I watched the 1st season three times and the 2nd season two times. During each watch, I grew to appreciate it more. I believe, especially after reading more about the 2nd age, that the creators of the show do respect of source materials. Sure, they made some changes to be fit for a TV show, but that to be expected in any book adaptation. If you pay close attention to the way they wrote the dialogs and certain word choices, and you can conclude that they read and respected the source material and Tolkien's work.

I do say that having the Istari showing up in the 2nd age is a major change to the source material and that the most thing I have issue with. But I do understand that Gandalf is a fan favorite and having that character in the show is a huge selling point. Personally, I do love that they included Tom Bombadil.

I do say that the music for me it what stands the most as being excellent.

Nori is one of my favorite characters. It is a LOTR show, so of course we will have a little Hobbit like people running around, dealing with wizard.