1. #6741
    Quote Originally Posted by OwenBurton View Post
    I'm honestly curious as to whether most British people (you know, Tolkien was actually one of them) and most Europeans, Australians, non-Americans actually enjoyed the show or not. So far the strongest defenders AND critics seem to be from mostly Americans fighting over weird culture war issues online, it's very difficult for me to tell whether most people outside the USA, where Amazon is based after all, thinks it's a worthy successor to Jackson and Tolkien's creative work. If any non-American Tolkien fan here can tell me what most of their friends think about the show, here or privately, I would be very grateful!

    I will say though that Amazon is a multinational corporation with billions of dollars and its share of past scandals and allegations of considerable employee mistreatment. I also use Amazon occasionally, but that does certainly not make me blind to its moral failings and past mistakes, some progressive Democrats have strongly criticized its policies in the past. We shouldn't let fantasy entertainment blind us to some of the real issues at hand also, they are still a manifestion of extreme and unchecked capitalism.
    https://www.theguardian.com/technolo...ions-warehouse
    https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/15/u...e-workers.html

    Anyway, I watched several more episodes, and there was some improvement, I admit, Numenor was very impressive and beautiful, but the show itself still seems somewhat lacklustre and average at best, nothing that is breathtaking enough for me to view it as a timeless masterpiece.
    Can’t speak for all, but as someone that is British, and anyone I have spoken to, we are all just “meh” about it. It’s just there if nothing else is on type of thing.

  2. #6742
    Quote Originally Posted by bledgor View Post
    Like a lot of modern media, the undertone is don't think just consume.
    It's not really a modern thing. I do appreciate the irony of posting that sentiment while using a big 3 avatar though.

  3. #6743
    The Insane rhorle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by InfiniteCharger View Post
    Those two books were not publsihed piecemeal.
    In regards to the legendarium they were, right? As they were published while the rest were not. You not understanding is not the same as making a false statement. You also said a complete story doesn't matter so the appendices not being complete is irrelevant. As they are part of the Legendarium and published so they must be included in the entirety of his work. You keep making arbitrary rules for why something doesn't apply in one case but does in another.
    Last edited by rhorle; 2022-10-13 at 03:10 PM.
    "Man is his own star. His acts are his angels, good or ill, While his fatal shadows walk silently beside him."-Rhyme of the Primeval Paradine AFC 54
    You know a community is bad when moderators lock a thread because "...this isnt the place to talk about it either seeing as it will get trolled..."

  4. #6744
    The Insane Kathandira's Avatar
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    Not caught up just yet, but so far, Durin is my favorite. He is a faithful and fierce friend, a great and compassionate leader, and a loving family man. What more can you ask for!?
    RIP Genn Greymane, Permabanned on 8.22.18

    Your name will carry on through generations, and will never be forgotten.

  5. #6745
    Quote Originally Posted by cface View Post
    This is the public its aimed for, and I'm left out of it, which explains why I dislike this show so much. Someone just wants to see high end production on their fancy big TV, and don't care about bonding with any of the characters.
    Not sure how it's possible to get so bad writing in such a big supershow, but it has to be their aim, to write the show down, or else the same guys as your friend, would probably yawn and not feel impressed by his TV.

    It just wasnt our turn to enjoy a good tolkien show, but it will come I'm sure.
    For a totally out of the blue story for LOTR, the shadow of Mordor games are very good. I really enjoyed the story with them. Felt familiar enough to be lord of the rings, but distant enough to stand on its own legs.

    Kinda how I felt with the halo series. It was good enough to be a good sci fi series without the halo name attached.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Kathandira View Post
    Not caught up just yet, but so far, Durin is my favorite. He is a faithful and fierce friend, a great and compassionate leader, and a loving family man. What more can you ask for!?
    Imo, Durin and Elrond were the best parts of the show. But I think that’s the delivery of the actors, more so than the script.

