Soo... thoughts after the third episode? I went back and brushed up on the timeline in the appendices, and I am SO confused. Have the rings of power already been forged? Because they should have been, if Ar-Pharazon is the current king of Numenor, but then Celebrimbor would already have been killed.
I don't know. It's still an interesting show, albeit a bit slow, but I'm having to actively treat it as separate fan fiction, not Tolkien.
I just shared my Episode 3 review! Honestly, I went in to viewing the Rings of Power with a very loose grip on it being book accurate and it's really helped me to enjoy it for what it is so far--a well done story paying tribute to Tolkien's work. If I need lore-accurate stuff I can always read the books. I know it's not for everyone, but I've always engaged with adaptations this way and it works for me.
I totally agree, that it feels different from Jackson's films doesn't strike me as "wrong" at all - The Silmarillion feels different than LOTR, but it's still EQUALLY Tolkien's work. So a show about a different age can feel different, alright!
And yesss it totally felt like I was watching different shows in one, between Bronwyn's world and the Harfoots and Galadriel and just.... Everyone. I hope that it all starts to connect soon. It's not even that there are too many threads going on at once, it's that I don't feel like I'm watching the same show. LOTR of course goes back and forth between multiple parts of the story, but it all FEELS like the same movie. I don't know how else to describe it. But it sounds like you feel the same why so I guess I don't have to 😅
Overall I'm just very very thankful that I finally actually have something Tolkien-ish to watch 😭❤️
I agree with what you shared, thank for joining the conversation! And yes, having Tolkien stuff to watch and connect with other people over is AMAZING 😍
Overall I liked the world created in the first two episodes, visuals, music, all that was good. And yes, seeing Dwarrow-delf in the height of it's glory was great!
I am, however, sad and apprehensive that they started right before the Third Age. I loved The Silmarillion, especially the first two-thirds, and the fact that they started this a good 90 percent of the way into the book is disheartening. Hopefully they go back and actually tell some of the great stories (Beren and Luthien, anyone? Anyone? Hollywood?), instead of just the mid stories of a few main characters with whom movie goers are already familiar.
P.S. I would put money on the stranger being Gandalf, or Olorin as he was when the world was young.
I was going to comment on the same thing, I wish they has started before the Third Age, Beren and Luthien would have been amazing to see. But then I read Breanne's answer - makes sense, although it's disappointing! It's good to know though so that I'm not mad at the writers 😂
It was AMAZING to finally see a thriving dwarf kingdom, wasn't it?! I hope they showcase even more of it.
As for the timeline being set right before the Third Age, it is sad! I don't know if you're aware but they don't have rights to the Silmarillion from the Tolkien estate. Only the Lord of the Rings + the Appendices and The Hobbit. So what we're getting in this new series is what they've been allowed to show. I didn't learn that until a few weeks back but it's helped me to make peace with and enjoy the show for what it can be instead of being upset over everything that's being left out because it's HAD to be left out legally.
And I've seen such good theories about who The Stranger is. People are making great cases for all of them! I love how it's gotten everyone so invested.
I am so captivated by the scenery and the lighting! It’s really beautiful to look at, I was crying not long in just from the details!
I did find myself drifting attention wise a couple times (I blame overuse of social media tbh lol), but I am keen to see what they do with the story! The slow climb may give us more deep information and time to get to know the characters.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! How fun to connect with others in this way!
I love that we can come to the comment section and connect over shared love of something like Tolkien's works.
My attention drifted at times but I'm willing to bet the pacing is going to pick up in the next installments. And yes, I do like taking time to get to know the characters!
I also love how it was different from Peter Jackson's Middle Earth. Partly because it's different ages like you brought up, but also because Peter Jackson isn't Tolkien so I love another interpretation of Tolkien's descriptions.
And I'm 100% with you on characters making impulsive decisions. Already annoyed a bit over that.
I didn't mind the slow pace, but it was a LOT of threads to be following, and that was where the slower pace felt off to me.
It's just great to be re-immersed visually in Middle Earth again.
I actually liked the slow pace because it made me feel like we were embarking on an epic journey that was going to take a long while— in a good, curl up with a blanket type of way. I liked that the show took its time with the scenery and world building. But I get your point as well!
And The Stranger… that has to be Gandalf, right?! Or Sauruman… but I lean towards Gandalf because of his love for Hobbits in LOTR.
