Rotten Tomato scores may not tell the whole story, but they certainly provide significant insights. Whether for better or worse (often leaning towards the latter), this entertainment rating site, which owes its origin to Roger Ebert’s influence, has become a benchmark for success and failure in today’s cinematic landscape. It’s a tool for cinephiles to discern which Christopher Nolan films are the cream of the crop or to validate that “E.T.” remains Spielberg’s magnum opus even four decades after its release. Additionally, Rotten Tomatoes serves as a yardstick to gauge the progression of ongoing series from one season to another. A prime example of this is Prime Video’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.”

The first season of this ambitious Middle-earth saga launched to a cacophony of mixed reactions from the diverse strata of Tolkien enthusiasts, ranging from diehard fans to casual viewers. The backlash was so fierce that Amazon had to delay reviews on its own platform in an attempt to mitigate trolling behavior. Ultimately, Rotten Tomatoes mirrored this polarization: Critics awarded it an 83% Certified Fresh rating, whereas the audience-driven Popcornmeter reflected a stark contrast with a dismal 38%.

Now, with the official premiere of Season 2, three of its eight episodes were released simultaneously on opening night. This substantial sample size has been met with a notably warmer reception from viewers. As of this moment, the audience score for Season 2 has climbed to a commendable 67%, marking an impressive nearly 30% increase from Season 1. Even more remarkable is the critics’ score, which has surged nine percentage points to an eye-popping 92%. This marks a significant turnaround. While audience scores can be skewed by polarized review-bombing, the fact that virtually the same cohort of critics returned two years later to award such a high rating suggests that showrunners JD Payne and Patrick McKay have successfully elevated the series between seasons. The challenge now lies in maintaining this momentum throughout the rest of the season and aiming for even loftier achievements in Season 3.

With Rotten Tomatoes offering a snapshot of both critical and popular opinions, it’s clear that “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” is on an upward trajectory. The improved ratings indicate that the show’s creators have addressed past criticisms and are delivering a more engaging experience. The evolution from Season 1 to Season 2 underscores the dynamic nature of series development and highlights the potential for further growth and refinement in future seasons.