amazon The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

[Beebo Brink]

Yes, by all means, let's keep our depictions of people in literature more accurate to what they really looked like.....

You first:

 

[Noodles]

Some vague things in here could maybe be spoilers but only if you care about very very very munute details. A trailer woukd spoil nore than my commentary.

People are all bitching and wondering about "Black Elves" and I am just over here trying to figure out if those Hardfeet people are Hobbits or something similar or if Hobbits are decended from them. Also why are they in Rohan, I think it was called something different but it seemed to be Rohan-ish and location.

More seriously though, I enjoyed it. There seems to be three major plot arcs and I wonder how long until they cross, if they even will.

I kind of hope the obvious answer to the Stranger isn't the answer, but I kind of hope it is because it would fit with other story elements well even though it apparently would not follow "original book lore".

My only real conplaint, which is barely one, I wish some, not all, of the larger visuals were a little more direct in their references to the older movies.

There were a few valley shots, and the Dearven door in the mountain that felt super "familiar," but I don't either actually was anything specific. I was really hoping for a shot of say, the room in Khazad Dum with all the pillars, bustling with Dwarves doing stuff.

 

[Veritable Quandry]

There is a chapter on the history of Hobbits in the Lord of the Rings appendices. The Harfoots are one of several bands of proto-Hobbits that are discussed. They settled on the edge of the Shire and were more adventurous than other Hobbits. The Took family (ancestors of Bilbo, Frodo, and Pipen) were from that lineage.

 

[Lexxi]

Yes, by all means, let's keep our depictions of people in literature more accurate to what they really looked like.....

You first:

You know those reconstructions people make? Those faces/heads built based on skulls? Well, someone did one of those reconstructions for a skull found roughly around and when Jesus wandered around. The spoiler is because it is a large image.

Spoiler

 

[NyteWytch]

I'm not a lotr fan and previously only watched the lotr movies (with little remembeed). I feel like this series was made more for fans that have some prior knowledge. So while I enjoy it, it has led to a lot of googling to catch up.

 

[Free]

Anywho, focused on the show, the one place I am really looking forward to getting screen time is Numenor. I want to see Tolkien's angelic beings so annoyed with those heathen war-mongering island folk they go and drown the lot of them (flipping things on flat-earthers at the same time)!

 

[Khamon]

I would like to see their impression of Doriath, particularly Menegroth, and Nargothrond, oh and Gondolin too I think yes! But have to get back into the Prime family account. One password to rule them all...

But do I really wanna sit through all this or just read the spoilers til the end then know where to look? That's not really a question. It's what I do with most shows.

 

[Innula Zenovka]

 

[CronoCloud Creeggan]

am just over here trying to figure out if those Hardfeet people are Hobbits or something similar or if Hobbits are decended from them.

They are a tribe of Hobbits, the other two are the Fallohides and the Stoors (Smeagol's people).

Also why are they in Rohan, I think it was called something different but it seemed to be Rohan-ish and location.

Rhovanion, east of Mirkwood. Rohan will be south-southwest of that, north of the White Mountains. It doesn't exist yet, and would be mostly populated by Men of the Twilight somewhat related to the future Dunlendings, who probably pay tribute to Ar-Pharazon and Numenor in this time period. The area is called Calenardhon and it will become a province of the numenorean realm in exile of Gondor.

There were a few valley shots, and the Dearven door in the mountain that felt super "familiar," but I don't either actually was anything specific.[/quote

It's not the ithildin Durin's Door yet, Celebrimbor and Narvi made that.

There is a chapter on the history of Hobbits in the Lord of the Rings appendices. The Harfoots are one of several bands of proto-Hobbits that are discussed. They settled on the edge of the Shire and were more adventurous than other Hobbits. The Took family (ancestors of Bilbo, Frodo, and Pipen) were from that lineage.

It's the Fallohides who were more adventurous, the Harfoots were more homebodies. The shire was founded by two Fallohide brothers, Marcho and Blanco. They were originally from Bree. That part of the former Numenorean realm in exile known as Arnor had become depopulated of Dunedain (Aragon's people, Numenorean exiles) and men in general. But that happens centuries later than the show about 16 centuries later.

