Especially the 'one plot over ten episodes' thing. Ten episodes for one story is a feat of attention I don't think any average viewer is capable of

Especially when it's (probably) going to be spread over ten weeks. COE had high ratings through the five nights because (IMO) it was just five consecutive nights. If people have a whole week to think about the crappy writing, instead of just 24 hours, I can't see as many sticking with it.