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A New Beginning

Mae Govannen, mellyn nin!

I have returned, with my overview of Rings of Power episodes 1-3. My review of episode four will be available shortly.

It is nice to be back indeed, with Bear McCreary stealing the show once again with the spectacular score and really good visuals proved that the delay was worth it. I will cover the separate storylines individually, just like last time, starting with the Elves and the Three Rings.

As most know, Galadriel is my (so far), favourite character of the series and the Second / Third Ages in general, and she is certainly living up to that standard. The themes of the Elves, including immortality and the pride of it, are very obvious in her, especially with her own forced humility as she is demoted to lieutenant under Elrond. But a nice choice of the showrunners to have her appear at the ceremony where Gil-galad announced the doom of the Elves, even if she wasn’t getting her way, while Elrond stormed away once the Rings were claimed, cementing her as the older and more mature of the two. Remember, Elrond ends up marrying her daughter. Also, I’m really enjoying the work of Annatar and Celebrimbor. Annatar is doing a perfect job of manipulating Celembrimbor and Celebrimbor is doing a great job… being manipulated in front of a camera. Though I do believe that his first age bottle of wine was probably a bit too old…

The Dwarves. I don’t know what to say. We haven’t seen enough of them to judge. Disa continues to steal every scene she’s in, but I don’t know what I think of the plot. Khazad-dum suddenly crumbling because of an eruption half a world away doesn’t quite cut it in terms of a logical explanation. My only theory is that, along with the sick tree in Lindon, this is Sauron’s manipulation. Cause the problem, present the solution.

The Harfoots are still a complete mystery to me. I don’t know who the Stranger is, and I’m holding out hope against hope (really amdir at this point) that it isn’t Gandalf, but references the the Istar, his gand, and more make it highly unlikely. However, we have a new mystery wizard to talk about! He’s considerably less friendly, but I think we have a real possibility that this is a Blue Wizard gone bad. I have heard theories that he is in fact Saruman, but I have my doubts. If it was Saruman, why would Gandalf trust him in the Third Age? It doesn’t seem realistic, and I remain cautiously optimistic.

I have seen episode four, and I think the Isildur, Arondir, and Theo story, as well as Numenor, are better kept for one article. Episode Four’s recap will be released later this week, hopefully before the release of Episode Five. So far I think the season has come out with flying colours and is a dramatic improvement over Season 1. We shall see what else Amazon has in store for us.

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Collector’s Editions

I am back with a small rundown of some of the best collector’s editions of Tolkien’s books that I’ve seen. This is by no means a comprehensive list; merely a few. All prices from Amazon in CAD.

2021 Super Deluxe Edition. LotR: $246, Silmarillion: $132, Hobbit: $200. This edition comes in red, blue, and green respectively with a slip-case and reproductions of the art drawn by Tolkien himself. The LotR also comes with the pages of the Book of Mazarbul and the King’s Letter. This is likely one of the most expensive (and most amazing) editions ever printed.

2021 Basic Deluxe Edition. LotR: $90, Silmarillion $90, Hobbit $75. This edition is my choice; it sits on my shelf in the place of honour as I write. The gilding is red, blue, and green respectively with white tengwar characters spelling out the ring inscription, Valinorean characters, and dwarvish runes respectively. Tolkien’s illustration, and maps. At a (relatively) reasonable price, this edition can be read without fear of destroying it, is quite robust, and even comes in a beautiful box with the Gates of Durin on it (LotR only).

LotR 50th Anniversary Edition: $250. This book is just standard beautiful. It has no bling, or fancy advertising, or tengwar gilding, slipcase, etc, but it has a natural beauty that makes it perfect for reading the book rather than have it sit on your shelf. This would 100% be my first choice, if I had that kind of money to spend on a book.

LotR 2004 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition: $400. No, that wasn’t a typo. Four hundred bucks for this purple-and-white, slipcased edition. The case has a hole to reveal the eye on the cover, which is surrounded by tengwar and other decorations. This is the ultimate collector’s piece; once you have it, there is nothing greater to obtain. But $400 is a bit steep, and it’s hard to come by after 20 years since printing. It certainly isn’t getting cheaper.

These are so far my favourites, if I find something better I’ll be sure to let you know. Remember these are just the most popular single-volume editions; plenty of 3-volume editions are also wonderful, I just prefer the single-volume because it reminds you that Lord of the Rings is not, in fact, a trilogy.

