Part 6/9:
Comment sections overflowed with derision, particularly mocking the attempts to rebrand Sauron as a character akin to a shapeshifting, wig-wearing con artist. Fans ridiculed the idea that Sauron could deceive the Elves merely by donning a wig, calling it laughably simplistic and undermining the complexities of Tolkien’s lore.
Fan Backlash and Cultural Resistance
The audience response went beyond mere dislikes. Longtime Tolkien fans and fantasy enthusiasts criticized the show's narrative choices, characterizations, and deviations from source material. Many expressed disdain for what they saw as virtue signaling, race-bending casting choices, and flimsy plotlines that disrespected the franchise’s rich history.