Part 9/12:
The primary grievance among longtime fans is the loss of the series' original spirit: storytelling that included everyone, regardless of background, and avoided lecturing. Instead, the new series feels like a message platform, and its attempt at injecting "diversity" and "representation" often devolves into tokenism, heavy-handed symbolism, and blatant virtue signaling.
The various attempts to modernize the show's identity—casting diverse actors, addressing contemporary social issues—are seen by many as diluting its core narrative. The franchise's adaptation into politicized content has alienated segments of its audience, leading to an inevitable decline in ratings and relevance.