Lord of the Rings Series -- Amazon (2 Viewers)

[Scorpius the Allfather]

I don’t understand this take
One can read the appendices to their heart’s delight - this show does not change anything Tolkien wrote or revised or revised again and then Christopher reinserted a previous revision
What it does is offer (so far) 3 gorgeous episodes of a sprawling epic that is adapted to 8 episodes
Not sure why someone would bunge themselves up to the point where they can enjoy a retelling of an all time great mythology

I've read people saying otherwise, that the show is nothing like what Tolkien wrote. I forget the setup but apparently the rings should've already been forged, Isildur is over a thousand years early. Someone else called the Harfoots evil because they leave people behind. I don't even remember it all but it sounded like a lot of whining. Oh, someone else said Tolkien is spinning in his grave because of how much they changed. And another saying some people's heads are spinning because they got all kinds of things wrong timeline wise.

 

[Saint_Ward]

I don’t understand this take
One can read the appendices to their heart’s delight - this show does not change anything Tolkien wrote or revised or revised again and then Christopher reinserted a previous revision
What it does is offer (so far) 3 gorgeous episodes of a sprawling epic that is adapted to 8 episodes
Not sure why someone would bunge themselves up to the point where they can enjoy a retelling of an all time great mythology

It's a mix of two things.

One, wanting to see a story that you basically know the big plot points, but not the details. Or seeing a story fit in within the bigger plot that is known.

Two, Since it is truncating so much, I feel like they won't give themselves a lot of room to let the story breath. Like, they're going to run up against a wall with the last alliance of Elves and Men.

But, we shall see. I do like the show, it's just making me a little off balance so far. I'm not hating on that, just confused.

Like, I'm not the guy who hates that Tom Bombadil was left out of the LoTR's movies, but there are some aspects that were missing that would have added to the movies better. But, I'm also the guy who feels like the theatrical releases miss major beats compared to the extended versions.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

I've read people saying otherwise, that the show is nothing like what Tolkien wrote. I forget the setup but apparently the rings should've already been forged, Isildur is over a thousand years early. Someone else called the Harfoots evil because they leave people behind. I don't even remember it all but it sounded like a lot of whining. Oh, someone else said Tolkien is spinning in his grave because of how much they changed. And another saying some people's heads are spinning because they got all kinds of things wrong timeline wise.

Noted Tolkien scholar (and other articles) about Tolkien’s thoughts on ‘canon’ and adaptation

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

It's a mix of two things.

One, wanting to see a story that you basically know the big plot points, but not the details. Or seeing a story fit in within the bigger plot that is known.

Two, Since it is truncating so much, I feel like they won't give themselves a lot of room to let the story breath. Like, they're going to run up against a wall with the last alliance of Elves and Men.

But, we shall see. I do like the show, it's just making me a little off balance so far. I'm not hating on that, just confused.

Like, I'm not the guy who hates that Tom Bombadil was left out of the LoTR's movies, but there are some aspects that were missing that would have added to the movies better. But, I'm also the guy who feels like the theatrical releases miss major beats compared to the extended versions.

And that’s not an issue - of course we should be able to hold 2 incongruent thoughts in our heads at the same time
I’m talking about being so philosophically opposed to a type of content that it clouds your enjoyment (and then come to find out it’s not an actual philosophy)

 

[Saint_Ward]

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I think the Meteor Man leads the Harfoots to the Shire. I also think they are showing us the creation of Mordor at the South Lands. I was thinking that Halbrand was the reverse of Aragorn by failing his kingdom seeing as how it becomes Mordor. Also about Hal,

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Apparently a leak came out and said that he's Sauron which would explain the character

In total, I think we're getting the creation of rings, creation of the shire, and creation of Mordor.

I agree with that spoiler within the spoiler.

prediction spoiler

While watching the episode, I seriously thought Adar was going to be Sauron. Still possibly could be, but I doubt it. I really do think that Halbrand is going to be evil, and it isn't obvious. However, the fact he really got, dare I say, Obsessed about blacksmithing, and how incredibly powerful he was fighting off those guys. He was breaking bones a bit easier than I'd expect. I was thinking he was an Aragorn type, but man, he was brutal. He's also pretty wise politically, better than Galadriel is.

 

[Taurus]

I don’t understand this take
One can read the appendices to their heart’s delight - this show does not change anything Tolkien wrote or revised or revised again and then Christopher reinserted a previous revision
What it does is offer (so far) 3 gorgeous episodes of a sprawling epic that is adapted to 8 episodes
Not sure why someone would bunge themselves up to the point where they can enjoy a retelling of an all time great mythology

It changes *loads* my friend. Just, so much it's difficult to tell where to start.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

It changes *loads* my friend. Just, so much it's difficult to tell where to start.

