The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Amazon Prime Video - September 2, 2022

[Wor-Gar]

It's good!

It's bad!

It's slow!

It's rich!

She's an elf!

He's a dwarf!

There's a story... somewhere!

 

[ZE_501]

That Numenorean armour looked quite bad.

 

[chrisstbh]

That Numenorean armour looked quite bad.

It’s just a bad design. The armour designs for Gondor and Rohan in the trilogy are timeless.

 

[MeatHookGekko]

Am I the only one who can't stand Galadriel? I just despise her every time she's on screen with that bitchy rude attitude of hers. A terribly written one-dimensional character. People keep telling me her character will change by the end of the show, but isn't she like 5000 years old here? If you haven't developed a personality in 5000 years then what difference will another 5 make?

Other than that I'm still enjoying the show and will stick by it. Sure it's a bit slow-paced but I feel it will pay-off in the end... hopefully.

The scripts aren't helping but it might be the casting.

Morfrydd Clark was actually pretty good in Dracula ( BBC production, by the same people who made Sherlock with Dr Strange/Bilbo) My guess is that role was the tipping point to help her get this ROP part.

For example, Interstellar is actually a pretty flawed movie overall. The script and dialogue also aren't that great. But the Zimmer score is incredible. The visuals and SFX and production values are off the charts. And Rust Cohle and even the usually forgettable Hathaway do a pretty good job of covering up most of the bad writing. Good casting and getting top level actors even in small parts make a huge difference.

Put Jodie Comer here instead, with the same script, and maybe she salvages some of this.

We also don't know what provisions had to be agreed to for the Tolkien family to release the rights. If you listen to some old Ronald D Moore podcasts, he very politely says many times that Gene Roddenberry was actually a hindrance to basic good storytelling. There were things that you just couldn't write, couldn't do, couldn't say and couldn't show under the basic ST "show bible" Moore sort of circles around the issue that because there were so many Trek properties moving all at once, DS9 sort of got left alone, which is why the show had some pretty strong storytelling that moved away from some classic Trek themes.

We also don't know what Bezos demanded to be shown or removed or added. If you watch his interviews, he sounds like a total psychopath.

You need one voice, for better or worse. Some people love or hate what Vin Diesel did with Riddick after he got full control and full rights, but at least it was one singular voice from a creative standpoint.

Think about how much better that The Walking Dead would have ended up if they just left Frank Darabont alone.

What this show really needs is way way way more action. Show us dwarves fighting Orcs for an hour like GOT when the Wall was attacked.

 

[user 67922]

The scripts aren't helping but it might be the casting.

Morfrydd Clark was actually pretty good in Dracula ( BBC production, by the same people who made Sherlock with Dr Strange/Bilbo) My guess is that role was the tipping point to help her get this ROP part.

I believe she's a pretty good actress. Although I think the only thing I've seen her in is Saint Maude (coincidentally a film made about 2 minutes away from where I live, appropriately termed a s**thole in the film ), but she was certainly a standout in that. No, I don't think it's the actress, she's been told to play the part that way by some ''creative''. I can just see it now ''be powerful, elegant, and sassy at the same time''. Well, 1 out of 3 ain't bad. I honestly thought we'd reached a turning point with the character last week when Halbrand told her some home truths about her attitude. Then she's straight back to the same attitude again this week. The worst thing is I think we're actually supposed to like and be rooting for her. Someone made a serious misjudgement there.

This wouldn't annoy me as much as it does if Galadriel wasn't my favourite character in LOTR. Cate Blanchett was perfection in the role, she was majestic, graceful and powerful, it's like Galadriel jumped straight out of the book. The writers and showrunners need to go back and watch those films and completely re-write the character for season 2.

If the writers want to know how to write a powerful female character without them being obnoxiously bitchy and immature then they should go watch House of the Dragon.

 

[Antarion]

"Modern" human mankind is like 5000 years old and we are still dumb on so many levels. I don't want to hear 5000 here 5000 that every time Galadriel does sth stupid. I think you need your main chars to have flaws no matter what. I have no problem she is different from 3rd age Galadriel. I'm not sure a personality like Blanchets Galadriel could carry an action driven show either.
But I admit, the script isn't super kind to her and her plot.

