Shatner is my God.
Oh and I love ALL Trek and have seen it all multiple times. TNG is my least favorite series. Preachy and bland. However TNG gave us as much foundation as TOS did that was then built on by the next three series. Just one example, if DS9 made you a Klingon fan or you love B'Elanna especially then TNG will help you appreciate the culture and the politics all the more. They took a race of bully boys from TOS and developed them into an old and noble culture with it's own history and religion, and DS9 and B'Elanna's stories continued that. Then we get ENT who goes back and answers, quite magnificently, an age old mystery that even Worf refused to reveal the answer to.
All the series are woven together and though they have different appeals they each contribute hugely to the Star Trek world, its races and its history.
Good points Teacake! I admire your eloquence.