Spoilers Lord of the Rings TV series

[Asbo Zaprudder]

In the legendarium, mithril was also found in Númenor and Aman but it's become the unobtainium of this series. I don't recall it ever being closely associated with the Silmarils.

In this show, Gil-Galad doesn't notice the rotting until after Galadriel had sailed away and the meteor passed overhead so I don't see how he can blame her. As far as he's aware, she's living happily in Valinor. He's going to get a surprise if she turns up in Lindon, but I suspect she's headed straight to the Southlands.

 

[JD]

I'm really starting to hope Halbrand isn't a bad guy, I think I like the idea of his arc being a redemption story with him going back to Middle Earth to confront his past and help fight Sauron's forces a lot better than all of this being a trick. Now, I could still see him being corrupted and turned into a Ringwraith in the end as a big final tragic twist.
It looks like Theo is going to be a good guy afterall.
Is there any significance to The Stranger using ice to heal his arm?
The whole backstory for Mithril was interesting.
I'm curious exactly what Earien's role in the bigger picture is going to be. With Elendil and Isildur being such huge parts of Middle Earth's history, I find it hard to believe that the show would introduce a daughter/sister character without some kind of big plans for her.

 

[saddestmoon]

Just watched ep 5 last night: was interesting ‘Amazon-insertion’ of the Mithril origin, I thought - and I thought the ‘Galadriel sparring with The young warriors’ scene was a fun addition also.

As well, I loved seeing Elendil in his armour, with his red-winged helm!

Must confess: I am desperately wanting 6-inch action figures of this series to be produced! The look and feel of the designs is exquisite, and worthy of a toyline, IMO.

Overall, I’m surprised how much I’m liking the ‘off-script’ additions Amazon have crafted for the series!

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I'm relieved Elrond took his burden to Durin directly, regardless of what Gil-Galad thinks and undoubtedly it's not going to go over well with Durin III either. I was surprised by this new mithril origin but I like it. Besides, it allowed us a glimpse of a balrog and that's never a bad thing! Curiously, that wasn't the same shot we saw in the trailer so either we'll get another flashback or that shot was just trailer fodder (wouldn't be the first time something like that happened). Either way, I can't help but chuckle at certain fans who wrung their wrists at the idea of a Balrog in the Second Age.

Speaking of which, I'm also amused that Waldreg was indeed not Sauron at all (of course not) and while it's not outright dismissed, it seems pretty clear (to me anyways) neither is Adar. I'm grateful that Theo finally owned up to possessing the dark blade to Arondir and I wasn't surprised its existence wasn't quite what people had theorized. I don't know how Bronwyn, Arondir, and the rest of the refuges are going to deal with Adar's orc army, although I wasn't a fan of Bronwyn suddenly despairing like that at the end.

I'm glad The Stranger finally earned the trust of the rest of the Harfoots...right when he unwittingly terrified poor Nori. I hope she overcomes her initial and understandable fright and realizes it wasn't accident on his part while he tried to heal himself in his own uncontrollable manner. And if weird-looking wolves/wargs (at least they don't look like oversized hyenas!) weren't enough, now they're being followed by some mysterious white robbed people (apparently they're individually called the Nomad, the Ascetic, and the Dweller). I'm very curious to learn if they're seeking out The Stranger out of reverence...or destruction (the look on The Dweller's face suggests the latter).

Still don't care about Halbrand's knockoff Aragorn but with a dark twist (!) story arc. But at least we have some movement from Númenor finally, even if I still don't care about anyone but Galadriel and Elendil.

At this point, I'm pretty convinced we haven't seen Sauron yet.

I think the whole elf warrior fighting a Balrog on a mountain top was likely heavily 'influenced' by Glorfindel in the first age and his fight against a Balrog... The show does not have rights to the book of lost tales so it was likely altered significantly to what was shown (and obviously no name given for the 'elven warrior')

Ah, right, of course! I was trying to think who that Elf was suppose to be but my stupid brain couldn't think of Glorfindel.

Also the use of 'mithril' to somehow keep the Elves from 'diminishing' is not something ever encountered, but I think that may actually be a red herring. Gilgilad shows the rotting tree and thought to send Galadriel away like somehow that would fix it. When in actuality the rotting may very well be because of the CONTINUED EVIL that has not left, has not been vanquished and is rebuilding/growing.

