet existed in the late '80s? I honestly don't know. But I do know what I like, and I liked these Klingons and the DSC trailer overall --- much more than I was anticipating. I'm much more interested in and excited for DSC after seeing the trailer.
Or, they are trying to provide that familiar hook with human crewmembers. Same reason Luke, Han and Leia are human. It's an old storytelling trope that has functioned quite well for several thousand years. I heard a commentary that the sharks had not had a major evolutionary adjustment in 50 million years, with some estimates. How would humanity evolve? I have a feeling that Star Trek wouldn't have survived the way it did if the Internet had existed at TNG's production.
That's funny that you mention that because as I was typing it out I was totally thinking, 'Well, besides DS9, that was way different and way better.' When I made the 18th season remark, I meant it as TNG to VOY to ENT as 7, 7, 4. Cheers to you, I love DS9.
Fictional alien species can change in just decades.. Fictional human representations remain constant... Yeah that makes sense.
The fictional aliens probably shouldn't be changing in decades either. Are there examples of that in Trek?
Changes in humans 200 years from now will be cybernetic, not natural evolution. And there'll probably be a whole lot of cybernetics in humans in the future.
I'm ok with re-imagining the Klingon's look. One does have to keep in mind there needs to be flexibility in the creative expression a newer series can have, hence you'll get these drastic changes I understand people are concerned with atm? However, as I suspect may have already been pointed out, my main concern is if the make-up hampers the actors expressions, rather aide them. The Klingons I saw in the trailer seemed to lack a bit of variety so in these areas I'm a bit concerned.
Mutation happens for the lolz...if a random change doesn't diminish reproductive success, it won't unnecessarily be selected against.