That's a good point about the slower pace. I'm not really too fussed about the pace in the end. I'm hoping it's used as a good tool to really add depth to the story!
As for the Stranger, I have no idea. I personally hope it's not Gandalf but see where a lot of people are coming to that conclusion. I also think it it could be one of the other Isatri (possibly a blue wizard?). I'm seriously thinking possibly Annatar - which was Sauron’s form that could change to whatever he wanted to deceive people. Or finally a completely new character that the show runners have invented to tell the story they want to. I've also heard people throwing Tom Bombadil out there which would be...interesting, ha!
At any rate, I love how it's got everyone talking and discussing the show together!
Ohhh! Interesting thoughts about the Stranger! You definitely know more back story than I do, so your guess is much better informed than mine! I also loved the background knowledge you shared about the two trees. How amazing! All of this has made me realize I need to try again to read The Silmarillion. I re-started it last night... wish me luck!
I loved Kazad-dum too! It was beautiful with it's waterfalls and greenery. Durin was very dwarf-like in the best ways. His lines were funny and his heart is good.
I agree that the story was slow and I felt pulled in too many directions. Who is the main character? Is there a main character? We shall see. All the trailers focus on Galadriel, but it wasn't quite The Galdadriel Show that I was expecting.
I've seen some valid critique for the choices with Galadriel's character arc but I can also see why the show runners have made the choices they have (even if I don't like them). I'm curious, what were your expectations for Galadriel?
Based on the trailers, I assumed Galadriel would be our heroin and ROP would be her story. That's not really the case. It's fine, but I think they'll have to work a little harder to make us care about so many storylines/separate characters. Hopefully it all weaves together in a brilliant way.
I still think she will be! But yes, at this point it feels like there are many 'main characters' and it can feel la little distracting as a viewer. I'm hoping they tie it together in a meaningful way as more episodes release.
Soo... thoughts after the third episode? I went back and brushed up on the timeline in the appendices, and I am SO confused. Have the rings of power already been forged? Because they should have been, if Ar-Pharazon is the current king of Numenor, but then Celebrimbor would already have been killed.
I don't know. It's still an interesting show, albeit a bit slow, but I'm having to actively treat it as separate fan fiction, not Tolkien.
I just shared my Episode 3 review! Honestly, I went in to viewing the Rings of Power with a very loose grip on it being book accurate and it's really helped me to enjoy it for what it is so far--a well done story paying tribute to Tolkien's work. If I need lore-accurate stuff I can always read the books. I know it's not for everyone, but I've always engaged with adaptations this way and it works for me.
I totally agree, that it feels different from Jackson's films doesn't strike me as "wrong" at all - The Silmarillion feels different than LOTR, but it's still EQUALLY Tolkien's work. So a show about a different age can feel different, alright!
And yesss it totally felt like I was watching different shows in one, between Bronwyn's world and the Harfoots and Galadriel and just.... Everyone. I hope that it all starts to connect soon. It's not even that there are too many threads going on at once, it's that I don't feel like I'm watching the same show. LOTR of course goes back and forth between multiple parts of the story, but it all FEELS like the same movie. I don't know how else to describe it. But it sounds like you feel the same why so I guess I don't have to 😅
Overall I'm just very very thankful that I finally actually have something Tolkien-ish to watch 😭❤️
I agree with what you shared, thank for joining the conversation! And yes, having Tolkien stuff to watch and connect with other people over is AMAZING 😍
Overall I liked the world created in the first two episodes, visuals, music, all that was good. And yes, seeing Dwarrow-delf in the height of it's glory was great!
I am, however, sad and apprehensive that they started right before the Third Age. I loved The Silmarillion, especially the first two-thirds, and the fact that they started this a good 90 percent of the way into the book is disheartening. Hopefully they go back and actually tell some of the great stories (Beren and Luthien, anyone? Anyone? Hollywood?), instead of just the mid stories of a few main characters with whom movie goers are already familiar.
P.S. I would put money on the stranger being Gandalf, or Olorin as he was when the world was young.
I was going to comment on the same thing, I wish they has started before the Third Age, Beren and Luthien would have been amazing to see. But then I read Breanne's answer - makes sense, although it's disappointing! It's good to know though so that I'm not mad at the writers 😂
It was AMAZING to finally see a thriving dwarf kingdom, wasn't it?! I hope they showcase even more of it.