Yeah, I thought of that, too. I think Gil-Galad believes they need mithril while still being woefully (and perhaps willingly) ignorant of the real nature as stated by Galadriel.

 

[JD]

I can't help but wonder if Waldreg asking Adar if he's Sauron was a nod towards all the fan theories flying around about which character is going to turn out to be Sauron in disguise.

Definitely curious why The Nomad, The Ascetic, and The Dweller are after The Stranger. I have to agree with @The Nth Doctor that The Dweller did not look happy when she was looking at his crater. My first thought is that they're followers of Sauron who know that he's a threat to their master, and want him dead.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I can't help but wonder if Waldreg asking Adar if he's Sauron was a nod towards all the fan theories flying around about which character is going to turn out to be Sauron in disguise.

I doubt it especially since they filmed all of these episodes ages ago and people didn't start speculating about this nobody character until last week. This isn't She-Hulk where that kind of thing is easily expected and should be lampooned.

Definitely curious why The Nomad, The Ascetic, and The Dweller are after The Stranger. I have to agree with @The Nth Doctor that The Dweller did not look happy when she was looking at his crater. My first thought is that they're followers of Sauron who know that he's a threat to their master, and want him dead.

Probably not followers of Sauron considering they're dressed in all white.

 

[kirk55555]

Probably not followers of Sauron considering they're dressed in all white.

I mean...

(FYI I am aware of rainbow Saruman, but that was a book thing, and he was obviously working with Sauron for awhile before changing his robes).

Even without that connection, I think Sauron is smart enough to have agents that don't necessarily look like they work for a dark lord, especially since he probably wants the elves to still think he's not around/not a threat.

 

[JD]

I doubt it especially since they filmed all of these episodes ages ago and people didn't start speculating about this nobody character until last week. This isn't She-Hulk where that kind of thing is easily expected and should be lampooned.

Yeah, you're probably right. I guess I'm just used to the more lighthearted shows that like to toss in meta references like that.

Probably not followers of Sauron considering they're dressed in all white.

Even if they aren't, I'm pretty sure they aren't good guys, they're seriously creepy and ominous.

 

[Skywalker]

Now that was a proper episode of TV. It bodes well for the future of this show if it continues to improve with every episode.

I'm still having a hard time pinning down who Meteor Man is supposed to be (mostly because I'm fairly sure he's a Wizard but I really don't want him to be Gandalf). During that scene where he nearly froze Nori, it sounded like he was saying "Envinyatar!" Which is a title that Aragorn took after becoming king, so I dunno what the significance there is supposed to be. Maybe he's saying something else but it sounds similar.

Poor Isildur. He clearly wants to do the right thing but for some reason he just falls short and can't commit. I do hope that personality flaw doesn't come back to bite him some day...

I was really worried that Galadriel and Halbrand were gonna kiss (or worse) during that heart-to-heart. Thankfully that didn't happen--and hopefully it never will.

I don't mind the Silmaril-related origin story behind mithril, though I do find the whole "We need it to give our spirits a power boost before they fade away" angle to be a bit odd. Wouldn't it just be enough that they want the ore to power whatever device Celebrimbor has in mind (hmm, I wonder what it could be) to stall the decay of their realms, since at this point the Elves aren't yet ready to leave Middle-earth? I dunno, maybe they figured that didn't feel urgent enough.

Elrond and Durin continue to be the best.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

I'm intrigued by the suggestion I've seen that the stranger is the Man-in-the-Moon who features prominently in Hobbit folklore. He was supposedly a powerful wizard though not one of the five Istari. The Ascetic and her companions could be followers of a Moon cult given they bear the stranger's rune, wear white, and wield what looks like a symbolic object depicting the Moon. The Moon has featured prominently in several night-time scenes.

In the legendarium, the Maia named Tilion guided the Moon but the show likely does not have the right to that name. Tolkien used a Middle English poem (here translated) as his inspiration for Bilbo's song "The Man in the Moon Stayed Up Too Late".