  6. #6746
    The Insane Kathandira's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Soikona View Post
    Imo, Durin and Elrond were the best parts of the show. But I think that’s the delivery of the actors, more so than the script.
    I feel it is a combo. Their dialog together is well written, and the actors are nailing it.
    RIP Genn Greymane, Permabanned on 8.22.18

    Your name will carry on through generations, and will never be forgotten.

  7. #6747
    Quote Originally Posted by Kathandira View Post
    Not caught up just yet, but so far, Durin is my favorite. He is a faithful and fierce friend, a great and compassionate leader, and a loving family man. What more can you ask for!?
    Not to mention. Hi-la-ri-ous.

  8. #6748
    Quote Originally Posted by Hitei View Post
    It's not really a modern thing. I do appreciate the irony of posting that sentiment while using a big 3 avatar though.
    It has gotten a bit more exacerbated recently. As for the avatar been the same one since I started over 12 years ago, and hey its a good character.

    Also nice debut to the thread, nothing about the show, probably because its that bad.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Kathandira View Post
    I feel it is a combo. Their dialog together is well written, and the actors are nailing it.
    Elrond does okay, some bad some good. Durin III and IV though actually have some chops (same with Elendil). The dwarven parts are the saving grace of the show, as even with the issues I could enjoy them. If the rest of the show had been like this it would have at least been tolerable.
    Last edited by bledgor; 2022-10-13 at 03:11 PM.
    Quote Originally Posted by Xarim View Post
    It's a strange and illogical world where not wanting your 10 year old daughter looking at female-identifying pre-op penises at the YMCA could feasibly be considered transphobic.

  9. #6749
    Quote Originally Posted by bledgor View Post
    Like a lot of modern media, the undertone is don't think just consume.
    I do believe there is an unspoken side of the fanbase that has come to expect things like Hobbits and Wizards in any Tolkien related and just want raw 'generic' fantasy.

    I'm already seeing such criticisms from the Star Wars fandom for Andor not having the classic Star Wars tropes of aliens and lightsabers and being too much of a slow burn, even if there's plenty of other Star Wars shows with that already. Andor is masterfully crafted and doesn't insult your intelligence, but that doesn't even matter to a sizeable chunk of the audience.

  10. #6750
    Quote Originally Posted by Triceron View Post
    I do believe there is an unspoken side of the fanbase that has come to expect things like Hobbits and Wizards in any Tolkien related and just want raw 'generic' fantasy.

    I'm already seeing such criticisms from the Star Wars fandom for Andor not having the classic Star Wars tropes of aliens and lightsabers and being too much of a slow burn, even if there's plenty of other Star Wars shows with that already. Andor is masterfully crafted and doesn't insult your intelligence, but that doesn't even matter to a sizeable chunk of the audience.
    See I like hobbits, but to me that isn't iconic Tolkien. Even the wizards, it isn't the normal "wizard". Most people think of WoW or dnd wizards, flinging spells and casting big magic. That wasn't Tolkien's wizards though, they always had the tone of wise old man rather than wizarding old man.

    You could be right though, I just wonder how large that unspoken base is.
    Last edited by bledgor; 2022-10-13 at 03:28 PM.
    Quote Originally Posted by Xarim View Post
    It's a strange and illogical world where not wanting your 10 year old daughter looking at female-identifying pre-op penises at the YMCA could feasibly be considered transphobic.

  11. #6751
    hello im the elistist gatekeeper the sheeple have once again got this one wrong because they are uncultured and not a smart lad like me m'lady

  12. #6752
    Quote Originally Posted by jonnysensible View Post
    hello im the elistist gatekeeper the sheeple have once again got this one wrong because they are uncultured and not a smart lad like me m'lady
    The m'lady folks are the ones defending this trash but nice try mate.

