Thank you for focusing on characters we'd like to know more about. That includes Uhura, Sam, Una, and now Pelia.
This episode did that, and it felt like a good TNG episode -- not *too much* of any one character, a little bit here and there through various scenes of multiple characters interacting with each other in different settings, all under the umbrella of a central focus on Uhura.
Spoiler-free thoughts:
Yes the alien plot has been done a million times before but we all like that idea, a similar idea to TNG: Home Soil. It's just the Trek version of being against deforestation or destroying the environment or whatever, so relax people.
The sibling rivalry/impress dad thing was a cliche but still good because we all like those two characters.
The Spock romance subplot (are we done with it yet?) didn't overwhelm this time around.
Big points for the James Kirk actor NOT doing a William Shatner impression and trying to sound or behave like Shatner. He has done a good job so far of making the character his own.
I like how much booze they all drink, the show is basically supposed to depict the wild times of the era (remember the Klingon barfight Scott got into on TOS?) So keep getting them liquored up on Saurian brandy.