This is so lovely! Everything I wanted, especially all your thoughts on Kelpians as aliens for our time. I have had thoughts on Saru as an alien for the Age of Anxiety but you lay it out so much more eloquently. It makes me almost want to rewatch the first season with both eyes on Saru's POV and arc of development.

Does Saru get much love in fan fiction? I can see arguments for why he might and those for why he might not....