As for the timeline being set right before the Third Age, it is sad! I don't know if you're aware but they don't have rights to the Silmarillion from the Tolkien estate. Only the Lord of the Rings + the Appendices and The Hobbit. So what we're getting in this new series is what they've been allowed to show. I didn't learn that until a few weeks back but it's helped me to make peace with and enjoy the show for what it can be instead of being upset over everything that's being left out because it's HAD to be left out legally.
And I've seen such good theories about who The Stranger is. People are making great cases for all of them! I love how it's gotten everyone so invested.
I did not know they don't have the permissions for the Silmarillion! That does help the mindset.
I am so captivated by the scenery and the lighting! It’s really beautiful to look at, I was crying not long in just from the details!
I did find myself drifting attention wise a couple times (I blame overuse of social media tbh lol), but I am keen to see what they do with the story! The slow climb may give us more deep information and time to get to know the characters.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! How fun to connect with others in this way!
I love that we can come to the comment section and connect over shared love of something like Tolkien's works.
My attention drifted at times but I'm willing to bet the pacing is going to pick up in the next installments. And yes, I do like taking time to get to know the characters!
Thanks for joining the conversation, Chelsie!
I also love how it was different from Peter Jackson's Middle Earth. Partly because it's different ages like you brought up, but also because Peter Jackson isn't Tolkien so I love another interpretation of Tolkien's descriptions.
And I'm 100% with you on characters making impulsive decisions. Already annoyed a bit over that.
I didn't mind the slow pace, but it was a LOT of threads to be following, and that was where the slower pace felt off to me.
It's just great to be re-immersed visually in Middle Earth again.
Yes! It's so good to have a fantasy show I feel excited about after years of nothing really standing out to me.
Let's hope the pacing is used well to build the massive story they have to tell!
I actually liked the slow pace because it made me feel like we were embarking on an epic journey that was going to take a long while— in a good, curl up with a blanket type of way. I liked that the show took its time with the scenery and world building. But I get your point as well!
And The Stranger… that has to be Gandalf, right?! Or Sauruman… but I lean towards Gandalf because of his love for Hobbits in LOTR.
That's a good point about the slower pace. I'm not really too fussed about the pace in the end. I'm hoping it's used as a good tool to really add depth to the story!
As for the Stranger, I have no idea. I personally hope it's not Gandalf but see where a lot of people are coming to that conclusion. I also think it it could be one of the other Isatri (possibly a blue wizard?). I'm seriously thinking possibly Annatar - which was Sauron’s form that could change to whatever he wanted to deceive people. Or finally a completely new character that the show runners have invented to tell the story they want to. I've also heard people throwing Tom Bombadil out there which would be...interesting, ha!
At any rate, I love how it's got everyone talking and discussing the show together!
Thanks for joining in, Abigail ❤️
Ohhh! Interesting thoughts about the Stranger! You definitely know more back story than I do, so your guess is much better informed than mine! I also loved the background knowledge you shared about the two trees. How amazing! All of this has made me realize I need to try again to read The Silmarillion. I re-started it last night... wish me luck!
I loved Kazad-dum too! It was beautiful with it's waterfalls and greenery. Durin was very dwarf-like in the best ways. His lines were funny and his heart is good.
I agree that the story was slow and I felt pulled in too many directions. Who is the main character? Is there a main character? We shall see. All the trailers focus on Galadriel, but it wasn't quite The Galdadriel Show that I was expecting.
I agree with you about Prince Durin, loved him!
I've seen some valid critique for the choices with Galadriel's character arc but I can also see why the show runners have made the choices they have (even if I don't like them). I'm curious, what were your expectations for Galadriel?
Based on the trailers, I assumed Galadriel would be our heroin and ROP would be her story. That's not really the case. It's fine, but I think they'll have to work a little harder to make us care about so many storylines/separate characters. Hopefully it all weaves together in a brilliant way.
I still think she will be! But yes, at this point it feels like there are many 'main characters' and it can feel la little distracting as a viewer. I'm hoping they tie it together in a meaningful way as more episodes release.
On a separate note, the memorial trees for fallen elves were beautiful. I loved that detail.
Yes! A very 'elven' memorial for sure.