What I dislike is mainly plot and stakes. First and foremost people changing their mind all the time. Stakes are low and they try to make drama out of nowhere.
*We hate Elves.* 'some speech happens' Yeah we fight with the elves now!
Halbrand doesn't want to go to south. *Galadriel tells a sad story.* Ok, **** that, I go.
Durin doesn't trust his friend. *his friend spies on him and gets cought*. 'Ok, now you are already here, I tell you the secret'
Even worse is the Miriel thing after Galadriel escaped from prison.

While I get that they needed to find some obstacles to overcome in every section of the show (Numenor, Southlands, Elves, Dwarves and Proto-Hobbits) and some kind of drama most of that felt rather flat and hollow.

My favourite character of teh show is probably the Meteor Man. Enjoy every part he is in and the character looks super interesting. Need a figure of him lol
I also like Adar so far and the Orcs.

Overall I'm still enjoying myself with this show quiet a bit - I'm not a die hard book/tolkien lover, same with nearly any other movie/franchise actually - so that helps a lot taking it all easy.

 

[ZE_501]

"Modern" human mankind is like 5000 years old and we are still dumb on so many levels. I don't want to hear 5000 here 5000 that every time Galadriel does sth stupid. I think you need your main chars to have flaws no matter what.

Behavioral modernity vis á vis cognition is thought to be 50,000 years old, give or take, and as far as technological advancements and 'civilization' I can't remember so I'll assume your 5,000 number is on the money ... but I don't think you can compare the age of a collective comprised of violent, short-lived territorial apes to an individual who has had the benefit of unbroken experience, maturation and individuation for five millennia, while being part of a preternaturally advanced, wise, and magical race.

Granted it's all fiction but I still don't see the parallel, especially given how the elves were generally characterized by Tolkien. But you're right, characters need flaws and I think even Tolkien built in conflict and flaws, aloof arrogance and xenophobia clearly being some of them.

I just think that this version of Galadriel plays as one dimensional and lacking in both intellect and foresight. I get it, she's obsessed and grieving and angry, but IMO the execution is amateurish at best.

 

[Alatar]

Just poking ny head in here to say I’m really digging this series, accepting it for what it actually is versus whatever I might wish it ideally could be in the back of my head. It’s been a lot of fun for me so far. I’m invested in the characters, their arcs, and the overall story. There’s a lot of interweaving going on in it and I appreciate the grand tapestry that it seems is gradually emerging from it. Having a grand time!

 

[Sassafras]

"Modern" human mankind is like 5000 years old and we are still dumb on so many levels. I don't want to hear 5000 here 5000 that every time Galadriel does sth stupid. I think you need your main chars to have flaws no matter what. I have no problem she is different from 3rd age Galadriel. I'm not sure a personality like Blanchets Galadriel could carry an action driven show either.
But I admit, the script isn't super kind to her and her plot.

What I dislike is mainly plot and stakes. First and foremost people changing their mind all the time. Stakes are low and they try to make drama out of nowhere.
*We hate Elves.* 'some speech happens' Yeah we fight with the elves now!
Halbrand doesn't want to go to south. *Galadriel tells a sad story.* Ok, **** that, I go.
Durin doesn't trust his friend. *his friend spies on him and gets cought*. 'Ok, now you are already here, I tell you the secret'
Even worse is the Miriel thing after Galadriel escaped from prison.

While I get that they needed to find some obstacles to overcome in every section of the show (Numenor, Southlands, Elves, Dwarves and Proto-Hobbits) and some kind of drama most of that felt rather flat and hollow.

My favourite character of teh show is probably the Meteor Man. Enjoy every part he is in and the character looks super interesting. Need a figure of him lol
I also like Adar so far and the Orcs.

Overall I'm still enjoying myself with this show quiet a bit - I'm not a die hard book/tolkien lover, same with nearly any other movie/franchise actually - so that helps a lot taking it all easy.

Am actually liking Meteor Man too, it's an interesting take IMO. As opposed to my general vague idea that - and am pretty sure this is Gandalf - wizards or whoever just show up, hit the ground running knowing multiple languages and cultures etc.
And it might not be Gandalf, as well. Probably one of the reasons I watch the show, even when IMO the writing is silly, to see what happens next.
Tho no-one's gonna convince me that Halbrand wasn't cast exactly to be discount Aragorn; it's weird but every show he seems to look more and more like Viggo Aragorn. And I wonder when Arondir is not going to look constipated, if ever.