The Man in the moon stands and strides
On his hayfork his burden he bears.
It is a great wonder that he does not slip down—
For fear of falling, he shudders and swerves!
When the frost freezes, great cold he suffers.
The thorns are sharp—his clothes they tear.
There is no wight in the world that knows when he sits down,
Nor—unless it is the hedgerow—what clothes he wears.

My suspicion, though, is that the stranger is Saruman, who we know was turned by Sauron in the Third Age. I will probably be wrong.

 

[Timelord79 (he/him)]

I haven't seen someone mention the the names or Bronwyn and Theo as very obviously being related to naming conventions of the Rohirrim.
So, my guess is they have some connection. Although from what I just looked up, the Rohirrim originated from men of the north and not the southlands.
Stil, I can't help but notice the blatancy of a name like Theo which is just too similar to Theoden and Theodred. To a lesser degree Bronwyn shares etymological connection to Eowyn apparently.
any merit to this idea?

 

[saddestmoon]

Moonlight musing…

Interestingly, the scene of Adar talking about how he will miss sunlight on his skin, and ‘waxing’ on its warmth / heat with one of his orc underlings [moon pun intended] as seen in EP 5, and now these three white moon-robed elves(?) curious about the Stranger’s crater - coupled with the female voiceover in EP 6 sneak peak teaser - might suggest that the Stranger is being sought out as part of a mission to blot out the light of the moon - which alongside the extinguishing of sunlight as hinted at by Adar (through what I can only assume will be the eruption of MT Doom - creating volcanic ash, effectively turning Mordor into a darkened, sunless realm - and ultimately paving the way for orcs to walk unharmed by both sun-obscured day and by [moonless] night?

Sorry about my just-after-midnight posting - just getting out some wild speculation before I go to sleep!

 

[saddestmoon]

I haven't seen someone mention the the names or Bronwyn and Theo as very obviously being related to naming conventions of the Rohirrim.
So, my guess is they have some connection. Although from what I just looked up, the Rohirrim originated from men of the north and not the southlands.
Stil, I can't help but notice the blatancy of a name like Theo which is just too similar to Theoden and Theodred. To a lesser degree Bronwyn shares etymological connection to Eowyn apparently.
any merit to this idea?

I think there’s plenty of merit in this idea - and it’s also my current theory that Halbrand becomes the founder of Rohan - while also being the missing father of Theo.

I suspect we will see some Halbrand displaying some horse-riding prowess in episodes to come…

Okay - I need sleep - goodnight all!

 

[FreezeC77]

I think there’s plenty of merit in this idea - and it’s also my current theory that Halbrand becomes the founder of Rohan - while also being the missing father of Theo.

I suspect we will see some Halbrand displaying some horse-riding prowess in episodes to come…

Okay - I need sleep - goodnight all!

They are bringing some horses with them from Numenor since Isildur was assigned to them... Although we are something like 3,000 years too early for the founding of Rohan.

It's possible he's playing his role into being the "King of the Dead" that Aragorn freed from their oath. There was never a 'name' given to him, but the backstory was that these people once followed Sauron, but after his defeat they swore loyalty to Gondor.... Then when Sauron built up his power and the alliance was formed between Elves, Dwarves, and Men (which we see in the prologue to the first movie) that those men forsake their oath to Isildur/Gondor and did not join the fight. Thus they were cursed to live as spirits by him and not be granted peace after death.

 

[Unimatrix Q]

I'm relieved Elrond took his burden to Durin directly, regardless of what Gil-Galad thinks and undoubtedly it's not going to go over well with Durin III either. I was surprised by this new mithril origin but I like it. Besides, it allowed us a glimpse of a balrog and that's never a bad thing! Curiously, that wasn't the same shot we saw in the trailer so either we'll get another flashback or that shot was just trailer fodder (wouldn't be the first time something like that happened). Either way, I can't help but chuckle at certain fans who wrung their wrists at the idea of a Balrog in the Second Age.

Speaking of which, I'm also amused that Waldreg was indeed not Sauron at all (of course not) and while it's not outright dismissed, it seems pretty clear (to me anyways) neither is Adar. I'm grateful that Theo finally owned up to possessing the dark blade to Arondir and I wasn't surprised its existence wasn't quite what people had theorized. I don't know how Bronwyn, Arondir, and the rest of the refuges are going to deal with Adar's orc army, although I wasn't a fan of Bronwyn suddenly despairing like that at the end.