  13. #6753
    The Unstoppable Force Lorgar Aurelian's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Xath View Post
    The m'lady folks are the ones defending this trash but nice try mate.
    Didn’t you post about how if some one skipped some parts of the novels they can’t be real Tolkien fans and shouldn’t be taken seriously in any thing they say?
    All I ever wanted was the truth. Remember those words as you read the ones that follow. I never set out to topple my father's kingdom of lies from a sense of misplaced pride. I never wanted to bleed the species to its marrow, reaving half the galaxy clean of human life in this bitter crusade. I never desired any of this, though I know the reasons for which it must be done. But all I ever wanted was the truth.

  14. #6754
    Quote Originally Posted by bledgor View Post
    See I like hobbits, but to me that isn't iconic Tolkien. Even the wizards, it isn't the normal "wizard". Most people think of WoW or dnd wizards, flinging spells and casting big magic. That wasn't Tolkien's wizards though, they always had the tone of wise old man rather than wizarding old man.

    You could be right though, I just wonder how large that unspoken base is.
    It's in the millions, easily. It's the casual audience. It's people like my mom and dad, or my cousins who aren't as steeped in geek culture as me or my friends. It's the Marvel fans who haven't read a single comic, it's the gamers who only stick with playing mobile games.

    I honestly don't blame Rings of Power for being 'watered down' and skipping over glaring plot holes for the sake of overdramatization, because the audience this show is aimed at is clearly the casuals who aren't going to be bothered by it rather than the enthusiasts. And as an enthusiast, I have to literally turn my brain off to enjoy this show. I wish it weren't the case, but that's the show. And I honestly don't blame it for choosing to be what it is.

    I see this being similar to the Star Wars prequels. Rings of Power is just LOTR made for a different audience. It's not really for the Book fans, or dare I say even the original trilogy fans. It's got some stuff that is still LOTR, but it isn't the Original Trilogy that enthusiasts love. And that's still okay, because like Star Wars, the Prequels have their place even if they're not the best movies. And honestly, just because I personally don't like the prequels, and acknowledge that there are many people who also don't like the prequels, I still acknowledge that there's a HUGE fanbase in the millions who do like it. And that's okay.

    This isn't my Lord of the Rings, but as a general Tolkien/Middle-Earth enthusiast, I'll still consume what we've got because it's what we've got. Much like I 'suffered' through the full 3 extended Hobbit movies, knowing that I didn't really enjoy them as much as I'd like to. All I can hope is for a Tolkien enthusiast with video editing skills will come around and maybe take a crack at making a more palettable version of the series that doesn't hold my hand through the story. As I say many times in this thread, the Maple cut of the Hobbit is one of my favourite versions of the film, and it makes the Hobbit Trilogy better by trimming the fat. And with Rings of Power, I think there's a lot of fat to trim.
    Last edited by Triceron; 2022-10-13 at 05:18 PM.

  15. #6755
    Quote Originally Posted by Triceron View Post
    It's in the millions, easily. It's the casual audience. It's people like my mom and dad, or my cousins who aren't as steeped in geek culture as me or my friends. It's the Marvel fans who haven't read a single comic, it's the gamers who only stick with playing mobile games.

    I honestly don't blame Rings of Power for being 'watered down' and skipping over glaring plot holes for the sake of overdramatization, because the audience this show is aimed at is clearly the casuals who aren't going to be bothered by it rather than the enthusiasts. And as an enthusiast, I have to literally turn my brain off to enjoy this show. I wish it weren't the case, but that's the show. And I honestly don't blame it for choosing to be what it is.

    I see this being similar to the Star Wars prequels. Rings of Power is just LOTR made for a different audience. It's not really for the Book fans, or dare I say even the original trilogy fans. It's got some stuff that is still LOTR, but it isn't the Original Trilogy that enthusiasts love. And that's still okay, because like Star Wars, the Prequels have their place even if they're not the best movies. And honestly, just because I personally don't like the prequels, and acknowledge that there are many people who also don't like the prequels, I still acknowledge that there's a HUGE fanbase in the millions who do like it. And that's okay.

