[Iron Giant]

I got the distinct impression that the writers were saying,

"So, then fans and actors don't like our brilliant writing, huh? Well we'll show YOU!

We'll kill off a popular character with no emotions shown,
we'll setup a huge speech for 3 seasons about the birth of the Federation then cut it off
then we'll remind everyone that we USED to have a good show by putting this puny little Enterprise show in the context of our only real success, TNG. So THERE!"