Rings Of Power Is Officially GREAT - Why Wasn’t Season 1 This Good

[@awkwardmonkee]

I like the new actor they got for Adar. He’s a better fit I think. And the guy who plays Sauron is just excellent. First season was too Galadriel heavy and this season is more balanced with better structure. I commend the team behind the show for working to make it better than season 1

[@Quazi-Moto]

I agree about the actor playing Adar. I think he even looks better in the makeup than Uncle Benjen did..

[@awkwardmonkee]

@@Quazi-Moto 😂😂 💯

[@zackwalker1721]

The first actor had a meloncoly to him, and the new actor is a lot colder. A lot of it no doubt has to do with the influence of each actor, but also that's just the natural progression of the character I think (as explicitly spelled out by that one orc who's second guessing how much he loves all of them) I'd have been curious to see what the original actor would've done with it, but yes, the new actor is holding his own.

[@jorgearsagonz3143]

I really enjoyed season 1 , especially the last episode with the creation of Mount Doom. I always said that season 1 was a long prologue which set all pieces on the table, making us, not care (just yet), invest on the characters and all those storylines which started there, finally paid off this season. I’m with John in that: Rings Of Power season 2 is MAGNIFICENT!

[@jaimebergner]

Shrugs. I never understood the hate for the show. I hope they get to make the five seasons planned.

[@t1ydot]

This season has strong emphasis on how Sauron is manipulating everyone as the puppet master. To me Sauron is the best and most interesting character in this series.

[@erikschakel487]

I hate how much hate this show is getting it’s just not fair. Yes this show has some problems but it’s perfectly competent.

[@therealeverton]

Star Trek: The Next Generation AND Star Trek: Deep Space 9 both had massive improvements during series 2 and turned great in series 3.

[@MetzScarvenger]

I'm one of the people who really enjoyed season 1, and appreciated that while it needed some tightening, it was a lot of set up for what we're getting now. Season 2 has been FIRE. Glad to see people are giving it a second chance.

[@mish375]

I loved Season 1 too and Season 2 is even better. I think a lot of people lack the patience because S1 had to build up a bunch of different stories to set things up. Now they can hit the ground running by pulling those story threads together.

[@richiexp2]

I rewatched season 1 before season 2 started and i enjoyed it more...

[@therealeverton]

As with the films, the show is much bigger outside of America.

[@C-Bee]

Heck yeah it is this season was pretty damn good. Can’t wait for next weeks ep.

[@adejohhojeda2982]

I must be among the minorty that really liked season 1 and 2 alike. A couple of slow episodes here and there, but uptimately a good show to me

[@BigJim5754]

S1 was "meh", S2 is great, only problem the show still has is the tiny amount of extras they put out in some scenes. Prince Durin gives his rousing war speech to like 20 dwarves and then briefly they pan out to the kingdom of cgi dwarves, Annatar address' Eregion in the main square w maybe 20 elves standing around, during the siege we never see more then 10-15 elves defending the walls etc.... is it a tiny outpost or a celebrated city, Queen Miriels coronation and then later the sea monster judgement scene in Númenor @ 20ish people at most again. Gives an otherwise expensive and expansive show a cheapish feel sometimes.

[@matiasdevaglia4541]

@@BigJim5754 I think they are working under similar sanitary restrictions to the ones they had while filming season 1. They'll probably increase the amount of extras and the scale of battles little by little.

[@paulappleton9666]

Glad to hear it's better than season 1, but I'm sorry, I won't be a returning viewer.

[@alwaysbam]

Season 1 was fine PEOPLE just had NO patience. Yall couldn't even let them world build. Fuckin 5 years olds

[@ahmorgan]

Nah, it's not that. The showrunners are in over their heads. Despite having a larger budget and more screen time than the movies, the scope feels smaller. It's just not very good. For instance, who was the elf character shooting arrows who blew up the orc contraption? Why should I care that she died? They spent no time developing her character, so when she got hit with at least 15 arrows, it didn’t matter. If they were trying to recreate the Boromir scene from The Fellowship of the Ring, it didn’t work. That scene was powerful because Boromir was redeeming himself after nearly succumbing to the ring.

[@loki2stunt]

​@@ahmorgan it was about the sacrifice..elf blood was being spilled on a horrendous level... talk about seeing the bigger picture. 😅 the biggest flaw is the elves should've out numbered the orgs. That city was huge.

[@mish375]

Agreed. They had to set storylines and characters up and build those things up. Both seasons are great, but Season 2 has taken off running.

[@jroark101]

Season 1 I really enjoyed actually, it was always. Great show John.

