Rings of Power is Back [+] Appreciation

[Paul Farquhar]

That was an epic looking Balrog.

Rating the 3 more or less recent fantasy shows. House of the Dragon, Rings of Power, Wheel of Time

Best Season one.
1st HotD
2. WoT
3. RoP

Best Season 2.

1st. WoT
2nd RoP
3rd House of the Dragon

Most Improved S1 to 2
1st RoP
2nd WoT
3rd HotD (actually got worse).

Best Overall.

1st WoT
2nd HoTD
3rd RoP

RoP really dragged down by the worst S 1. WoT S 1 and HotD more underwhelming than as bad as S1 RoP. From example HotD S2> RoP S1. WoT S1>RoP S1.

If RoP turned in a mediocre S1 I would put it over HotD.

Generally rate consistency over peaks and lows ymmv.

WoT and RoP have more hope heading into S3 atm imho. HotD has issues surrounding budget, shortened seasons etc.

Have you read WoT? Because I haven't, and, whilst I agree that season 2 was better, I still rate it below RoP season 1 (and Willow!) It really is kinda bad.

 

[Zardnaar]

Have you read WoT? Because I haven't, and, whilst I agree that season 2 was better, I still rate it below RoP season 1 (and Willow!) It really is kinda bad.

I read the first 6 or 7 a long time ago and gave up.

Deeper than I've made it through LotR tbh.

Willow was terrible (rewatched the movie in preparation).

Shadow and Bone under rated.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I read the first 6 or 7 a long time ago and gave up.

Deeper than I've made it through LotR tbh.

Willow was terrible (rewatched the movie in preparation).

Shadow and Bone under rated.

I read LotR as an early teen, and many times since (and I've read the Silmarillion), but I couldn't cope with more than a couple of pages of WoT. I bounced off GoT too for that matter. So relative positioning is clearly a matter of taste. Season 2 improvement is clear though, but unsurprising. Most shows don't really find their stride until season 3. Which is why Netflix and Disney policy of axing anything that doesn't immediately find an audience is so short-sighted.

 

[Zardnaar]

I read LotR as an early teen, and many times since (and I've read the Silmarillion), but I couldn't cope with more than a couple of pages of WoT. I bounced off GoT too for that matter. So relative positioning is clearly a matter of taste. Season 2 improvement is clear though, but unsurprising. Most shows don't really find their stride until season 3. Which is why Netflix and Disney policy of axing anything that doesn't immediately find an audience is so short-sighted.

GoTs not for everyone but it switched on almost episode 1.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

GoTs not for everyone but it switched on almost episode 1.

The exception that proves the rule. It started strong and faded.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Shadow and Bone under rated.

It felt too yoof oriented for me to really get into, but I reckon it deserved a couple more seasons in any case. One of the things I like about RoP is all the main characters are grown-ups. Even Theo at this point.

 

[Zardnaar]

It felt too yoof oriented for me to really get into, but I reckon it deserved a couple more seasons in any case. One of the things I like about RoP is all the main characters are grown-ups. Even Theo at this point.

Witcher started good as well then declined.

Comparatively RoP is an a good place vs most.

HotD pretty good start. Then season 2 happened.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Have you read WoT? Because I haven't, and, whilst I agree that season 2 was better, I still rate it below RoP season 1 (and Willow!) It really is kinda bad.

It honestly makes me wonder if Rosamund Pike has Nicholas Cage-style financial troubles.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

It honestly makes me wonder if Rosamund Pike has Nicholas Cage-style financial troubles.

Nah, it was her project, which is why she gave herself the best part.

 

[ART!]

The scenes need a lot more extras! I don't mind the scenes, and really, I don't get my issues, I just don't care about them at all for some reason. I'd much rather watch the hobbits survive somehow, and gandalf doing stuff. Which is weird, I feel like I should like the other stuff more.

I agree with this in general about RoP, in that I feel like it has both too many characters and too few. I can't imagine doing without any of the main characters we have, because I think they're all written so well and the actors are killing it, so I really have no suggestions or wishes there. However, I feel like the show would be even stronger with the texture that more second- and third-tier speaking parts would provide.

That said: as predicted, Celebrimbor's final moments were heart-wrenching. Initially, I wasn't sold on Charles Edwards in this role; his performance seemed very hobbit-like. But this season? Out of the park.