 

[jye4ever]

Am actually liking Meteor Man too, it's an interesting take IMO. As opposed to my general vague idea that - and am pretty sure this is Gandalf - wizards or whoever just show up, hit the ground running knowing multiple languages and cultures etc.
And it might not be Gandalf, as well. Probably one of the reasons I watch the show, even when IMO the writing is silly, to see what happens next.
Tho no-one's gonna convince me that Halbrand wasn't cast exactly to be discount Aragorn; it's weird but every show he seems to look more and more like Viggo Aragorn. And I wonder when Arondir is not going to look constipated, if ever.

That scene with him on the horse at the end I had to rub my eyes because I thought it was Vito for a second lol

 

[jye4ever]

For as much hate as TROP is getting and praise that HOTD is getting I’m not one of those praising HOTD I think it pales in comparison to GOT the drama is too on the nose there are no likable characters and they all make dumb decisions.

Not even their names are memorable in HOTD with GOT I was instantly captivated and had everybody memorized instantly lol.

GOT felt natural HOTD feels forced.

So this narrative that HOTD destroys TROP not for me.

Both pale in comparison to their older brothers.

 

[Wor-Gar]

I like reading the lore behind the ideas and characters presented in the show, like Adar.

To Jye's point, I like HoD but it is not GoT level.

 

[jye4ever]

I like reading the lore behind the ideas and characters presented in the show, like Adar.

To Jye's point, I like HoD but it is not GoT level.

Don’t get me wrong I’m not hating HOTD but having just been shocked and awestruck by GOT I can instantly feel the quality drop with HOTD.

 

[ebor]

TLOR >TWOK>SWESB>GOT>EVERYTHINGELSE>TBOBF

I think…

 

[chrisstbh]

I like reading the lore behind the ideas and characters presented in the show, like Adar.

To Jye's point, I like HoD but it is not GoT level.

It was never going to be. Nothing set in that universe ever will be.

 

[Antarion]

Not even their names are memorable in HOTD with GOT I was instantly captivated and had everybody memorized instantly lol.

Both pale in comparison to their older brothers.

I agree. Also with names part. I'm 4 episodes in and i cant really remember any of the names except the 'evil' brother is something like demon. Lol

I like it but it is far from Got.


As for TROP: Same as Wor-Gar i like to read the lore. Adar, Annatar or Celebrimbor etc. Stuff i never knew about.

 

[Kebron]

Not even their names are memorable in HOTD with GOT I was instantly captivated and had everybody memorized instantly lol.

I barely remember the Houses the characters belong to, unless its Targaryen.

TROP I can remember each characters name at least

 

[Wor-Gar]

I don't think I know anyone's name in HoD or RoP. It's all: hot blonde aussie or funny redbeard or mean-queen or dip-**** son, stuff like that in my head.

Elrond and Galadriel I know from previous media, so they don't count.

 

[Antarion]

Without reading up on sites like this or reddit, I would know **** whats going on. Like that the southlands might become mordor... i thought mordor was in the east?
Or that sauron was a shapeshifter and anyoneone could be sauron. I think the show is more interesting if you know these things beforehand.
Still not sure what valinor is and when or why you would go there

 

[Sassafras]

Without reading up on sites like this or reddit, I would know **** whats going on. Like that the southlands might become mordor... i thought mordor was in the east?
Or that sauron was a shapeshifter and anyoneone could be sauron. I think the show is more interesting if you know these things beforehand.
Still not sure what valinor is and when or why you would go there

Yeah, ditto - I'm a Tolkien fan, but am sure my surface knowledge wouldn't even qualify me. That's one thing about the show, tho, to be fair. They did pull a lot of characters from thin air - characters like what's her name the daughter who got into college or something and seems a completely useless addition. Tho she's probably gonna be the only one who figures out there's some hidden tunnel or some *&^$ and saves a bunch of kiddies or whatever.

But someone along the way did SOME research. There's some good YT vids on the lore.