Part 7/8:
With Season 2 on the horizon, the outlook appears grim. Industry analysts and fans alike expect the upcoming season to be even more contentious, given the already massive disappointment. Historically, only a fraction of viewers who began Season 1 are likely to return for Season 2, which probably won't do much to salvage the show's reputation or Amazon’s investment.
Skeptics and fans of Tolkien alike are skeptical, considering the show’s controversial departure from Tolkien's original lore and the reception it received. Many are curious to see how many who abandoned the series will come back, perhaps just to witness its inevitable further decline.