"If memory serves, this is the first real praise (jms) has for ST.
I think he is gaining real confidence about his own show."

I think you're trying to connect two unrelated things. 1) I have
always had confidence in my own show, or I wouldn' be here. 2) Up until
now, minus some good things in TNG, there hasn't been very much noteworthy
(imo) *about* ST that I could say. Now there is.

jms