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Post by Andorinha on Sept 2, 2022 9:49:10 GMT -6
Ooops! OK, so now everyone knows I cannot read calendar dates... LOL, well, as soon as anyone does get to see it...
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Post by Stormrider on Sept 2, 2022 16:31:55 GMT -6
It is on Amazon Prime. It's a mini TV series with episodes. I watched the first episode and plan to watch the next one tonight.
I can't get used to Elrond. Hugo Weaving is in my mind too firmly. The male elves have short hair (most of them). It was nice seeing Galadriel as a child along with other elf children.
The actress who plays Galadriel is easier to accept visually after being used to Cate Blanchet. Galadriel is after Sauron who killed her brother Feanor (I think). She is on a vendetta. So by the time LOTR time frame arrives, it seems odd that she is not hot on Sauron's trail. Maybe ROP will explain how she cools down.
It was nice to see the two trees of Valinor if only for a fleeting moment.
The cinematography and CGI is pretty good. Some stunning backdrops.
I thought the way the Harfoots hide themselves from travellers was pretty cool. They are much more Earthy than The Shire hobbits. The Tween Harfoot Lass is named Nori, which is rather odd considering it is a Dwarf name!
The new characters take some getting used to and their story lines, of course, aren't Cannon, which we had hints at.
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Post by Stormrider on Sept 2, 2022 18:27:56 GMT -6
Episode Two
A human crash lands near the Harfoots in a meteor but it is not a hot meteor. Nori decides to help him without telling her family. The man doesn't speak at all and seems pretty weak and scraggly and dirty. I wonder if he is one of the Blue Istari Wizards.
Moria is pretty cool. I like how they made it. The Dwarf women are also around and about and they do NOT have beards! Durin (the IIIrd?) and his wife are friends of Elrond. Durin's home inside Moria is pretty cool and sort of reminds me of the LOTRO Dwarf homes in the game. Elrond is going to help Celibrimbor and wants to get the Dwarfs to help build some kind of forge for creating great things that will get Celibrimbor great reknown for his works.
Galadrial jumped the ship that was taking her to Valinor and she is in the ocean swimming around. People on the remains of a wrecked ship help her (grudgingly) a worm is in the water. I don't want to say too much about this. I have to wait now for the third episode to be released. So far this is actually keeping me entertained and I like it even though it isn't sticking to Cannon.
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Post by Andorinha on Sept 3, 2022 21:18:40 GMT -6
Hmmm, does sound different, so, for me, the CGI would be VERY important. Guess I'll see about getting at least the First Episode. Your reviews are encouraging, Stormy, thanks!
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Post by Andorinha on Sept 6, 2022 8:53:30 GMT -6
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Post by Stormrider on Sept 6, 2022 9:33:25 GMT -6
I think people should just enjoy it instead of not picking at it.
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Post by Andorinha on Sept 6, 2022 10:19:57 GMT -6
I think what I'll do, when I watch it, is simply pretend it has nothing to do with Tolkien's Middle-earth, and view it as a "stand alone" fantasy realm...
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Post by Stormrider on Sept 11, 2022 20:39:07 GMT -6
Well, episode 3 takes us to Numenor and we see Tar Miriel, Elendil, Isildur, sister Earien (Anarion is mentioned) It is definitely Tolkien's world. Galadriel and Halbrand (the human who rescued her) are held captive in Numenor. Also Elros is hinted at as being on the island but Galadriel says she is more friendly with his brother. So definitely it is a role-playing show based on Tolkien's worlds. No pretending it has nothing to do with Arda or Middle-earth! LOL! But you can pretend you are role playing in LOTRO!
Harfoots migrating somewhere. They find out about man in meteor but he is helping Nori's family. Maybe he is Gandalf? Does kind of resemble Ian McClellan.
Plus orcs captured and enslaved humans, a warg that looks more hyenna-like and the orcs "boss" named "Adar" (is it Sauron?) Very blurry shot of tall man at end of episode.
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Post by Stormrider on Oct 1, 2022 15:09:23 GMT -6
Okay ... I skipped some episodes but oh boy Episode 6 is pretty good. Numenoreans riding like the Rohirrim (white horse tails on their helmets) charging into battle. Galadriel doing some cool stunt riding tricks (like Indians did--sliding sideways off the saddle) as she slays Orcs. Then the creation of Udun at the end!
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Post by Andorinha on Oct 2, 2022 12:09:04 GMT -6
Found two mis-delivered packages on my door-stoop yesterday, both for neighbor next door. One was in a printed pack labeled: "Rings of Power -- video." So, I guess the Amazon series is out in video format?
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Post by Stormrider on Oct 3, 2022 21:13:49 GMT -6
Gee, I didn't know that! Maybe need to look on Amazon for the dvd.
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Post by Stormrider on Oct 8, 2022 21:42:32 GMT -6
Ok. Did the Elves need mithril to keep their race alive? That's what the show is implying. So Elrond's friend, Durin IV, wants to help mine it to help the elves. But Durin III, SAYS NO. Big fight between III & IV. The mine is sealed up, III throws a maple leaf (that miraculously rejuvinated after being next to a small chunk of mithril) into the mine opening before it's sealed. Leaf floats far far far down and is burnt and we see the Balrog!