 

[Soen Eber]

Honestly, I like the Silmarillion about the best - but then, I love history texts too, and mythic poetry and....

Yeah, it was a bit of an effort to read, but I really enjoyed it as well, being a history geek. Or it might have being raised German-Catholic ... if I can endure the Liturgy of the Eucharist week after week: 20 minutes of the same damn thing time after time ... I can tunnel my way through anything.

And I do have to admit, a couple of those trailers honestly had me tingling, with my hairs standing up at the back of my head and feeling a lightheadedness I only experience in the presence of something great.

 

[CronoCloud Creeggan]

Watched the third episode and I had some "They changed stuff!" moments. I swear, the Tolkien estate should have never let Amazon do this series if they weren't willing to let Amazon use the Silmarillion and Unfinished tales at the least. And Amazon should have played hardball until the Tolkien estate let them use them, or just not do the series.

Elendil should be taller, and so should Galadriel, though I do think the Miss Clark is doing a fine job.

Queen Regent Miriel? That's Tar-Miriel to you, though it's implied Tar-Palantir is still alive. I think her actress, Cynthia Addai-Robinson is also doing a fine job. Also, Pharazon is her cousin and Tar-Palantir should be dead about this time. Galadriel should have guessed that Mirel might be part of the Faithful considering her name, which is elvish and NOT Adunaic like "Pharazon" It means "jewel-daughter", which is why I would sometimes call Miriel Enfield in SL, Tar-Miriel. I suspect Tar-Palantir has told Miriel of omens because he was known for good foresight, which is how he got his regnal name. His birth name in Adunaic given to him by his elf-hating father was Inziladun.

the Numenoreans should have known who Galadriel was on sight even without her announcing she's Galadriel of the Noldor of the House of Finarfin. She is very distinctive looking, her height, and silver-gold hair of a Vanyar. And it would have been nice if she saw the Ring of Barahir (given by her brother to Edain hero Barahir) on Elendil, who should have it during this time period. Also Elendil shouldn't be just a ship-captain, he should be the Lord of Andunie, one of the provinces of Numenor and a descendant of Elros Tar-Minyatur (Elronds brother) himself and is in-fact a distant relation of Galadriel. He's descended from her cousin Turgon as is Queen Regent Miriel (and every other Numenorean ruler)

I laughed when Halbrand told Galadriel to kneel and then Miriel said that Numenoreans don't kneel. I'm not sure if that's in extended material, but they don't wear traditional crowns, just simple diadems with a single jewel. Their symbol of office is their sceptre. The future Sceptre of Annuminas of the Numenorean Realm of Exile of Arnor is the former sceptre of Andunie and Elendil should have it.

In case anyone hasn't figured it out, Pharazon is an asshole, a "Kings man" who resents the Ban on Men going to Valinor and the Gift of Men. Since they're compressing stuff, and have a few seasons, they'll probably start off with Pharazon pressuring Miriel into sending forces to middle earth to set up havens and receive tribute from (oppress) the locals. And to set up a fight between the Numenoreans and Sauron over control of the locals. This is probably one reason the Numenoreans in the show call Halbrand, "low-man" since he is of the Men of Darkness or Twilight and not a Numenorean.

 

[Noodles]

I still do not understand why the Tolkien Estate is so stingy about the other material.

 

[Jopsy Pendragon]

I haven't seen today's episode yet, but all week I've been seeing speculation from people thinking that Galadriel's rafting companion is Sauron himself. Which I think is rubbish, I think she'd probably know her prey if it was standing in front of her.

But I do think he's...

Spoiler

going to end up being the Witch-King of Angmar, leader of the nazgul...

 

[Veritable Quandry]

People seem to not have realized that the plot to make the rings has already started. The Elves need a secret forge ASAP. Sauron is in Middle Earth building his plans. Not rafting in the western sea.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Actually Halbrand is a character created just for the show.

