You can't please everyone! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for tv adaptations that fans loved and hated. Beware of major spoilers ahead.
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00:00 You can forgive all of them. Make them see they made a mistake.
00:04 Make them understand.
00:06 Welcome to WatchMojo. Today we're counting down our picks for TV adaptations that fans loved and hated.
00:11 Beware of major spoilers ahead.
00:13 One will always corrupt. Two will divide.
00:17 But with three there is balance.
00:20 Number 10. Avatar The Last Airbender
00:24 Stand and fight!
00:25 For what? Why is this so important to you?
00:28 You're an enemy of the Fire Nation.
00:31 And that's it?
00:33 Eyebrows were raised when Netflix announced that they were giving Avatar the live-action treatment.
00:37 When it finally premiered, it polarized everyone.
00:40 While half of the crowd believed it was a good adaptation, the remaining viewers thought that it fell flat.
00:44 Praise was nearly universally given to the special effects and action sequences.
00:48 However, fans were more divided on the acting, storytelling, and the changes that were made to both the plot and characterizations.
00:54 This place used to be incredible. A place I couldn't wait to see.
00:58 A place where amazing things were created, not destroyed.
01:02 The changes to Sokka's personality and early inclusion of a mid-series main character Azula in the debut episodes were a few of the most cited complaints.
01:10 Since there are two more seasons on the way, the show will have more opportunities to either win over or further alienate its viewers.
01:16 I spoke to some of his crew. Word is, Jalf failed his officer training program three times.
01:21 Did I ask for your opinion?
01:23 Number 9. Elementary
01:25 You realize that because you protected him two years ago, you have the blood of an innocent woman on your hands, don't you?
01:30 Perhaps you'd like to go for two or three or four.
01:32 That's enough!
01:33 Controversy overshadowed Elementary before it began.
01:36 The show was released just two years after the BBC network debuted its take on The Detective.
01:41 As a result, Elementary was accused of copying the earlier show.
01:44 Despite the bad press, Elementary was met with a positive critical reception.
01:48 Both the writing and skillful lead performance from Johnny Lee Miller were complimented.
01:53 You loaded him like a weapon, then you pointed him squarely at your own wife.
02:00 You're insane.
02:02 No, he was insane, Doctor!
02:05 But not everything was as beloved.
02:07 The depictions of Mycroft and Moriarty, a move from London to New York, and the police procedural set up all came under fire.
02:14 Only Sherlock could solve the mystery of how Elementary made it to seven seasons while towing the line between love and hate.
02:19 Your father told me you said you were a detective.
02:21 I was a consultant. I wasn't paid for my services, and therefore I answer to no one but myself.
02:26 Number 8. Fallout
02:28 So, it is with sound mind and body that I hereby submit my application to the council to participate in the triennial trade with Vault 32.
02:36 This video game franchise is incredibly dense and filled with years of lore.
02:40 For some, that's why they're having trouble getting into the live-action series.
02:43 Unlike other shows that are straight adaptations, Fallout is considered canon with the games and takes place within the shared world.
02:50 It even continued various storylines.
02:52 So while many praised the show, some hardcore Fallout fans took issue with the way certain characters were portrayed.
02:58 There were also supposed breaks in continuity and established lore.
03:01 Oh, cool, cool, cool. Do your thumbs up.
03:04 Yeah, you know, given the state of everything, I prefer not to if it's all right.
03:08 Why not? That's what you're famous for.
03:11 Fans of New Vegas were especially critical of the liberties the series seemingly took with that story.
03:16 While not without its detractors, a strong debut guaranteed that the show would get a season two.
03:20 I'll admit I'm sometimes afraid that mean old world will change us instead.
03:27 Number 7. The Witcher
03:29 A reclusive sorcerer who uses an alias and hires a young girl to procure him a witcher.
03:35 You don't want my monster. You want me to kill yours?
03:40 Andrei Sobkovsky's The Witcher was once one of Netflix's shiniest crown jewels.
03:44 It was based on a fantasy saga whose video game adaptations have sold millions of copies to date.
03:49 At first, the action and fantastical lore pulled people in.
03:52 Universal praise was also given to Henry Cavill's tough yet vulnerable performance.
03:56 I heard it all. Fire, screams and death.
04:02 The same sounds that I heard here as a boy, hiding in the cellar, waiting for the humans to come for us.
04:10 Unfortunately, those positives couldn't distract fans from some bigger issues.
04:14 Diehard fans of the franchise weren't happy with how the series majorly deviated from big plot points.
04:19 The non-linear storytelling of the debut season also threw fans off.
04:23 And after news broke that Cavill would leave the show before the fourth season, some fans wrote the show off altogether.
04:28 It would take a number of spells to heal the show's damaged reputation.
04:32 She possesses the power to destroy us all.
04:35 I don't believe anyone has that power.
04:38 Number six, The Last of Us.
04:40 So, is it everything you hoped for?
04:45 It's got its ups and downs. You can't deny that view.
04:49 Naughty Dog's video game is widely regarded as one of the best games ever made.
04:53 For the most part, HBO's post-apocalyptic adaptation lived up to the hype.
04:57 Lots of fans loved the show. Its accuracy to the game, cinematic filmmaking, and emotional power all received acclaim.
05:03 So time heals all wounds, I guess.
05:09 It wasn't time that did it.
05:11 However, others still found the series to be overrated.
