Part 6/10:
Notably, there has been a slight uptick in the series’ audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes—from 38% after Season 1 to approximately 59% for Season 2. While this increase might suggest some level of audience satisfaction, it is crucial to interpret it critically. Many viewers who despised the first season may have simply chosen not to watch the second, thereby removing themselves from the "hate-watch" pool and skewing the percentage upwards.
This phenomenon points to a broader issue: the core audience’s dissatisfaction translates into mass disengagement. When millions of Tolkien fans feel alienated by choices that distort or ignore the source material—often infused with modern political agendas—they are less inclined to invest time or money into the franchise.