The Altered Carbon ordeal is interesting. Like you mentioned, everyone I know who watched it loved the first season and hated the second season. I thought second season was ok. Ok, then it's immediately cancelled, I'm guessing for lack of viewership after the first season (and man, if they maintained the first season it could've been such an epic 6 season show. There was a lot of story left to tell).
But what's really interesting, maybe related to "the message" you mention, is that critics were the complete opposite of the audience and liked the second season even more! There was an article on HN recently about how critics seem out-of-touch with the audience. This was quite the glaring example.
There was just too much that changed between S1 and S2 for your average audience member. Viewers like evolutionary changes and not revolutionary changes season to season
It used to be that I’d binge most originals - but no more.
Example is Altered Carbon. First season excellent. Next season almost unwatchable because of “the message” above story quality. Same with Witcher.
I mostly keep it around for the “Netflix and Chill” dates.