05:13 Hardcore fans felt that certain scenes and moments simply played better in the source game.
05:18 Others disliked that certain action sequences were left out, and that the infected humans from the game didn't get more screen time.
05:24 If the show brings the events of the controversial second game to life, the series will likely divide the fanbase further.
05:29 I didn't ask for this.
05:30 You and me both. This isn't going to end well, Tess. We need to go back.
05:35 Number five, Ms. Marvel.
05:42 What are you guys wearing?
05:45 What are you wearing?
05:46 This miniseries was tasked with appealing to diehard fans of both the original comic and the greater MCU.
05:51 Did it succeed? Well, that depends on who you ask.
05:54 Many loved the show's inventive visuals and cultural representation.
05:58 Iman Vellani's lead performance was universally beloved.
06:01 There is no normal. There's just us and what we do with what we've been given.
06:07 While she was receiving accolades, the show got flack for having a lighter tone than most MCU projects.
06:12 But the biggest complaint was reserved for Kamala's powers.
06:15 While Ms. Marvel historically has stretchy and shape-shifting powers in the source material, she got hard light powers on the show.
06:21 Some argued that this change caused metaphors about body positivity and acceptance to be lost.
06:26 Although Vellani's future as Ms. Marvel seems secure, it's doubtful the show will ever be expanded upon.
06:31 But you sure are and always have been our own little Ms. Marvel.
06:41 #4. Star Trek Picard
06:50 Was Jean-Luc Picard's return a fun bit of fan service or a painful reminder of better days?
06:55 That's the question at the heart of Star Trek Picard.
06:57 Throughout the series' run, it captured the hearts of many fans and critics.
07:00 Its third season received particular acclaim.
07:03 Additionally, its timely themes were considered interesting, it was well shot, and everyone liked seeing Patrick Stewart again.
07:09 But it was criticized for its dour tone, slow pace, and on-the-nose metaphors.
07:13 "They've left us behind, Picard. They're generations beyond us."
07:17 "In one sense, yes. But in another, as you said, they are children."
07:22 Many disagreed with the deconstruction of Stewart's legendary character.
07:26 While Star Trek Discovery also received criticism, Picard arguably got more heat.
07:30 The show's acclaimed third season was seen as a desperate attempt to right a sinking ship.
07:35 "If you find that answer, will you let me know? Because I never did."
07:42 #3. The Lord of the Rings The Rings of Power
07:44 "One object for all Middle-Earth."
07:48 "I know it sounds strange, High King, but surely we should exhaust every possible solution."
07:53 Fans have been very protective of The Lord of the Rings over the years.
07:57 Since the seminal novel and Peter Jackson's groundbreaking films were both masterpieces, the show had Hobbit-sized shoes to fill.
08:04 The show's production values and depiction of new aspects of Middle-Earth gave viewers reasons to celebrate.
08:09 To others, the show is an absolute disgrace that stomped on Tolkien's legacy.
08:13 "I have been awake since before the breaking of the first silence. In that time, I have had many names."
08:23 Criticisms ranged far and wide, including major lore deviations, controversial portrayals of certain characters, and metaphors that felt heavy-handed for some.
08:31 Deviating from Tolkien's work was always going to be a risk.
08:34 Time will tell if the show can keep bringing in old fans while taking new turns.
08:38 #2. The Walking Dead
08:40 "I'm sorry this happened to you."
08:46 When The Walking Dead first began, it followed its acclaimed source material quite closely.
08:50 Many comic fans loved the show, claiming that it was an accurate adaptation that beautifully captured the characters, tone, and story beats.
08:57 The mega-hit did occasionally get flack for the slow pacing of certain episodes and arcs.
09:01 Additionally, characters like Andrea barely resembled their more confident comic book counterparts.
09:06 "I can do it myself." "No." "No, I have to. Well, I still can't."
09:14 While the show seemed bulletproof for a while, the controversial resolution to season six's cliffhanger angered fans.
09:20 It also didn't help that Carl Grimes was killed on the show despite surviving to the end of the comics.
09:25 These radical decisions and more led certain fans to shamble away.
09:28 However, the flagship show still pulled in millions of viewers until the grand finale.
09:32 "Carol?" "Yeah?" "You deserve a happy ending, too."
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09:53 Number one, Game of Thrones.
09:55 "My king has married and I owe my new queen a wedding gift."
10:00 "No!"
10:07 Even before the unanimously hated eighth season, not everyone in the fandom loved Game of Thrones.
10:12 To be fair, most fans praised the first four seasons.
10:15 Not only did they adapt the source material well, but the episodes were well shot and full of towering acting performances.
10:21 But the tide started to turn around season five.
10:23 "I'm going to Dorne. And I'm bringing our daughter home."
10:27 Since the showrunners ran out of material to adapt, they had to use the limited information they had to keep the show going.
10:33 This approach caused fans to wonder if the showrunners got the characters wrong.
10:36 Outside of new plot points, fans disliked how the show adapted the sand snakes and more.
10:41 The series continued to split fans until everyone came together to resent the much-loathed finale.
10:46 "No, your grace, I don't want it." "And I don't want to be king."
10:51 "I don't deserve it."
10:55 Did you love or hate these shows? Let us know in the comments below.
10:58 "I thought I was wise, but I wasn't. I thought I knew what was right, but I didn't."
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11:13 [Music]