Category: Rings of Power

OK, I knew this was going to happen, they said they were doing it, I know why they did it, but I think it only makes their job more difficult.

Rings of Power makes use of a ‘compressed’ Middle-Earth timeline. The events in Middle-Earth with Sauron’s rise to power and Arondir take place in c. 1000 Second Age, whereas the events in Numenor, such as the reign of Tar-Miriel, Tar-Palantir, and ‘Chancellor’ Pharazon, happen in c. 3200. This was done to ‘avoid the human characters constantly dying out due to their relatively short lifespans’.

The greatest theme with Human – Elf romances, across all fantasy that contains them, is the lifespan difference and immortality. Usually the elf has to give up their immortality, but this is not always the case. Amazon puts Bronwyn and Arondir in this relationship, while cutting the sense of mortality and shortness of time that makes these stories potent.

I understand this was a move that had to be made in order to make a good show out of it that appealed to more than just the hardcore Tolkien fandom, but just looking at the timeline is just too much for me. I’d be fine if it was 100 years, maybe 500, but 2200 years difference, just gone, with several major events, is too much. Logically, this divide will shorten over the course of the seasons, but it is just a blow to the effectiveness of this story on me.

I’m back with the next installment of Rings of Power. Once again, i will cover each story we’ve seen independently.

Galadriel’s story has gone well so far. My fears about Miriel being portrayed wrong were healed, and Numenor is finally done properly. I’m getting a severe Chancellor Palpatine vibe for Pharazon, and I’m not sure if I like it, though I think that’s bound to happen anyway. Lastly, I’m not quite sure why Miriel said the other six Palantir were lost; we know where most of them are.

Elrond’s continues on the same track as before, but I’m a little confused. It’s Sauron that teaches the elves to make the Rings of Power, but so far, no Sauron in Eregion.

Finally, I stand by my previous statement with Arondir. Though Adar is fleshed out to be a much better guy, I’m still incredibly confused at why he has an elvish name among orcs.

While I’m at it, I came up with a fantastic theory for Meteor Man: everybody’s been talking about Earendil a bit, and he did get turned into a star… I hate this idea, and if I see it fulfilled Amazon will have trouble regaining my faith. But only time will tell.

This is the first post under Rings of Power. I will go over the first three episodes of Amzon’s show, in short format.

Galadriel’s story is, in my mind, canon enough. The specific events that have happened with her so far are maybe not perfect, but acceptable enough for me. I feel Tar-Miriel and Elendil are not portrayed very well based on what we’ve been given, but that can be fixed. So far, so good.

Elrond’s story is wonderful. Almost perfectly faithful to the lore. Elrond was friends with Durin, and this conflict is not mentioned, but can be expected, due to the life expectancy difference. Some points:

1. The Rite of Sigin-Tarag is not 100% well portrayed
2. Disa doesn’t have a beard!!!!!!!

Nori’s story is not the type of thing Tolkien would write yet. So far, it could 100% have happened, aside from Meteor Man, but he just didn’t write it, because it just isn’t that important.

Arondir’s story is, in my opinion, not even worth following. It’s nice to see the Southlands get transformed into Mordor, but with my specific-ness on the non-existence of black elves, and Tolkien’s specific-ness about the number of human-elf romances across the ages, I just cannot accept this as canon. Orcs would never use an elvish name, such as Adar, or father, for their leader, so there’s yet another strike.

So far, I’m excited to see what this evolves into, but skeptical and scared at the same time. Overall I’d say 7 / 10. But we shall see.