I'm glad The Stranger finally earned the trust of the rest of the Harfoots...right when he unwittingly terrified poor Nori. I hope she overcomes her initial and understandable fright and realizes it wasn't accident on his part while he tried to heal himself in his own uncontrollable manner. And if weird-looking wolves/wargs (at least they don't look like oversized hyenas!) weren't enough, now they're being followed by some mysterious white robbed people (apparently they're individually called the Nomad, the Ascetic, and the Dweller). I'm very curious to learn if they're seeking out The Stranger out of reverence...or destruction (the look on The Dweller's face suggests the latter).

Still don't care about Halbrand's knockoff Aragorn but with a dark twist (!) story arc. But at least we have some movement from Númenor finally, even if I still don't care about anyone but Galadriel and Elendil.

At this point, I'm pretty convinced we haven't seen Sauron yet.


Ah, right, of course! I was trying to think who that Elf was suppose to be but my stupid brain couldn't think of Glorfindel.


Yeah, I thought of that, too. I think Gil-Galad believes they need mithril while still being woefully (and perhaps willingly) ignorant of the real nature as stated by Galadriel.

Still think Waldreg's question could be a ruse. Sauron always was a big manipulator, since joining Team Melkor.

 

[JD]

Halbrand being The King of The Dead is a thought that also crossed my mind.

 

[Timelord79 (he/him)]

They are bringing some horses with them from Numenor since Isildur was assigned to them... Although we are something like 3,000 years too early for the founding of Rohan.

As a formal kingdom maybe. But you probably need a bit of a proto culture like the Harfoots that Rohan can emerge from anyway.

 

[Skywalker]

Rohan doesn't happen for another 2500-ish years. Before then, they were the Éothéod who lived around the northern reaches of the Anduin, descended from Men who once lived in Rhovanion before being driven off by Easterling invaders.

 

[Skywalker]

I'm intrigued by the suggestion I've seen that the stranger is the Man-in-the-Moon who features prominently in Hobbit folklore. He was supposedly a powerful wizard though not one of the five Istari. The Ascetic and her companions could be followers of a Moon cult given they bear the stranger's rune, wear white, and wield what looks like a symbolic object depicting the Moon. The Moon has featured prominently in several night-time scenes.

In the legendarium, the Maia named Tilion guided the Moon but the show likely does not have the right to that name. Tolkien used a Middle English poem (here translated) as his inspiration for Bilbo's song "The Man in the Moon Stayed Up Too Late".

Ooo, now there's an interesting idea, especially after reading this bit from a similar poem that's meant to be from the Fourth Age, "The Man in the Moon Came Down Too Soon":

and like a meteor,
A star in flight, ere Yule one night
flickering down he fell

 

[Orphalesion]

I'm not gonna lie. If the old guy with the Hobbits turns out to be Sauron it will be the silliest, most groan-worthy thing I've seen in a long while, because his interactions with that plucky Hobbit girl (forgot her name) are basically the same as those of Lisa and Mr.Burns when he had lost his memory.

"Me.....gooood?"

As for some of the other strange things, such as Mithril suddenly being born from the light of a Silmaril (whut?) or some tree being the measurement of Elf vitality...
Yeah it's weird and stupid, but not any more weird and stupid than many of the "creative" choices from the old movies, such as Orcs being mass produced in a factory (whut?), Arwen "binding her life to the destruction of the ring (double whut?) or Aragorn suddenly starting the word-for-word recite verses from the Edda to the Rohirrim (triple whut?)
So...well...

The Sword fighting scene with Galadriel was pretty good and I liked that "Lord Father" didn't have the Orcs didn't straight up massacre the people who ran over to his side (which would have been very cliche) but still demanded a blood sacrifice (at least that's what I think happened) And the Hobbit song was very nice, if a bit on the nose with the "not all that wander..." line.
But other than that...there's still not much happening.

Though what I found interesting was that if I read the maps they were showing correctly, then Ost Tirith is located in the later Mountains of Shadow, and the storyline with the humans in the Southlands took place in the Nurn region of Mordor, which, granted, is pretty interesting. In general the world building is pretty good (if often "creative") in this show, the plot is just falling behind.