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Again though, I have people I knew in my 20s that were crazy partyers, and now in their 40s are shut-ins, they only come out once in a blue moon.

The idea that Galadriel in her "youth" (at least in elven terms) was a brash arrogant warrior, and an age later (carrying the power of a ring) is a more methodical leader makes complete and total sense to me. But I commonly see people use it at the vanguard of their critiques of the show....that they got Galadriel "wrong".... and that critique to me is what is wrong, and it misunderstands the entire point of prequels. The entire part of the fun of a prequel is seeing how things were so different "back then", and figuring out how the heck people and events got to how things are now.

People shouldn't look at Galadriel and go "this is wrong!", they should go "ok man Galadriel was so different back in the day, will be really interesting to see her transition towards her more modern self". Heck we have already seen a hint of it in this season. After her grave mistake in the last season, Galadriel this season is starting to question herself more, the brashness is tempered a bit with the thoughts of "am I actually in the right?". Though she still spars with Elrond, she has relented more than last season because of her failures. Its a step towards wisdom, a step towards the more careful and calm leader she will eventually become. But....a small step, these things of course take time, and for elves probably a lot of time.
I think it’s a mistake to view the show in terms of lore - period. Nothing which it has presented comports closely with anything established by Tolkien. It has diverged from the timeline, from what we know about established characters, and in terms of Middle-Earth history. It has introduced a number of new aetiological myths. It has placed previously unattested characters as central to its stories.

I feel the show needs to be judged entirely on its own merits, or lack thereof. It is an error to try to harmonise any of the events or characters of the show with Tolkien’s legendarium in any way.

Which is to say, it is not necessary to frame Galadriel’s portrayal with reference to how she is depicted in LotR or any other of Tolkien’s writings - her character should stand (or fall) on its own.

Would I have done things differently? Absolutely. But fidelity to lore is not the core of my criticism of the show. It is best to view RoP as taking place in a kind of alternate Middle-Earth.
 



I thought it was awkward when some of the Númenóreans said things like "may the Valar save you" or something. I was pretty sure they were monotheists.
 


So, Episode 8

The Good:
  • Music
  • Adar
  • Family orc meets a grisly end
  • Charlie Vickers and Charles Edwards putting on good performances despite the challenge of dealing with awful writing and dialogue

The Bad:
  • Badly choreographed fight scene between Sauron and Galadriel
  • Galadriel falling 500ft and not being a puddle of mush. Although I suppose we shouldn't be surprised at this point, after her nice swim and volcano exploits. Middle-Earth must have a 20d6 cap on fall damage.
  • Arondir now seems fine after a couple of brutal stabs
  • Peter Jackson's balrog uses its whip to wrap around Durin's ankle ('member?)
  • Impending GoT-style political intrigue in Khazad-Dum and Numenor for Season 3 being telegraphed, and the sure knowledge it will be botched
  • Pharazon's douchebag son happening to turn up at Pelargir
  • Stupid, pointless romance between Isildur and Estrid
  • A dubious letter being sufficient for Pharazon to implement martial law in Numenor. Wait, I thought Miriel was queen again. And how did they know about Sauron, anyway? Timeline issues as usual
  • Saruman/Gandalf rehash of interaction

New Aetiologies
  • How Gandalf got his staff
  • How Gandalf got his name
  • How Elendil got Narsil
  • How the Hobbits began the move westward to find the Suzat/Shire. I'm sure the Stoors and Harfoots will join up
  • Next Season: How Gandalf got his hat

Semi-Lore-Friendly Aetiology:
  • Imladris is founded by survivors fleeing from Eregion

Overall? 3/10.
 
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So, Episode 8

The Good:
  • Music
  • Adar
  • Family orc meets a grisly end
  • Charlie Vickers and Charles Edwards putting on good performances despite the challenge of dealing with awful writing and dialogue

The Bad:
  • Badly choreographed fight scene between Sauron and Galadriel
  • Galadriel falling 500ft and not being a puddle of mush. Although I suppose we shouldn't be surprised at this point, after her nice swim and volcano exploits. Middle-Earth must have a 20d6 cap on fall damage.
  • Arondir now seems fine after a couple of brutal stabs
  • Peter Jackson's balrog uses its whip to wrap around Durin's ankle ('member?)
  • Impending GoT-style political intrigue in Khazad-Dum and Numenor for Season 3 being telegraphed, and the sure knowledge it will be botched
  • Pharazon's douchebag son happening to turn up at Pelargir
  • Stupid, pointless romance between Isildur and Estrid
  • A dubious letter being sufficient for Pharazon to implement martial law in Numenor. Wait, I thought Miriel was queen again. And how did they know about Sauron, anyway? Timeline issues as usual
  • Saruman/Gandalf rehash of interaction

New Aetiologies
  • How Gandalf got his staff
  • How Gandalf got his name
  • How Elendil got Narsil
  • How the Hobbits began the move westward to find the Suzat/Shire. I'm sure the Stoors and Harfoots will join up
  • Next Season: How Gandalf got his hat

Semi-Lore-Friendly Aetiology:
  • Imladris is founded by survivors fleeing from Eregion

Overall? 3/10.

Galadriel fall was stupid. Said to the wife "it's OK she will land in water". Derp.

Didn't mind the fight scene. Acolyte may have spoilt me recently though.
 
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