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Amazon's new Lord of the Rings TV series New series will be a prequel set in the Second Age

#501 User is offline   flea 

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Posted 16 September 2024 - 01:58 PM

The second season is definitely stronger. I'm with you about Tom Bomadil. He's much less annoying than in the book. I can't figure out why he's is in Ruhn.

I feel the show runners love Tolkien. The SA is not a well formed world, and they have had to do a lot of compression of the time line. So far they are failing with Numenor. Key theme in Tolkien is their growing fear of death, and how that fear leads to their destruction. We also do not really get much about its splendor and strength -- the first season actually minimizes this with the defeat of the small force sent to Middle Earth.

This era of IP content feels like a Sauron plot in its cynicism, and we see it poison commentary about it. I am fond of a podcast called House of R, with two very intelligent and well-read Tolkien nerds who have helped me enjoy the series more. That said, they are not really able to call out some of the crap in the series, since to do so would undermine the purpose of the pod. Still, they are insightful and really funny.

View PostTheRetiredBridgeburner, on 12 September 2024 - 02:26 PM, said:

View Postchamp, on 12 September 2024 - 01:00 PM, said:

I've quite enjoyed this season so far. It's not amazing but not as bad as a lot of people seem to claim. I think it's entered that realm where people just love to hate on it.


Looking forward to watching the new ep tonight.


Probably fair.

I was really pleasantly surprised by (from Episode 4 - I think the casting was announced but spoilers just in case)
Spoiler


I expected them to best case irritating/ worst case dreadful and instead their interactions with The Stranger ended up being my favourite scenes of this series so far.

Episode 4 was definitely a pretty significant uptick for me, I'd be happy if it continued at that level.

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#502 User is offline   TheRetiredBridgeburner 

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Posted 23 September 2024 - 10:36 AM

View Postflea, on 16 September 2024 - 01:58 PM, said:

The second season is definitely stronger. I'm with you about Tom Bomadil. He's much less annoying than in the book. I can't figure out why he's is in Ruhn.

I feel the show runners love Tolkien. The SA is not a well formed world, and they have had to do a lot of compression of the time line. So far they are failing with Numenor. Key theme in Tolkien is their growing fear of death, and how that fear leads to their destruction. We also do not really get much about its splendor and strength -- the first season actually minimizes this with the defeat of the small force sent to Middle Earth.

This era of IP content feels like a Sauron plot in its cynicism, and we see it poison commentary about it. I am fond of a podcast called House of R, with two very intelligent and well-read Tolkien nerds who have helped me enjoy the series more. That said, they are not really able to call out some of the crap in the series, since to do so would undermine the purpose of the pod. Still, they are insightful and really funny.


Thanks for the podcast recommend - I'll go have a look for it :)

Agreed that Numenor isn't really working yet, but we'll see if that improves (I feel there may be far more focus on Numenor next series once the forging of the Rings is taken care of, which might help). I do like the performances from Elendil and Miriel, and I feel like Pharazon is probably a good actor, they just need to give him stuff to get his teeth in to and they haven't yet (I am just pretending the "make Numenor great again" moment from the first series didn't happen and I'm happier for it)

Up to date as of last night, and I am really loving the Annatar/Celebrimbor dynamic. It's still a touch too heavy handed at times but they're getting Annatar pressing all of the poor bloke's buttons very right. I'm hopeful they're going to stick the landing with Eregion based on that.

I still don't care about Galadriel though...

This post has been edited by TheRetiredBridgeburner: 23 September 2024 - 10:38 AM

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#503 User is offline   Tavvar 

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Posted 25 September 2024 - 05:02 PM

I agree with the above so far. I kind of feel like they should've left the Numenor drama until after the forging of the Rings, they could've shown them at their height of power then decline, whereas in the show it just seems to be in decline.

It is interesting enough that I want to keep watching to see if they can tie it up nicely over 5 seasons. There is some potential here, but its still not quite "there" yet.

ex. I'm not quite sure of the point of the Harfoot/Stranger storyline, it seems to be taking time away from Numenor and the Elves that they could really use.
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#504 User is offline   TheRetiredBridgeburner 

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Posted 30 September 2024 - 11:35 AM

Episode 7 is the strongest episode so far, in either series. Odd bit aside, it's genuinely excellent.