    This isn't my Lord of the Rings, but as a general Tolkien/Middle-Earth enthusiast, I'll still consume what we've got because it's what we've got. Much like I 'suffered' through the full 3 extended Hobbit movies, knowing that I didn't really enjoy them as much as I'd like to. All I can hope is for a Tolkien enthusiast with video editing skills will come around and maybe take a crack at making a more palettable version of the series that doesn't hold my hand through the story. As I say many times in this thread, the Maple cut of the Hobbit is one of my favourite versions of the film, and it makes the Hobbit Trilogy better by trimming the fat. And with Rings of Power, I think there's a lot of fat to trim.
    I think the difference is I rather rather not have trash and be left with nothing than try to pretend to be happy with trash.

    Also I also know people that enjoyed the prequels and sequels (the normies if you will). From what they have said I think Amazon really fucked up with the lack of sensible time scale in the show, because if the normies have trouble following along you are depending on your characters to carry the interest. The characters in this have largely missed, and when you add on HotD is airing at the same time with Matt Smith having an amazing performance, can't help but laugh at the blunder by Amazon.

    The prequels with the many, many issues it had at least had some great world building/expansion, that allowed for some of the most amazing games ever to be made. Perhaps Rings of Power will inspire some company to create an amazing Tolkien based game, I just don't get that feeling.

    Also unless a fan edit removed Galadriel completely going to be hard to make this show good, she is just such an insufferable Karen.
    Quote Originally Posted by Xarim View Post
    It's a strange and illogical world where not wanting your 10 year old daughter looking at female-identifying pre-op penises at the YMCA could feasibly be considered transphobic.

  16. #6756
    Quote Originally Posted by bledgor View Post
    I think the difference is I rather rather not have trash and be left with nothing than try to pretend to be happy with trash.
    But why?

    It's not like just because we have one mediocre Amazon LOTR/Middle Earth project it means there's no room for other projects. We have others like War of the Rohirrim on the way in full production, which I'm hoping would be good. There's plenty of room for all projects.

    Cuz like, I don't see RoP any differently than say Shadows of War. And let's face it, those games had trash story too, even if the gameplay and everything else was decent. I wouldn't say I'd rather not have those games just because the story was not great.

    Also unless a fan edit removed Galadriel completely going to be hard to make this show good, she is just such an insufferable Karen.
    That's the beauty of fan edits really. There's so many out there that you can pick and choose your poison. I've seen fan edits of prequels that remove Jar Jar and re-voiced the Trade Federation aliens. Or there are 'edits' that remove kid Anakin entirely, like the Machete Order, which suggests dropping Phantom Menace entirely out of watching both OT and prequel trilogies together.

    I think Galadriel could be edited to be less of a Karen, but it'd take quite an effort considering the show doesn't really give a lot of room to work with.

    Like, just humoring the idea, have Galadriel be shown finding Sauron's sigil, and cut out all the second in command dude's dialog to make it seem like the Elves are following her order. Remove the Snow Troll and mutiny scenes completely.

    Cut to her at Lindon speaking to Elrond, somehow edit it to seem like she's going to continue her search. Remove all dialog about Valinor, make it seem like she's getting on the boat to further her search. As she's on the boat with her team, imply that they greet Elendil at sea, with it being implied he's escorting her to Numenor.

    This would reframe her story being on a consistent story to search for Sauron, and puts her in a position in the sea that is between Numenor and Middle Earth rather than between Valinor and Numenor. And from there, focus on the parts that are all about the search for Sauron. Downplay the anti-Elf politics, keep anything that supports the idea that she is able to rally Numenorean support from the start. You can keep the 'Dey took er jerbs' scene, and it would now be in the context of the citizens of Numenor feeling threatened by Galadriel having arriving directly with her team of Elves. Have Miriel and Elendil in support of Galadriel. Edit the training scene to be more focused on her merely gaining respect of the Numenorean soldiers, less of her showing off. Remove the boat bombing. Have Miriel's speech punctuate the Numenor arc, transitioning them straight into the Southlands.

