zlacker

Dystopian and horror-oriented science fiction have existed as long as the genre. Optimism is hard to do in a way that is both believable and interesting, which at the time TNG ran was fairly successfully achieved for a large audience.

I would argue that cynicism and fear-milking are easier paths (with certain exceptions for works which evoke multiple layered allegories and inspire contemplation), and I think this has become even more true in recent years for a host of reasons.

>>slfnfl+(OP)
IMO what mattered about Alien was not that it was dystopian or horror-oriented.

It is that it was about "the other people" who work below decks, or on freighters, or production facilities.

The comparison with the Star Trek franchise's efforts at the same thing says everything.