Spoiler


Suspect it's got rather too much to do in the last episode (maybe Numenor and Rhun will get stalled until next series now) but I'm genuinely excited to see the finale. Not a feeling I expected from this show!
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#505 User is offline   Macros 

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Posted 01 October 2024 - 11:42 AM

Don't make me pick this up again RTB!!!
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#506 User is offline   TheRetiredBridgeburner 

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Posted 03 October 2024 - 06:55 AM

View PostMacros, on 01 October 2024 - 11:42 AM, said:

Don't make me pick this up again RTB!!!


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#507 User is offline   Tavvar 

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Posted 08 October 2024 - 02:50 PM

I thought the finale was great! I am feeling much better about this series now that I was after Season 1. While I enjoyed season 1, it was more in a "there's potential here" kind of way, and now I think they have a good chance to live up to that potential.
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#508 User is offline   Briar King 

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Posted 21 October 2024 - 05:03 AM

I still thought it was utter garbage tv myself. Got some pretty eye candy for sure but that “battle” was utterly ridiculous to watch.
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#509 User is offline   QuickTidal 

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Posted 18 November 2024 - 04:22 PM

View PostTheRetiredBridgeburner, on 30 September 2024 - 11:35 AM, said:

Episode 7 is the strongest episode so far, in either series. Odd bit aside, it's genuinely excellent.

Spoiler


Suspect it's got rather too much to do in the last episode (maybe Numenor and Rhun will get stalled until next series now) but I'm genuinely excited to see the finale. Not a feeling I expected from this show!


I agree. It was really quite good. I felt the middle of this season flagged a LITTLE....but that the ending brought it home.

It is ever going to be as good as the movies? No. But it's damned decent television.
"When the last tree has fallen, and the rivers are poisoned, you cannot eat money, oh no." ~Aurora

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#510 User is offline   champ 

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Posted 18 November 2024 - 07:12 PM

View PostQuickTidal, on 18 November 2024 - 04:22 PM, said:

View PostTheRetiredBridgeburner, on 30 September 2024 - 11:35 AM, said:

Episode 7 is the strongest episode so far, in either series. Odd bit aside, it's genuinely excellent.

Spoiler


Suspect it's got rather too much to do in the last episode (maybe Numenor and Rhun will get stalled until next series now) but I'm genuinely excited to see the finale. Not a feeling I expected from this show!


I agree. It was really quite good. I felt the middle of this season flagged a LITTLE....but that the ending brought it home.

It is ever going to be as good as the movies? No. But it's damned decent television.



How good is Charlie Vickers as Sauron... The later scenes with Celebrimbor are fantastic!

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#511 User is offline   QuickTidal 

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Posted 18 November 2024 - 07:48 PM

View Postchamp, on 18 November 2024 - 07:12 PM, said:

View PostQuickTidal, on 18 November 2024 - 04:22 PM, said:

View PostTheRetiredBridgeburner, on 30 September 2024 - 11:35 AM, said:

Episode 7 is the strongest episode so far, in either series. Odd bit aside, it's genuinely excellent.

Spoiler


Suspect it's got rather too much to do in the last episode (maybe Numenor and Rhun will get stalled until next series now) but I'm genuinely excited to see the finale. Not a feeling I expected from this show!


I agree. It was really quite good. I felt the middle of this season flagged a LITTLE....but that the ending brought it home.

It is ever going to be as good as the movies? No. But it's damned decent television.



How good is Charlie Vickers as Sauron... The later scenes with Celebrimbor are fantastic!


Charlie Vickers is a revelation. I was SO skeptical of his Annatar form just being him in a elf wig with pointy ears for S2....but MY god he sells the shit out of it and I believed every second.

And Charles Edwards Celebrimbor should really be the MVP of season 2...he poured SO much emotion into that role. Just incredible.

This post has been edited by QuickTidal: 18 November 2024 - 07:48 PM

"When the last tree has fallen, and the rivers are poisoned, you cannot eat money, oh no." ~Aurora

"Someone will always try to sell you despair, just so they don't feel alone." ~Ursula Vernon
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#512 User is offline   Tiste Simeon 

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Posted 19 November 2024 - 11:41 AM

I've got two more episodes to go and I'm in agreement that this is a better series than the first one.

