Yeah thats how opinions work lol. I think its a failry well watched show, just not for us... From what i remember it (HOD) is certainly produced at a higher level then this LOTR, but we're watching the later, even recognizing its flawed in many ways, and not the former. That's just how it goes sometimes. There's lots of "good" shows that just arent for me!
I watched the first episode of the second season last night and so far good. It starts stronger than the first season so the show might’ve hit its stride.
It's better than season 1. I've enjoyed it well enough for passable fantasy entertainment. The special effects are top notch, the story is alright so far.
finally had a chance to catch up and surprisingly, it's a whole lot better than I expected. Much better than season 1. Acting has improved a lot. It still seems to chop up canon but if you aren't looking for that they do a good job. Sauron is a compelling villain and he did a much better job than with Halbrand.
It's nice to finally understand Sauron's motivations at a deeper level. His genius comes across. Something that the original trilogy did not make clear for me. That has added depth to the entire story. And I think Sauron has been excellent in the series. But I also like Galadrielle and Elron. This has been very good and interesting and near the level of the movies. What I need to know now is what went wrong. If he gives the rings to the people of his choice, and he controls them, how does this plan get messed up.
Last episode was one of the best of the series, very Helm's Deep feel to it but I apprecaiated how most of the story threads are coming together....
Season 2 ended with a banger. Overall, jut like the Wheel of Time, season 2 was a huge uptick in quality. Both shows are flawed, but I'm at least interested on seeing what happens next, unlike the end of season 1 in which I was like "meh", for both of them. Looking forward to S3 and now I can actually recommend the show to others, if only for those with interest in fantasy.
First six episodes were slow but the last two really tied everything together with some nice payoffs, surprised at how many characters met their demise in the finale.....
I finished season 2 last night and they finished very strongly. The action was good (although the actress playing Galadriel and their fight choreographer really need to improve). Acting and story was much stronger but as a nerd I'm still bothered by a few things where they differ from Tolkien as laid out in the Silmarillion and other material. Spoiler The fall of Eregion was really good and is part of the original Tolkien storyline. That the orcs once rebelled against Sauron I don't remember in Tolkien but think it worked overall and liked how Adar ties the origins of the Orcs back to the elves. It's understandable but they are rushing and combining things that in Tolkien's timeline was thousands of years apart. The Balrog in Khazad Dum doesn't happen until the Third Age. Although it appears they are just shutting up the Balrog up so maybe it just sits there for another thousand years. I expected they would make the Stranger Gandalf because it will pull in more casual fans but Gandalf isn't supposed to show up until the middle of the Third Age or a thousand years after the one Ring is first lost. I've not read it but supposedly there was a story that Olorin, the demi-god who becomes Gandalf, did make a trip to Middle Earth in the second age but was only there for a short time. What is in Tolkien lore is two wizards, The Blue Wizards, showed up in the second age and went to Rhun. It would've made sense if the dark wizard and the Stranger were the blue wizards but I get that the writers felt having Gandalf show up would bring in more fans. What I really hope they don't do is make the Dark Wizard Saruman as he is still considered good up until LOTR. While the Ents are pretty cool they don't play much of a role in the history of the Second Age. I noticed one of the Ents in Rings of Power was female. Not sure if they did it just for DEI purposes but the "Entwives" are lost by the time of LOTR and in LOTR Treebeard specifically says they disappeared at the beginning of the Third Age. Also the Entwives weren't protectors of the forest but gardeners who taught Elves and humans how to farm. What is interesting and fits into with Tolkien is what is happening with Numenor. While Ar Pharozan does turn away from the Valar and bans the use of the Palantir Elendil gets hold of them and smuggles them out of Numenor. There are also supposed to be seven Palantir but by the time of the LOTR there are only two left. Anyway these are just nerdy criticisms as overall think the show has hit it's stride and look forward to next season.
Season 1 was super slow, was surprised it got a 2nd season, but season 2 was super strong, especially the finish and tied it all together. Can't wait for season 3......really well done. DD
