The Rings of Power: Discussion Thread

[Righmath]

Greetings Nerds!

I've decided to create this thread to discuss all things Rings of Power related. As many of you probably know, the first two episodes were released yesterday on the 2nd September.

I know there was a lot of discourse in the running up to the release, with perhaps some Tolkien purists becoming uneasy on what was shown prior. However, let us discuss these things here.

Did you like the show? Do you think (so far) it does protrays Tolkien's work well? Let me know!

I'll post my thoughts/questions in the next post below.

 

[Righmath]

Ok, so I really enjoyed it. Obviously there has been no expense spared on the production and the special effects; the cities, fight scenes, and just general landscapes are a pure joy to watch.

I think the first two episodes also left you with enough thirst quenched before the next episode. What do you think the series is building up to? The last alliance maybe?

Also who is the guy in the meteor? It can't be Gandalf as some on twitter are saying. Most likely one of the 'Blue Wizards'....

 

[Lynea]

I've been enjoying it. I don't know enough of the source material to piece together what's going on, but so far it's intriguing. I sort of wish they would spend more time on the Silmarillion stuff instead of just blowing through it as an exposition. I also wish the scene with the sea worm was an actual battle and not just a plot device. But, for all its quick-pacing, I can appreciate what they're doing.

I can tell they're trying to limit the CGI monsters and such-- where they can.

No idea who the Istari is, but I'm hoping it's Aruman.

 

[Righmath]

Yeah I suppose the sea worm scene was pretty quick come to think about it. I need to read it again, I read it so many years ago so I've just ordered a new copy today!

 

[Reaver]

I wouldn't mind it if they actually followed the lore. I get that all they have is the rights to the appendices and don't have much to work with but making Galadriel a warrior is just pure fanfic.

 

[pmmg]

I feel watching it will just make me sad. Im gonna pass.

 

[Righmath]

I wouldn't mind it if they actually followed the lore. I get that all they have the rights to the appendices and don't have much to work with but making Galadriel a warrior is just pure fanfic.

Really? I found this re: Galadriel

"So it came to pass that when the light of Valinor failed, for ever as the Noldor thought, she joined the rebellion against the Valar who commanded them to stay; and once she had set foot upon that road of exile she would not relent, but rejected the last message of the Valar, and came under the Doom of Mandos. Even after the merciless assault upon the Teleri and the rape of their ships, though she fought fiercely against Fëanor in defence of her mother's kin, she did not turn back. Her pride was unwilling to return, a defeated suppliant for pardon; but now she burned with desire to follow Fëanor with her anger to whatever lands he might come, and to thwart him in all ways that she could." - the Unfinished Tales.

 

[Righmath]

I feel watching it will just make me sad. Im gonna pass.

Drama queen

 

[pmmg]

<--

 

[Reaver]

Really? I found this re: Galadriel

"So it came to pass that when the light of Valinor failed, for ever as the Noldor thought, she joined the rebellion against the Valar who commanded them to stay; and once she had set foot upon that road of exile she would not relent, but rejected the last message of the Valar, and came under the Doom of Mandos. Even after the merciless assault upon the Teleri and the rape of their ships, though she fought fiercely against Fëanor in defence of her mother's kin, she did not turn back. Her pride was unwilling to return, a defeated suppliant for pardon; but now she burned with desire to follow Fëanor with her anger to whatever lands he might come, and to thwart him in all ways that she could." - the Unfinished

Great citation but there's nothing in the many versions of the appendices, especially the "canonical" last revision by Tolkien to suggest that she literally fought. By that I mean, most likely she was there but she commanded the armies to shed her kin's blood. I doubt she did any slaying herself but since she was there, she still fell under the Doom of Mandos.

The sad truth is that there are too many conflicting versions of Galadriel to paint a consistent picture of her. Regardless, I think that it's unfortunate that Amazon couldn't get the rights to the Silmarillion or better still the actual LOTR books.

If people enjoy this show, great. I can't fault anyone for that. I think I'll stick to the books and Peter Jackson's adaptation (not The Hobbit movies though, they suck).

 

[Righmath]

Great citation but there's nothing in the many versions of the appendices, especially the "canonical" last revision by Tolkien to suggest that she literally fought. By that I mean, most likely she was there but she commanded the armies to shed her kin's blood. I doubt she did any slaying herself but since she was there, she still fell under the Doom of Mandos.

The sad truth is that there are too many conflicting versions of Galadriel to paint a consistent picture of her. Regardless, I think that it's unfortunate that Amazon couldn't get the rights to the Silmarillion or better still the actual LOTR books.

If people enjoy this show, great. I can't fault anyone for that. I think I'll stick to the books and Peter Jackson's adaptation (not The Hobbit movies though, they suck).

Reaver, I shall agree with you on one thing. The Hobbit does indeed suck

I wish they had a LOTR based game playable on PS4/5 or something. The last ones were for PS2/PC. Very sad.

 

[Reaver]

Reaver, I shall agree with you on one thing. The Hobbit does indeed suck

I wish they had a LOTR based game playable on PS4/5 or something. The last ones were for PS2/PC. Very sad.

What about Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor and its sequel: Shadow of War? Both are on the PS4 for a great price.

 

[Aldarion]

I might have enjoyed it as a standalone series, but seeing how it is allegedly based on Tolkien's work, I cannot see it as anything but a disgrace.

 

[Righmath]

I might have enjoyed it as a standalone series, but seeing how it is allegedly based on Tolkien's work, I cannot see it as anything but a disgrace.

Oh no, have you watched it?

 

[Righmath]

What about Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor and its sequel: Shadow of War? Both are on the PS4 for a great price.

Unfortunately, Mordor never interested me. Which is why I'm worried 'Gollum' will not be something I look to purchase either...

 

[pmmg]

I dont wish to steal the energy of those who choose to like this production. So, I'm gonna stay out of this thread.

But, I would like to comment, I think a large part of the success of the LOTR movies was the effort to be true to the source material, something that was not present in the Hobbit films. I think many of the people who grew up with these tales will not appreciate disrespecting or disregarding the original artistic vision. I've seen enough from the production of this to know they wish to go their own direction. IMO, it would be best if they just invented their own property to do so, but....why waste an opportunity to turn off a fan base. Good luck to them.

 

[Aldarion]

Oh no, have you watched it?

First episode only. I wanted to binge-watch both released episodes, but after working my way through the first episode, I had no patience to go through another session of torture.

 

[CupofJoe]

I haven't seen the show but I feel they missed a neat little nod to the Tolkien Fans... Release the first episodes on Thursday 22 September, Bilbo and Frodo's birthday and on the right day of the week for their big party in LotR. It wouldn't have made much difference to Amazon but may have made some of us more nerdy fans give a wry smile...

 

[Aldarion]

I haven't seen the show but I feel they missed a neat little nod to the Tolkien Fans... Release the first episodes on Thursday 22 September, Bilbo and Frodo's birthday and on the right day of the week for their big party in LotR. It wouldn't have made much difference to Amazon but may have made some of us more nerdy fans give a wry smile...

They released it on anniversary of Tolkien's death (2nd of September). Quite appropriate, as showmakers hate Tolkien and want to destroy his work.

 

[Lynea]

Lol, I'm sure they don't want to destroy his work, just have all the 'right' hashtags for today's audience.