    This would be a much smoother transition to her presence in the Southlands.
    Last edited by Triceron; 2022-10-13 at 06:41 PM.

  17. #6757
    Quote Originally Posted by Triceron View Post
    But why?

    It's not like just because we have one mediocre Amazon LOTR/Middle Earth project it means there's no room for other projects. We have others like War of the Rohirrim on the way in full production, which I'm hoping would be good. There's plenty of room for all projects.

    Cuz like, I don't see RoP any differently than say Shadows of War. And let's face it, those games had trash story too, even if the gameplay and everything else was decent. I wouldn't say I'd rather not have those games just because the story was not great.
    Well for one it makes other series less likely, though not impossible (likes you said with War of the Rohirrim), the key problem is I have no faith in any production from Amazon. They have largely proven to me they shouldn't be trusted to faithfully produce quality adaptation. Not sure about their originals, but I have been time and again disappointed in their adaptations. If someone else wants to make a Tolkien based work, I will give it a go, but Amazon has lost my faith (and doesn't deserve it with the way they treat their people).

    I have played shadow or war, and while the game rightly has a pretty fucking awful story, as you admit I too enjoyed the game play. That is the difference though, with games if they have great game play you can find enjoyment in them, though I don't recall ever suggesting the game to anyone so glass half full. I mean how many games now a days are basically only multiplayer/have bare bones/crap stories, but have a massive player base because of how fun the games are to play?

    With a show, I can't get that same enjoyment of "playing" them, I can only get my enjoyment from having a story presented to me. If they story is shit, it makes it neigh impossible to enjoy the show, especially when I really enjoy the source of the story, as you basically can only use the visuals/audio/music to try and keep me engaged (something the Tron: Legacy movie does, I barely remember the plot but god I love that soundtrack). So I guess we see this differently.
    Quote Originally Posted by Xarim View Post
    It's a strange and illogical world where not wanting your 10 year old daughter looking at female-identifying pre-op penises at the YMCA could feasibly be considered transphobic.

  18. #6758
    Quote Originally Posted by bledgor View Post
    Well for one it makes other series less likely, though not impossible (likes you said with War of the Rohirrim), the key problem is I have no faith in any production from Amazon. They have largely proven to me they shouldn't be trusted to faithfully produce quality adaptation.
    That's quite presumptuous, considering they've also produced quality work like Critical Role, Invincible and The Boys, which are all adaptations in their own right.

    With a show, I can't get that same enjoyment of "playing" them, I can only get my enjoyment from having a story presented to me. If they story is shit, it makes it neigh impossible to enjoy the show, especially when I really enjoy the source of the story, as you basically can only use the visuals/audio/music to try and keep me engaged (something the Tron: Legacy movie does, I barely remember the plot but god I love that soundtrack). So I guess we see this differently.
    I guess I just have a higher tolerance for bullshit having gone through so much of it as a fan of so many properties that have since gone down the shitter *cough* WARCRAFT *cough*. I mean, enjoying what you can is all you can really do, and if not, just move on from it until something better comes along or someone comes around to make a sensible edit. I just don't see the point of denying its existence, because even like you say with Tron: Legacy, even though I agree the story is shit, I'd rather have the movie exist so I can enjoy the visuals and Daft Punk's amazing soundtrack, rather than not have it at all.
    Last edited by Triceron; 2022-10-13 at 06:51 PM.

  19. #6759
    Quote Originally Posted by Triceron View Post
    That's quite presumptuous, considering they've also produced quality work like Critical Role, Invincible and The Boys, which are all adaptations in their own right.
    The boys started great, but season 2 and 3 were meh to me, not amazing not bad. Invincible I haven't watched, and critical role I just can't get into.

