Los Angeles, CA – Showrunner Issa López of True Detective season 4 recently expressed concerns about the show being review bombed by certain individuals. López took to social media to request fans who enjoyed the premiere of Night Country to log in to Rotten Tomatoes and help counter the audience score that had fallen slightly below the critic score.
Although López later retracted her statement regarding the individuals review bombing the show, she expressed satisfaction with the increase in the audience score. However, the situation is somewhat perplexing because the score was not originally as low as López had indicated. Initially, the score was at 69%, and when she tweeted about it increasing, it reached 75%. Yet, a few days after the premiere, the score returned to its original position at 69%.
In fairness, considering the nature of the show, it is expected that some individuals would complain about it being “woke” due to its diverse cast and focus on indigenous women. However, upon reviewing the recent one-star reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, it is evident that most criticisms revolve around aspects such as boredom, lack of engagement, unimpressive acting, and subpar CGI. There is little to no explicit mention of culture wars or any deliberate attempt to bomb the show’s rating.
Looking at ratings on IMDB, the episode has a slightly improved score of 7.7/10, with a larger number of users voting. The distribution of scores on IMDB reveals a range from 6 to 10, indicating a wider appreciation of the premiere. This distribution demonstrates that the ratings are not driven by review bombing.
It is important to note that this is only the first episode of True Detective: Night Country. These scores represent initial impressions from viewers who have only seen the premiere, whereas critics have had the opportunity to view more episodes. With a total of six episodes, there is ample time for the mystery to unfold. Judging the entire show based solely on the premiere is premature, and it is not accurate to claim that review bombing is taking place. The show’s trajectory may change over time, and it is possible that this season is simply a 7/10 season.
In conclusion, it is essential to differentiate between genuine audience feedback and review bombing. While certain criticisms and disparities exist between audience and critic scores, it is crucial to allow the show to progress and let viewers form opinions based on the full season. Time will reveal the true reception and quality of True Detective: Night Country.