[+] The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power - SPOILERS ALLOWED

[Hriston]

I've done some re-watching of the first two episodes and have a few observations.

When the Galadriel voice-over is talking about the Noldor's journey to Middle-earth to make war on Morgoth, we see a map of the coast of Middle-earth as it appears in the Third Age, as if Beleriand had never existed.

I don't think Finrod ever vowed to destroy Sauron, nor was he hunting Sauron when he was captured. However, he did make a vow to help the descendants of Barahir which he was fulfilling when he was captured by Sauron and imprisoned in Tol-in-Gaurhoth. He was killed there by one of Sauron's werewolves, defending the life of Beren son of Barahir.

The regional accents used for the harfoots and dwarves are a bit jarring. IMO, it would have been better not to associate fantastic races with real world nationalities.

According to the scene-transition map, the Arondir/Bronwyn subplot takes place in the east of what will become Mordor. Although I acknowledge the need to introduce the location early in the series in some way because of its later importance as Sauron's chosen home-base, I find the idea that elves under the command of Gil-galad would be occupying Mordor to watch over a population of men whose ancestors were loyal to Morgoth during the War of the Jewels which took place in Beleriand, around two thousand miles away from Mordor, to be somewhat improbable. The realm of Gil-galad at its height extended only as far eastward as the Misty Mountains.

I'm getting major Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn vibes off of Halbrand. Coupled with the boy in the Southlands/Mordor saying their king would return one day, I have no idea where they're going with this.

The Stranger - we're being given lots of hints that this is Sauron, and I think the most interesting thing that's happened with him so far is when asked who he is, he repeats the words mána and úrë. These are the quenya words for "blessed" and "fire". All I can make of the way he has been introduced is the show might be taking the concept that the lives of the Valar (Maiar like Sauron included) are bound within the world so that their lives become its life to mean that Sauron cannot die and has been "sent back" like Gandalf, not of his own will, and has not yet fully remembered who he is.

 

[Davies]

The Stranger - we're being given lots of hints that this is Sauron, and I think the most interesting thing that's happened with him so far is when asked who he is, he repeats the words mána and úrë. These are the quenya words for "blessed" and "fire".

Or possibly "the Secret Fire ... the flame of Anor".

 

[Paul Farquhar]

which he obviously knew ahead of time because he wrote the speech.

Keeping the confidences of you liege is a pretty important part of the job of herald. Leaking the contents of a speech ahead of schedule is the sort of thing dishonest politicians do.

 

[Nikosandros]

I read, some are complaining that she's not feminine enough. Galadriel is the least of my complaints.

I never said anything about feminine. I'm simply not liking her acting so far. IMO, she's overdoing the intense and fixed stare, for example.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

as if Beleriand had never existed.

This is because the only map of Beleriand is in the Silmarillion, and therefore off limits.

I don't think Finrod ever vowed to destroy Sauron

Tolkien never said he didn't. You think Tolkien wrote down every single thing a person who lived for thousands of years ever did and said?

The regional accents used for the harfoots and dwarves are a bit jarring. IMO, it would have been better not to associate fantastic races with real world nationalities.

They aren't. The harfoots are using a mix of northern and central British accents. For example, Lenny Henry (Sadoc) is using his own regional accent. He comes from Dudley, in the West Midlands. And of course Nori's Australian accent creeps in as a tendency to go UP at the end of sentences.

 

[John R Davis]

Yep. They can't use the Silmarillion ( I hope that's not whats in the box! Silmarils).
I thought all mountains had hearts.

I really enjoyed. I bonded with many of the characters very quickly ( unlike HOTD where I'm still not sure).

The Stranger will be the Miai Olorin I think.

I wasn't offended by the Harfoots having a slight Irish twang; and I thought they were quite clever and not country bumpkin compared to previous hobbits on the big screen.

Why are all humans always so scruffy in ME media!

Very good; more please

 

[reelo]

Having the Fëanorians land in Eriador instead of Beleriand, having a Valinorean elf, daughter of Finarfin, being bossed around by one of her lesser cousins (because that's what Gil-Galad is), and making her travel to Valinor against the ban of the Valar DOES "offensively contradict" things they don't have the rights to, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I hope that's not whats in the box! Silmarils

It will be Mithril:

• It's coveted by elves - hence the need to keep it secret;
• It's the cause of the fall of Khazad Dum;
• One of the elven rings is made of Mithril.

Why are all humans always so scruffy in ME media!

The southlanders are meant to be poor. We haven't met Numenoreans yet.

 

[GreyLord]

You’d have to ask them. I don’t imagine you or I are authorised to speak for them.

As per your statement, those who could quote the Silmarilion...which...if anyone could...they could.

And, as per your statement, you said those who could quote it were not the target audience.

Just rephrasing to see if I understood your meaning well enough.

(though the later portion of what I stated is something that has been tossed about in regard to Tolkien (both of them) and their thoughts pertaining to film or TV portrayals of Middle Earth writings, which means someone already asked them about that portion or they shared it without being asked already).

PS: Just to be clear, I don't have an opinion on the show itself currently. I haven't watched any of it so I don't know what to think of it. I think I am an adequate fan of LotR ideas and fiction, but probably not as big as most of those who have jumped onto watching it already. I have the ability, just haven't taken the time to watch it.

This isn't a critique of the show, just an observation regarding the statements about it. It's not in bad company, the younger Tolkien (Christopher) didn't think much about the LotR or Hobbit Movies either from what I've heard, nor felt it caputured the literature all that well. Other younger members of the family (or at least one, I think their name is...Jacob?) were at least somewhat enthused by the movies, or at least the LotR movies. Christopher Tolkien seemed to also have a quote or two regarding his father's thoughts on these items as well, or at least from that perspective before his Father's death.

I find it interesting though that your statement, in relation to what I've read about the Tolkien's thoughts (both Father and Son and their writings) say in regards to film media portraying Middle Earth, and thus probably a good indication what their thoughts would be pertaining to the show, and suprisingly, that it may be a good representation of what they would feel about it when you take into consideration how they felt about more faithful adaptations of the Middle Earth works.

Personally I really enjoy the LotR AND the Hobbit Trilogies, speaking for myself. I haven't seen the TV show though, so no idea if I would like it or not.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

(though the later portion of what I stated is something that has been tossed about in regard to Tolkien (both of them) and their thoughts pertaining to film or TV portrayals of Middle Earth writings, which means someone already asked them about that portion or they shared it without being asked already).

JRRT disliked film and TV in general (and gramophones, and any new-fangled media). So it's fair to say that he would not have enjoyed any TV or movie adaptation of his work (or anyone else's work). If it's not a quiet evening down the pub chatting with mates, JRRT would have hated it.