Had a lot of fun today! And I learned a lot about LOTR lore from both this stream, and the video yesterday about the Shipwright. Great content and sharp fellow readers to talk about it with 👌🌚
Regarding time compression, I think it would have really illustrated the difference in lifespan between elves and dwarves and men if they HADN'T done the time compression. They could have done the whole forging of the rings during the first season and only introduced men and dwarves in the second season when Sauron failed to ensnare the elves and so decided to give the rings to dwarves and men. I think the main reason they decided to do the time compression is because they wanted the "Sauron Mystery Box". If we are supposed to guess between Halbrand, the Stranger, and Adar then all of those storylines have to start at the same time. So their Mystery Box was a bad idea for more than one reason.
The barrow wights: modern people might think it's strange for people to live among the barrows as Robert states, but remember that Rohan also had their barrows right near the houses. In the Game of Thrones universe Winterfell is built right on top of their barrows. And IRL when the US was young people in the West often buried their dead on their own property because there were no graveyards yet.
I'm stuck somewhere between "OMG FINALLY WE GET TO SEE TOM!!!" and "uh oh... but that's not Tom..." Which makes me think its the writers. The actor who played Tom said he is his wife's favorite character. I'm sure she told him all about the character. ETA: I really loved the interaction with an Ent wife. I had tears in my eyes knowing they are lost over time 😢 I am okay with the way they are portraying Isildur. Movie only folks get to see a different side of him. Did he mess up? Definitely. But we need to remember that even Frodo couldn't destroy the ring at the end.
Absolutely agree with the criticism of Tom. His knowledge of the "dark wizard", Sauron and his recommendation to "the stranger" that he has a task just makes no sense in the character. And then when they juxtapose it with attempts to show him outside the mortal world, just doesnt work then. They keep making presentational decisions which make no sense in a narrative sense
My impression was that this post was meant to be the first of several as he only covered the first two episodes. Since he removed the post I’m not sure if he’ll be able to say anything else
There is no mention of the name Annatar in the variant in which Galadriel is in Eregion. _Annatar_ is from _Of the Rings of Power_ which has no mention of Galadriel being in Eregion (something that developed after publication of LotR). The names for Sauron associated with the Galadriel in Eregion version are Artano, or Aulendil.
GRRM says that killing Maelor messes up the story even though he's pointless and dies early anway. He's fine with them making the Velaryons black and completely upsetting the entire Targaryen dynasty though?
Wow, I've read Fire & Blood maybe 5 times. I didn't see Bitterbridge as directly inspiring the riots in Kings Landing. It would've been nice to have Maelor on the show and that Bitterbridge scene will be missed, though I don't see it impacting the story in a notable way to have Maelor out. I'm really surprised that George is so bothered by it. Maybe George is reacting to future omissions, Nettles being what comes to mind first. Omitting Nettles is a really big change that bums me out. Generally I think the show is great.
![The History of Sauron [COMPILATION] | Tolkien Explained](/img/n.gif)
GRRM talk @1:18:05
You're they goat thankyou
Had a lot of fun today! And I learned a lot about LOTR lore from both this stream, and the video yesterday about the Shipwright. Great content and sharp fellow readers to talk about it with 👌🌚
Regarding time compression, I think it would have really illustrated the difference in lifespan between elves and dwarves and men if they HADN'T done the time compression. They could have done the whole forging of the rings during the first season and only introduced men and dwarves in the second season when Sauron failed to ensnare the elves and so decided to give the rings to dwarves and men. I think the main reason they decided to do the time compression is because they wanted the "Sauron Mystery Box". If we are supposed to guess between Halbrand, the Stranger, and Adar then all of those storylines have to start at the same time. So their Mystery Box was a bad idea for more than one reason.
Fun show
The barrow wights: modern people might think it's strange for people to live among the barrows as Robert states, but remember that Rohan also had their barrows right near the houses. In the Game of Thrones universe Winterfell is built right on top of their barrows. And IRL when the US was young people in the West often buried their dead on their own property because there were no graveyards yet.
I'm stuck somewhere between "OMG FINALLY WE GET TO SEE TOM!!!" and "uh oh... but that's not Tom..." Which makes me think its the writers. The actor who played Tom said he is his wife's favorite character. I'm sure she told him all about the character.
ETA: I really loved the interaction with an Ent wife. I had tears in my eyes knowing they are lost over time 😢
I am okay with the way they are portraying Isildur. Movie only folks get to see a different side of him. Did he mess up? Definitely. But we need to remember that even Frodo couldn't destroy the ring at the end.
Absolutely agree with the criticism of Tom. His knowledge of the "dark wizard", Sauron and his recommendation to "the stranger" that he has a task just makes no sense in the character. And then when they juxtapose it with attempts to show him outside the mortal world, just doesnt work then. They keep making presentational decisions which make no sense in a narrative sense
I'll be honest and say that I thought GRRM would have mentioned some of the other faults of season 2.
My impression was that this post was meant to be the first of several as he only covered the first two episodes. Since he removed the post I’m not sure if he’ll be able to say anything else
Adar would be an interesting addition except that he is leading the orcs against Sauron which didn't happen.
There is no mention of the name Annatar in the variant in which Galadriel is in Eregion.
_Annatar_ is from _Of the Rings of Power_ which has no mention of Galadriel being in Eregion (something that developed after publication of LotR).
The names for Sauron associated with the Galadriel in Eregion version are Artano, or Aulendil.
The dwarves feel like a bad soap opera
GRRM says that killing Maelor messes up the story even though he's pointless and dies early anway.
He's fine with them making the Velaryons black and completely upsetting the entire Targaryen dynasty though?
👍🏼
The portrayal of Galadriel as like an inexperienced, mid-20s human who is going on a coming-of-age arc just makes no sense
I love IDG but ROP is an absolute dumpster fire. ❤
I've been referring to Elrond as "Lil Bit** Elrond" this season due to his lack of any redeeming qualities and constant whining and moaning.
Burn this show, its not Tolkien.
Wow, I've read Fire & Blood maybe 5 times. I didn't see Bitterbridge as directly inspiring the riots in Kings Landing. It would've been nice to have Maelor on the show and that Bitterbridge scene will be missed, though I don't see it impacting the story in a notable way to have Maelor out. I'm really surprised that George is so bothered by it. Maybe George is reacting to future omissions, Nettles being what comes to mind first. Omitting Nettles is a really big change that bums me out. Generally I think the show is great.