No it doesn’t
Tolkien’s words on the page still exist - therefore ‘canon’ does not change
This is an adaptation

 

[Scorpius the Allfather]

It's a mix of two things.

One, wanting to see a story that you basically know the big plot points, but not the details. Or seeing a story fit in within the bigger plot that is known.

Two, Since it is truncating so much, I feel like they won't give themselves a lot of room to let the story breath. Like, they're going to run up against a wall with the last alliance of Elves and Men.

But, we shall see. I do like the show, it's just making me a little off balance so far. I'm not hating on that, just confused.

Like, I'm not the guy who hates that Tom Bombadil was left out of the LoTR's movies, but there are some aspects that were missing that would have added to the movies better. But, I'm also the guy who feels like the theatrical releases miss major beats compared to the extended versions.

The Extended versions are the only ones I'll watch.

 

[Taurus]

No it doesn’t
Tolkien’s words on the page still exist - therefore ‘canon’ does not change
This is an adaptation

Right.

So if you're looking for a canon-accurate adaptation, this is not for you.
Instead of 'change' canon, maybe I should say 'ignores' canon. Because you're right, canon doesn't change.

Take lineages, for example.
Elrond is a direct descendant of Finwë. As Elf-Lord as Elf-Lords get.
Galadriel is a full generation older than Gil-Galad. High King or no, he doesn't order Galadriel to do jack.
Having Clebrimbor and Elendil alive at once is like doing a Bible adaptation where Abraham and Joseph chill out together.
Worse because in this analogy, Celebrimbor is Cain's grandson.

Just a few examples of where RoP diverges from established canon in huge ways.

 

[UncleTrvlingJim]

So, still enjoying it, it is really well done, but I agree that this adaptation changes a lot of things from cannon, and I think it's ok to still like the show but be disappointed that we're not getting a more faithful adaptation.

The main reason is this is condensing the story down significantly which means we get less of the story than we would want. It makes it feel a bit smaller... for us nerds, Tolkien created a mythology that spanned tens of thousands of years, it made everything seem big, grand and epic. And this adaptation condenses thousands of years into a few days.... it makes the whole thing feel less in scope, at least to me.

I also have something of an academic curiosity for the decisions they are making. They spent like a billion dollars to get the IP, but only to the trilogy and appendices. There's lots of hints in there, which is why we're able to see what we're seeing now... And they are spending a lot of money on production value. The script is good, the actors are quite good, the scenery is gorgeous. It's an A movie quality production. So, I clearly think the intent is to do more than 8 episodes -- so why try to condense it like this? Are they going to do a time skip after the rings are forged?

There are some changes I like... They seem to be making Miriel more of an active participant in Numenor's future instead of the more passive character she is in the books. I find that more interesting.

Basically, I've made my peace with the differences - and it does mean I don't know exactly what's going to happen, which I like. I would still love to see some more expansive adaptations.

I'd like to see Beren and Luthien made into a show. I'd love to watch the Children of Hurin, and the fall of Gondolin. And so on...

 

[BigOdin504]

Wife, daughter and I binged it last night. I think it’s entertaining. Looking forward to seeing where it goes.

 

[sfidc3]

I've read people saying otherwise, that the show is nothing like what Tolkien wrote. I forget the setup but apparently the rings should've already been forged, Isildur is over a thousand years early. Someone else called the Harfoots evil because they leave people behind. I don't even remember it all but it sounded like a lot of whining. Oh, someone else said Tolkien is spinning in his grave because of how much they changed. And another saying some people's heads are spinning because they got all kinds of things wrong timeline wise.

Well, those same folks must have hated the LOTR and Hobbit movie series because they certainly weren’t true to the books, not even close, not giving examples as they are numerous and obvious to anyone who has read them….I mean, it‘s just supposed to be entertainment is how I look at it….otherwise I would have stopped watching after Fellowship….Cheers….

 

[Semper]

Well, those same folks must have hated the LOTR and Hobbit movie series because they certainly weren’t true to the books, not even close, not giving examples as they are numerous and obvious to anyone who has read them….I mean, it‘s just supposed to be entertainment is how I look at it….otherwise I would have stopped watching after Fellowship….Cheers….

Ugh remember the first Hobbit? When I was a kid it was a cartoon. Just brutal. Yet still nostalgic.

 

[Yatman]

we offset each other, because i enjoyed bakshi's movie

otoh, irritated he never finished the job

 

[sfidc3]

Ugh remember the first Hobbit? When I was a kid it was a cartoon. Just brutal. Yet still nostalgic.

Yes, was it Rankin and Bass? Probably truer to the story than the Peter Jackson gigantors….that is not to say they weren’t entertaining but the story was not the same story really….