 

[Veritable Quandry]

Yes, he is. But there are a number of major characters in Tolkien who are not named. We don't know any of the names of the nine men who recieve rings of power beyond one was The Witch King of Angmar. We also don't know the name of the King of the Dead. He was a follower of Sauron in the late 2nd age who changed sides and swore an oath to Isuldor that his men would aid Gondor. He broke the oath and stayed away from the final battle, for which his people were cursed to wander as ghosts until Aragon called them to help break the siege of Gondor.

So at least a few of the new characters we meet may well be mentioned only by title in Tolkien, and the names have been added. Halbrand appears to be a descendant of a southern kingdom who fits in either of those roles.

 

[CronoCloud Creeggan]

though it's implied Tar-Palantir is still alive. I suspect Tar-Palantir has told Miriel of omens because he was known for good foresight, which is how he got his regnal name.

And he has a Palantir, which was not unexpected by me, they were originally given to the Numenoreans by the Eldar. They ended up with the Realms in Exile of course. Seven Stars and Seven Stones and One White Tree.

a descendant of Elros Tar-Minyatur (Elronds brother)

I was surprised Pharazon mentioned him....used his full name too, since after all he was half-elven.

In case anyone hasn't figured it out, Pharazon is an asshole, a "Kings man" who resents the Ban on Men going to Valinor and the Gift of Men. And to set up a fight between the Numenoreans and Sauron over control of the locals.

And Miriel announces an expeditionary force to aid the Men of the Southlands. These are Numenoreans at the height of their power, a rabble of orcs stand no chance.

I LOVE Durin and Disa and Elrond's relationship with them both.

I would make a bet that neither Halbrand or Theo will be the Witch-King, since he's a "Black Numenorean" meaning not skin-color, but one who turned Sauron-worship. Neither Halbrand or Theo are Numenoreans of any kind. Also there is no King of Gondor for Halbrand to swear allegiance to in the Second Age, that won't happen till AFTER the fall of Numenor. Though the King of the Dead might be a descendant.

Pharazon's son on the other hand........ he would be an option as would any other Kings Men, since the Black Numenoreans are descendants from them.

I suspect Halbrand and his people will end up in future Gondor, ending up in someplace like Lebennin or with Arondir and Bronwyn, Dol Amroth. the future Prince Imrahil gets his elvish ancestry from somewhere in this continuity.

 

[Beebo Brink]

I have almost no knowledge of any of the pre-Hobbit/LOTR lore, so I'm watching this from a pure entertainment perspective. I recognize major names, obviously, like Sauron, Elrond, Galadriel and Mt. Doom, but can blithely ignore just how closely the narrative adheres -- or doesn't adhere -- to Tolkien's detailed canon. Even more so for Mrs. Beebo, who has only seen the movies and never read the books.

We've both found it enjoyable and coherent, with plenty of characters to root for (something we still haven't found in The Witcher). I'm especially fond of the Harfoots as the ancestors of the Hobbits. They provide some light relief to weightier events, but without any annoying buffoonery.

Based on review/reader comments, many ardent fans feel like Tolkien's history has been butchered, the characters badly portrayed, and the whole of Season 1 sucks. I hope that doesn't sink the series, because I would happily keep watching.

 

[CronoCloud Creeggan]

I agree with Beebo, I don't care all that much if they butcher the limited amount of background history they have access to if the show is entertaining, and that it is.

One of the pale weirdoes trying to follow the stranger was carrying a staff with an eye on top. I knew the stranger was trying to help the tree when he said envinya-whatever which means “renew“. Also the star map Sadoc gave him had a pattern that resembled a “G“ rune.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Based on review/reader comments, many ardent fans feel like Tolkien's history has been butchered, the characters badly portrayed, and the whole of Season 1 sucks. I hope that doesn't sink the series, because I would happily keep watching.

Supposedly season 2 has already begun filming in the UK so there will at least be a second season. It's already been revealed that the next and last episode of season 1 will show who Sauron is. I think it'll be someone we least expect.