I think one of the reasons Pit Babe is working so well with such a wild premise is because of the relationships between the characters. At its core, Pit Babe is about family. What makes a family? What lengths will you go to protect your family?
The writers and actors know these characters, and as a result, every character relationship feels substantial. The focus is on the relationships, whether platonic, paternal, romantic, hostile, etc. This makes the plot more character-driven than plot-driven. Clear character motivations cause plot events. Things don’t just happen out of thin air for the characters to react to.
So when Jeff finally gives Alan a full smile, we beam too.
And when Kim becomes part of the x-hunter family, we know he’s where he was always meant to be.
And when Charlie is willing to risk his life for Babe, and Babe will do anything to avenge Charlie’s death, we root for their happy endings.
And when a ghost ship becomes canon…
We can wonder what other surprises are in store.
Anyways, these characters are family in one way or another, and that gives them purpose to get the guy, take down a truly evil pseudo-father/philanthropist, fake a death, and fight for love (all in the omegaverse).