The shows follow the rules and utilize all mechanics, but you need the context. As someone familiar with 3.5, Critical Role got me 95% to playing the 5th edition without touching the books.

Can’t say the same would apply to someone new to pen-and-paper RPGs.

I believe even “one book one rental” was kind of a gray area. Publishers probably didn’t sue at the time as the potential ruling was less certain, and they didn’t want a precedent not in their favour.

Welcome! Hope you have fun!

Don’t worry about understanding - all you need is patience and a hard skull to break through the more user-unfriendly pieces.