'People like what they like, without much caring about the writer's creative arc.'
.,,.,.
Ain't that the truth. Arthur Suillivan was convinced that his oratorios were his real work: much taken aback when Queen Victoria, after conferring his knighthood, said "We shall have one of your great works performed for the guests at Windsor. I think The Gondoliers would be a suitable one". [That's the story anyhow!]

~M~