Part 2/9:
From trailers to interviews, each new piece of publicity seems to deepen the controversy. Fans increasingly express their dissatisfaction, citing a growing gap between Tolkien's canonical work and the series' depiction of Middle-earth. The show's creators appear to acknowledge this dissonance indirectly, with some commentators interpreting statements as admissions that the series is “non-canonical,” meaning it does not adhere to Tolkien's established lore.