The levels of hate I have for that dweeby son of Pharazon are quite concerning haha
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#513 User is offline   TheRetiredBridgeburner 

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Posted 19 November 2024 - 12:15 PM

View PostTiste Simeon, on 19 November 2024 - 11:41 AM, said:

The levels of hate I have for that dweeby son of Pharazon are quite concerning haha


Nah, he's a first class weasel :D

This post has been edited by TheRetiredBridgeburner: 19 November 2024 - 12:15 PM

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#514 User is offline   QuickTidal 

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Posted 19 November 2024 - 12:32 PM

Oh yeah he's the worst. Which is funny cause you already hate Pharazon and think "Oh his son can't be WORSE can he?" he absolutely can.
"When the last tree has fallen, and the rivers are poisoned, you cannot eat money, oh no." ~Aurora

"Someone will always try to sell you despair, just so they don't feel alone." ~Ursula Vernon
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#515 User is offline   Tiste Simeon 

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Posted 19 November 2024 - 12:42 PM

Yeah especially as s1 Pharazon isn't actually that bad IIRC and I was like "Huh maybe I'm misremembering the Silmarillion" but no.
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#516 User is offline   Tiste Simeon 

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Posted 20 November 2024 - 11:31 PM

Finished it and wow that was done amazing TV! I finished s1 feeling a little meh about the whole thing but this has made me keen for more. It's like every element of the show has stepped up in quality. Celebrimbor was astonishing, and the nuance from Adar was surprisingly emotional by the end.

Did I hear they've already greenlit s3?
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#517 User is offline   QuickTidal 

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Posted 21 November 2024 - 01:12 PM

View PostTiste Simeon, on 20 November 2024 - 11:31 PM, said:

Finished it and wow that was done amazing TV! I finished s1 feeling a little meh about the whole thing but this has made me keen for more. It's like every element of the show has stepped up in quality. Celebrimbor was astonishing, and the nuance from Adar was surprisingly emotional by the end.

Did I hear they've already greenlit s3?


They did. This show and WOT are Amazon's GOT/STRANGER THINGS lunch, so they will make them till it's not profitable to do so. I think they are chuffed that the response to S2 has been overwhelmingly better than S1.
"When the last tree has fallen, and the rivers are poisoned, you cannot eat money, oh no." ~Aurora

"Someone will always try to sell you despair, just so they don't feel alone." ~Ursula Vernon
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#518 User is offline   TheRetiredBridgeburner 

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Posted 21 November 2024 - 01:41 PM

View PostQuickTidal, on 21 November 2024 - 01:12 PM, said:

View PostTiste Simeon, on 20 November 2024 - 11:31 PM, said:

Finished it and wow that was done amazing TV! I finished s1 feeling a little meh about the whole thing but this has made me keen for more. It's like every element of the show has stepped up in quality. Celebrimbor was astonishing, and the nuance from Adar was surprisingly emotional by the end.

Did I hear they've already greenlit s3?


They did. This show and WOT are Amazon's GOT/STRANGER THINGS lunch, so they will make them till it's not profitable to do so. I think they are chuffed that the response to S2 has been overwhelmingly better than S1.


After the end of series 1 I never expected to be excited for new seasons to be greenlit for ROP - but I'm really looking forward to series 3.
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#519 User is offline   QuickTidal 

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Posted 21 November 2024 - 02:00 PM

View PostTheRetiredBridgeburner, on 21 November 2024 - 01:41 PM, said:

After the end of series 1 I never expected to be excited for new seasons to be greenlit for ROP - but I'm really looking forward to series 3.


Same. While I was gone I sat down one day and decided to finish S1 and found the back half was better than the front half and there was enough there for me to look fwd to S2 a bit....after S2 I'm all in on whatever they want to do next. They pretty much fixed any issues I had with it from S1.
"When the last tree has fallen, and the rivers are poisoned, you cannot eat money, oh no." ~Aurora

"Someone will always try to sell you despair, just so they don't feel alone." ~Ursula Vernon
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