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Post by Fredeghar Wayfarer on Oct 14, 2022 16:15:48 GMT -6
I've been busy so I haven't had a chance to post my opinions of The Rings of Power. After watching the finale, I have Thoughts(TM). Short version: I have very mixed feelings about this show. SPOILERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I knew this was going to be expensive fan fiction because Amazon doesn't have a full story to adapt, just a timeline. But I feel like it leans very heavily into its own inventions and characters and very little into adapting/expanding the timeline of events that it's (loosely) based on.
I do enjoy some aspects of it. I like many of the actors. The visuals are stunning. And it's amazing getting to see characters, places, and events of Middle-earth in live action that I never expected to see. There are many moments that cause me to geek out with excitement.
Morfydd Clark is a good choice for Galadriel. I just wish the show didn't write her like an angry, impulsive teenager. Yes, she's a younger Galadriel but she's thousands of years old and pre-dates the creation of the sun and moon! "Younger" is a relative term in this context. The last two episodes had her show a bit more wisdom and restraint so maybe she's doing some self-reflection.
The actor playing Elrond embodies the character well and his friendship with Prince Durin and Disa is very moving. Those have been some of the show's best moments. I wish he and the other Elves had longer, more Elven hairstyles but that's a minor gripe. There also shouldn't be a simultaneous King and Prince Durin (it was a name given to Dwarves believed to be Durin reincarnated). So that bugs me.
Elendil has also been fantastic and portrays his character well. Isildur is okay, though saddled with the typical rebellious son drama. Pharazon seems like good casting but they haven't done much with him yet. I like the portrayal of Miriel. Overall, the Numenor characters are pretty solid.
The Harfoots have no business being in this story (hobbits didn't enter history til the Third Age) and I was expecting to hate them. Despite myself, I've enjoyed them. I guess hobbits just can't help but be charming. The song "This Wandering Day" was the best thing to come out of the show.
The Stranger/Meteor Man annoys me. The show hints heavily that he's Gandalf (who, like the hobbits, shouldn't even be in this story). I'm still holding out hope that he's a Blue Wizard. The finale confirmed that he's one of the Istari (Wizards) at least. Still ambiguous as to which one.
I had Halbrand pegged as evil pretty early on. I vacillated on whether he was Sauron or the Witch-king but I didn't trust him from day one. I enjoyed the reveal in the finale but it does call into question some of his activities in other episodes. Was he playing the long game and subtly manipulating or are we supposed to believe that he had no interest in seizing control until Galadriel pushed him to war?
I have zero interest in Arondir, Bronwyn, Theo, or most of the original characters other than the Harfoots. Not for racist reasons (I'm fine with Elves and Dwarves of color. There were many clans of Elves and Dwarves so why not?). I just haven't found them that compelling. Arondir is stoic and boring and his and Bronwyn's forbidden love storyline seems so out of place and cliché.
I hate the "mithril can save the Elves" plotline. I get what they were going for, tying it to the Rings' power to preserve the Elven realms and thus providing a motivation for their creation. But the Elves were not fated to fade into spirits THAT quickly in the books. It would happen eventually, yes, but the show's ultimatum of saving or dooming the Elven race felt a bit forced.
We finally (*Jeff Goldblum voice*) got Rings in our, uh, Rings of Power show but...it was done backwards? The Three Rings were supposed to be made after Sauron had already taught the Elves the craft of making magic rings. And I'm left wondering how and why the other rings will be made. If Galadriel already knows Halbrand is Sauron, wouldn't she be on high alert if a so-called Lord of Gifts shows up next season looking to help them make the rest of the rings? Amazon finally hit a major point on the timeline I was waiting for...and completely changed it. Arrgh.
I'll keep watching because there are things I enjoy about the show. But I think I have to turn off my nerd brain when I do so or I'm just going to be frustrated. If you read this far, thanks for coming to my TolkTalk.
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Post by Andorinha on Oct 14, 2022 16:24:03 GMT -6
Very good review, thanks Freddy! The shows sound very complex -- will have to see 'em now, if only for the "stunning visuals."
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Post by Stormrider on Oct 14, 2022 21:34:13 GMT -6
Right on Freddie. I agree with everything you said. Theo, mom, and elf boyfriend were there so that staff/dagger thingy could be found so Udun could be created.
Yes, very nice scenery and special effects. That is one reason I loved watching. I don't mind embellishments and alterations that much because it is well done and entertaining.
I suspected Halbrand, too. I wouldn't t have gave it away Incase others were going to watch, but since you did, I will chime in. He had to be fair so he could fool the elves. I wonder if he will go back as Halbrand to the Southlands and still be their "king" thereby securing the Southrons as his ally later.
I think the meteor guy is Gandalf. It just strikes me it has to be him. Gandalf always loves the little people. Although he is very earthy, so he might be Radaghast, who will lead Nori to the other Istari.
8 episodes seems waaaay tooooo short! I wonder when season 2 will be out.
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