    The have also done The Wheel of Time which was utter garbage, and the later seasons of The Expanse (which while enjoyable were not as good as the first few seasons especially the final season, it had great potential but ended so flat it ruined the good it had).

    That seems to be a trend with the series they have that start good/they inherit, as I really enjoyed the first season of Jack Ryan they did, but the 2nd season I can't even say was bad because after I watched it I completely forgot just about everything about it, it was utterly forgettable. Upload also had a good start but season 2 I got like 3 episodes in and didn't ever finish.

    To be fair netflix does this a lot too, and I don't have high opinions of their work lately either (minus season 4 Stranger things). They had Altered Carbon which had an amazing season 1 but a bad season 2, also Witcher season 1 which was enjoyable, followed by a season 2 which was a large step down, or even The Umbrella Academy where 1 was great, 2 had its moments, and 3 was largely bleh (I really wanted more from the 5 and Klaus roadtrip).

    Quote Originally Posted by Triceron View Post
    I guess I just have a higher tolerance for bullshit having gone through so much of it as a fan of so many properties that have since gone down the shitter *cough* WARCRAFT *cough*. I mean, enjoying what you can is all you can really do, and if not, just move on from it until something better comes along or someone comes around to make a sensible edit. I just don't see the point of denying its existence, because even like you say with Tron: Legacy, even though I agree the story is shit, I'd rather have the movie exist so I can enjoy the visuals and Daft Punk's amazing soundtrack, rather than not have it at all.
    Probably, I used to have a greater tolerance, but as I get older I just don't care to hold my nose anymore. I won't deny existence, I just don't want it to continue to exist, as it is soaking up the resources other shows could use, and denying potential new life from the source. Think of how much was invested into the Rings of Power, and how much could have been done with that half a billion they spent on this season alone. Then compare that to what we got, and it makes me pissed off.

    As for the Tron: Legacy, as I said we at least got an amazing soundtrack out of that. With the Rings of power yeah sure there are some great screensavers from it, but the music while good is nothing I will put on in the background while I do things. For $500 million and Tolkien we should expect and deserve more. With Tron: legacy it had a smaller budget than the even the rights to Tolkien that amazon paid for, and it had much smaller expectations from the source material.
    Last edited by bledgor; 2022-10-13 at 07:10 PM.
    Quote Originally Posted by Xarim View Post
    It's a strange and illogical world where not wanting your 10 year old daughter looking at female-identifying pre-op penises at the YMCA could feasibly be considered transphobic.

  20. #6760
    Quote Originally Posted by rhorle View Post
    In regards to the legendarium they were, right? As they were published while the rest were not. You not understanding is not the same as making a false statement. You also said a complete story doesn't matter so the appendices not being complete is irrelevant. As they are part of the Legendarium and published so they must be included in the entirety of his work. You keep making arbitrary rules for why something doesn't apply in one case but does in another.
    Dude. We disagree OK? Stop repeating yourself. You are wrong.
    There is no other way to say it that makes what you are saying correct.
    The appendices by themselves separate from everything else were not intended to be the story of the 2nd age.
    By saying that you are arguing that the rest of the legendarium doesn't matter, as in the Unfinished Tales, Silmarillion and so forth.
    You are just repeating yourself and you just keep being wrong. And it does matter because he spent his live on all of those works.
    So to argue that the appendices by themselves represent everything he intended for the 2nd age and prior is false.

    You aren't winning anything because nothing you say is correct.

    Not to mention that it doesn't matter what he intended because he is dead.
    So it is a moot point. Obviously the Tolkien Estate doesn't care and allowed Amazon free reign.
    The Tolkien Estate is not JRR Tolkien. Repeating yourself isn't changing that fact.

    So just agree to disagree and move on.
    Last edited by InfiniteCharger; 2022-10-13 at 07:44 PM.

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