I empathize with the writer, and as someone who read LOTR a couple decades ago now (yikes) I agree that this show (and to some extent even "The Hobbit") didn't

I empathize with the writer, and as someone who read LOTR a couple decades ago now (yikes) I agree that this show (and to some extent even "The Hobbit") didn't _feel like Tolkein_. I think he nails part of why, but in general the problem is these shows (due to the economics behind them) have to make people "relate to it" like a modern Disney/Marvel/Pixar movie, whereas the story is set in a time which is _not_ relatable. When you know this, every part where a character does something that is "too much in line with modern sensibilities" can feel inauthentic, and suddenly "break the experience of watching it". At the same time, _shrug_. It does seem inevitable.