Part 3/8:
The backlash wasn’t limited to critics or casual fans. Dedicated Tolkien enthusiasts, who had hoped for a respectful reimagining, voiced their frustrations loudly. They accused the series of mishandling Tolkien’s world, twisting characters, and disregarding the rich lore Tolkien painstakingly crafted. Such discontent was amplified by the competitive landscape, notably by House of the Dragon, which managed to outperform The Rings of Power on multiple fronts, including simultaneous streaming and linear broadcasts on HBO.
The ratings decline was evident; what could have been a multi-season hit turned into a potential cancellation candidate. Nonetheless, Amazon pressed on, seemingly committed to extending the franchise, despite the glaring failure and the significant fan backlash.