I will be getting back on track with regular articles soon. I have one in the works about the current craze of the sci-fi world, Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune… Stay tuned

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That Which Sauron Knows Not, for They are Older than He

I am, in fact, alive! I have not forsaken you!

There is an interesting quote from Gandalf in the Mines of Moria that I would like to address:

“Far, far below the deepest delving of the Dwarves, the world is gnawed by nameless things. Even Sauron knows them not. They are older than he. Now I have walked there, but I will bring no report to darken the light of day.“

Well, Sauron is a Maia, one of the Ainur who came to Arda at the beginning of the world. There is but one who is older than he, and that is Eru Illuvatar himself, AKA God. So, how can there be nameless things in Arda that are older than the oldest being in Arda?!?!

Well, the answer is, nobody knows. But since when has that stopped us? In Riddles of the Dark, some such creatures were described to be ‘slimier than fish’, but there is no distinct or obvious connection here. But yet again, since when has that stopped us?

Some of you may recall the strange Sea Beast in the Amazon production, in the episode where Galadriel met Halbrand. The ship from Numenor saved them from it, but what was it? It was, in fact, a nameless thing, but was it Gandalf’s nameless thing?

It seems the Balrog knew these tunnels very well, but it also seemed that they were empty. Is it possible that such being died out before the coming of the Children of Illuvatar? What could these things be?

Well, I know I’ve given more questions than answers, but I guess this can join Tom Bombadil on the Unanswerable Questions list. Food for thought. Give me your ideas in the comments

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Earendil of the Edain

While Galadriel was my top 3rd Age character, none can sway me in saying that Earendil is the best character Tolkien ever wrote (with the possible exception of Niggle)

Age Born: Years of the Sun

Age (At time of Landing): 42

Race: Edain

Family: Tuor (Father), Idril (Mother), Elwing (Wife), Elrond and Elros (Sons)

It truly is easier to simply walk into Mordor than to stand against the iron-strong will of Earendil, Savior of Ennor. Born in Gondolin and growing up at the Havens of Sirion, Earendil learned from the Noldor, and was a great warrior even among them. At age 22 (525 FA), he wedded Elwing the Fair, granddaughter of Beren and Luthien, and his parents departed for Valinor, leaving him to live on and rule the Havens of Sirion.

He was always a mariner. More often than not he was at sea on his beautiful ship, Vingilot. Why, I could write a full article on his boat alone! Eventually, though, this lifestyle literally saved his life when the Havens were assailed by Sons of Feanor, Maedhros and Maglor. Elwing alone escaped, diving into the sea wit the Silmaril upon her breast. but Ulmo pitied her, and gave the form of a white dove, and she was able to find her husband at sea. Together, Silmaril upon Earendil’s brow, they sailed West for 4 long years (538-542), until they finally made it to Aman. There they pleaded with the Valar, and the Valar came to Ennor.

But Earendil and Elwing were never again permitted to set foot in Middle-Earth. Vingilot was placed into the sky, and the two were given immortality as they sail through the sky as the night’s brightest star (a reference to Venus, or Undomiel / Evenstar) forever. Earendil defeated Ancalgon, Morgoth’s greatest dragon, and Beleriand was cleansed of the Dark Lord’s taint.

Sadly, Christopher will likely take the film rights for the Silmarilliion to his grave, and we have a long wait still ahead of us before we see Earendil’s story portrayed on the big screen. Perhaps in my lifetime… perhaps not.

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New Category – Tears of the Kingdom

As many of you are likely aware, the newest installment in the Legend of Zelda series has recently been released. Of course, some people have already beaten it, but I will take it at a more leisurely pace, and update you all frequently on random stuff I find! Please note this is not a comprehensive guide (might make one later!), but merely a collection of fun Easter eggs, progress updates, interesting discoveries, etc.

Since I have played this game for a good 10 hrs or so, I have beaten the Lightning Temple (though I was much too cowardly to actually defeat Queen Gibdo, so I remain Riju-less), and am en route to the Wind Temple. I will commence updates now, instead of giving you 15 articles of nonsense from the past 10 hrs all in one go. Thank you, and see you soon!

P.S. Yes, I know I can’t see you. You know what I mean.