The latest season of HBO's True Detective, titled "True Detective: Night Country," is under the spotlight due to alleged review bombing. After the season premiered on January 14, there was a noticeable difference between the critics' glowing reviews and a lower audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have rated the show at 92%, while audiences initially scored it lower, at 69%—a figure that has since increased to 72%. Showrunner Issa López highlighted the issue on social media, urging fans who enjoyed the first episode to leave a Rotten Tomatoes review to offset the negative ratings. López attributed the review bombing to fans of the show's first season but later retracted the generalized statement after deleting the original post. True Detective: Night Country is notable for being the first season without series creator Nic Pizzolatto as showrunner, with López directing all episodes. The series has been praised for Jodie Foster and Kali Reis's performances and has been called a chilling new entry to the franchise.

What is review bombing, and why is it a problem for shows like True Detective?

Review bombing is a coordinated effort where a large number of people post negative reviews of a show, film, or product to artificially lower its ratings and impact its public perception. This can be a significant issue for shows like True Detective as it may misrepresent audience sentiment and deter potential viewers, despite the critical acclaim a season might receive.

True Detective is a well-known crime anthology series that started airing in 2014. The series has received high praise for its writing, atmosphere, and performances, particularly the first season starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. Each season features new characters and storylines, with the setting often playing a crucial part in the overarching mystery.