Part 7/9:
What makes the situation more tragic is that the ratings prove the failure—the latest episodes are the worst in the franchise’s history, and the viewership numbers continue to decrease. The franchise that once thrived on creative storytelling and character-driven narratives now seems to be entangled in a controversy over representation, which critics say has watered down the quality of the show.
Despite attempts to justify casting decisions based on diversity and representation, the reality remains clear: the new approach appears to have destroyed the franchise’s popularity, and the ratings serve as stark evidence of fan dissatisfaction.