Episode 6: so, thus far I have found the characters of Arondir, Borowyn, and The to be among the more, shall we say, irritating characters of the show, Theo especially. This episode had some of my favorite character moments, outside of Elrond and Durin and Disa. While the romance is still hard to swallow, the dialog is very well done, and the thematic reflections before the battle, both with the Southland villagers, and Adar's orcs, "new life in defiance of death" is well done. Plus Galadriel, Adar and Halbrand all have an interesting back and forth and the wrestling with inner darkness, and how it twists them all in different ways. It's suitably mythological. As well as Isil and his friends, and very reminiscent of Tolkien and his experiences in WW 1. I know I'm supposed to hate this show and find it anti-Tolkien. This episode is shaking that reputation.
Completed the series with my wife on our second watch through, which is usually when my final opinion gets more cemented if I am able to get through it the first time. Last two episodes were a bit packed. The whole volcanic eruption was a surprise and the fallout was quite horrifying. It had a lot of echoes of WW1, and I could not help but recall Tolkien's experience in that war. Isildur and his friends' experiences were quite horrifying and done very well. I know many will be skeptical of the whole having a character being thought dead when the audience knows he won't be dead. Esildur's struggle with the news, and his sense of duty, his conversation with the Queen Regent is so incredibly touching, but also so incredibly Catholic. My wife and I found it very moving. The last episode, "Alloyed" was not quite as enjoyabe but overall the alloying process, and the reveal were decent enough. I did not care for the mental battle but I did appreciate the recognition of how the rings had to be. Overall season impressions: Initially, I was pleased with the visuals, while less engaged with some of the characters, like Arondir and Theo, or the Harfoots. Thankfully, that annoyance gave way to appreciation for direction I felt the show was going, and even interest in what would happen with "The Stranger."
I found this interesting video about the Season One finale - (5) Rings of Power, Ending Explained - The Deeper Meaning of Those Reveals - YouTube.
Like Stories Of Old has a great take on how a few of the major plot elements of the season could have been better.
I agree with many of the points. One of the aspects that I appreciated about the series the second time through was the mirroring effect, and how the structure pointed towards Galadriel's struggle, and a reflection of Sauron's own struggle with the past. While not my preferred way of doing it (no doubt others will insist upon a better way-seen that before) I found the show really mythological in its efforts, reflecting upon the desire to good, and ending up evil, the draw of power and hubris, and ultimately to reject that inner desire to hurt as badly as one has been hurt, in service to good.
Looking very forward to the art of TRoP! Also I’m loving the look of, and wanting merchandise of… Spoiler the Eregion Elvish Guard, as seen below - in their green and gold armour - from ‘Alloyed’: I would really love some 6-inch action figures, and Lego mini figs if this particular guard / warrior! Link below the screen caps gallery these are pulled from: https://www.cap-that.com/lord-of-the-rings/rings-of-power/?seasonone
On a related note, The Fall of Numenor, a consolidation of Tolkien's second age writings, drawn from the appendices, The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales and elsewhere, was released today. The book presents the canonical account of what the show is adapting. https://www.tolkiensociety.org/2022/06/new-tolkien-book-the-fall-of-numenor-to-be-published/
So, I finished The Fall of Numenor and enjoyed it greatly. Editor Brian Sibley did an amazing job of taking disparate pieces of lore from all over Tolkien's legendarium and piece them together into a coherent narrative that tells the story of the second age almost entirely in Tolkien's own words. As mentioned above, the book draws from the appendices, The Silmarillion, The Unfinished tales books and others. There are even excerpts from Tolkien's correspondences and essays that he wrote as well as excerpts from the main text of The Lord of the Rings itself. The book begins with the raising of numenor and ends with... Spoiler: Is this really a spoiler? Well, this is a thread for the TV show and not the literature ... an arrow ridden Isildur face down in the river. I noted certain passages that I believe the show is drawing some of its inspiration from. There is mention of Galadriel's love of horses and her athleticism and her desire to not leave Middle Earth until Sauron was utterly defeated. As I mentioned upthread, I've never read any of Tolkien's works other than The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and this has me eager to acquire and dive into The Silmarillion.
Damn, I forgot that was out already. I need to look out for it the next time I'm at my local bookstore.
As like many, I've read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and I've owned The Silmarillion for many, many years like over 30 but I have never read it. I've tried to read it several times and only made it a little way into it. I might try again, I really enjoyed The Rings of Power show. I was thinking about picking up The Fall of Numenor book but I don't want it to be another Silmarillion. Maybe I'll take it out from the Library.
Like you, I actually did try to read The Silmarillion literally decades ago and didn't get very far. While watching a YouTube video describing the events of the first age, the video's host recommended that if you have trouble with the opening chapters of the book, then skip to chapter 3. That skips over all of the biblical style origins of the universe stuff and gets into the story of the elves.
The best way to read The Silmarillion is to skip around to the parts that most interest you and read in spurts. It shouldn't be treated the same way as a narrative-based novel but as rich, (perhaps overly) detailed broad history (if that makes sense). I know I haven't read the book in completion but I've certainly read large portions of it that included the rings, the Similrils, Gondolin, the creation story, and a few other parts.
"Beren and Luthien" seems like a pretty epic tale based on my research, and I noted that Tolkien fleshed out that story into a larger work that Christopher completed. I'm almost thinking of buying the larger work as well and reading that instead when I reach that chapter of The Silmarillion. I see that there are also larger works based on "The Fall of Gondolin" and "The Children of Hurin". I guess I'm about to find out just how deep my rekindled love of Tolkien runs.
I can't comment on The Children of Hurin (I bought it years ago but still haven't read it) but I loved The Fall of Gondolin. It's more of a look back at Tolkien's different attempts to write the story itself with Christopher's ongoing commentary on his father's process, but there are also selections of actual narrative. Here's my detailed review of the book that I posted here when it came out.
Thanks for that. It's given me a lot to think about. Similarly, included in The Fall of Numenor is "Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner's Wife", which Tolkien likewise never completed, and yet I still enjoyed its inclusion and Christopher'commentary on his father's notes for the rest of the tale. It left me wanting to know about Aldarion and his time on Middle Earth, which is never expanded upon elsewhere. I very much look forward to your thoughts on The Fall of Numenor.
I recommend printing some maps out and having them handy at all times. Also, keep a bookmark in the glossary.
You're welcome! I hope you get a chance to read it. That does sound promising. Even if I do get it next week (which is probably my earliest opportunity to look for it), it'll probably be awhile before I get a chance to read it since there are bunch of books I want to read first. So many books, so little time!