[@danieltownsend6202]

I wasnt as put off with Season 1 as most but agree it wasnt as good as it should of been. This season however, for me, has been pretty much epic from the start, particularly from Ep 4 onwards. Needs to stick the landing.. but so far its show of the year for me (surprised im saying that) ahead of Fallout and Masters of the Air. Its certainly better than HotD S2 now. Last nights episode is everything I wanted this show to be and I honestly dont think it would have been out of place in Jacksons trilogy, it’s that good. Not quite as legendary as the battles in there of course, but it was helms deep ish. A very solid attempt. Everyone who is crying about the show being a true reflection of Tolkien. True, and I get you, but get over it. Kris said it perfectly. Go read the books, you will ALWAYS have that story ❤ But if you want another take, and if you have an open mind, Im pretty sure you will enjoy this adaption of middle earth. It does make me scared for season 3 though. Can they maintain this level?

[@oldahe865]

unpopular opinion, but i think this series should be enjoyed as it is; a tv drama and action-adventure series. Not so much compare it slave-like to everything written or not written by Tolkien; if we just compare the episodes to the OG material second-by-second we cant just lie back to enjoy even a moment of it

[@DioStandsStill]

True it should be enjoyed like that not compared to the lore. I think eventually all franchises when given long enough time morphs into something that is mostly different thing even game franchises does that with game mechanics and graphics

[@B0110-x3d]

Lmao.

[@TearfulFriend18]

I find this take really confusing. I don’t think Season 2 is much of an improvement over Season 1, because Season 1 was already great. What Season 2 is doing is starting to pay things off given the setup we got in S1. I’m glad people are enjoying this more but saying it’s this incredible improvement is just odd to me.

[@MrArgman]

season one was awful, as is season 2

[@darthwars237]

So, if we want a faithful ADAPTATION of Tolkien, we must go... read Tolkien's books?! But the books are the source material, not a TV adaptation of themselves, it doesn't make any sense! If I want a faithful adaptation on screen, reading the books will not do any good for me, right? Come on, do you even think before talking?

[@JM-19-86]

If you want a faithful adaptation, make it yourself

[@darthwars237]

@@JM-19-86 that's not my job, pal

[@wildbard4112]

Making an adaptation is not easy

[@worlddd7777]

So every time there is some huge battle, show becomes great. Same old pattern

[@TheDisruptiveOne]

I haven't heard anyone else say it is good.

[@jakepolacek6209]

@@CodyDoodle33 I am simply trying to understand what people are seeing. I don’t understand how anybody says it’s good.

[@TheDisruptiveOne]

@@jakepolacek6209 i think it is incredibly boring. i am not tripped up about the lore because I don't know it. Viewers are voting every week though. there is a reason they have lost a ton of their audience. i think campea is sharing a minority opinion here. he is one of the few people enjoying this show.

[@unclejoey32]

It’s very good. I am in a different echo chamber I must admit. Funny how the internet works

[@jakepolacek6209]

@@unclejoey32 I’m not trying to bash you. I’m generally curious what you think is good about the show. I would love to hear your opinions.

[@Quazi-Moto]

@@unclejoey32 Ditto to what jakepolacek6209 asked. Genuinely curious.

[@elvistran4595]

It just sucks less.

[@zaahidgarda]

Enjoying this season!!

[@tfg9109]

The latest ep had some of the dumbest writing I’ve seen all season.

[@troycambo]

yet you keep watching. you must be smart

[@GreyEagle]

I think this season is better but definitely not great imo.

[@michaellee9926]

Well to be fair John doesn’t know anything about Tolkien or the lore

[@Bryan00_]

Agree, improvement from season 1 for sure but not great

[@No-Kung-Fu]

@@michaellee9926 Does he know anything about good writing? because if he did there would be no way he would call this terrible show "great".

[@Tyler_Pifer92]

@@michaellee9926 Kris does though. It’s not as serious as some people make it out to be.

[@jacketernity4609]

Agreed. 👍🏻💯.

[@Tyler_Pifer92]

Kris nailed it. If you expect a faithful adaptation, this show isn’t for you. Once I’ve separated the show from the source material, I’ve enjoyed this far more.

[@thehacker4012]

The original LOTR trilogy wasn't the most faithful to the source material either.

[@michaellee9926]

@@thehacker4012it was still 1000x closer

[@thehacker4012]

@@michaellee9926 It depends on what exactly you're talking about.

[@No-Kung-Fu]

Sorry the writing on this show is so bad that it doesn't even matter. Even if this was not about LOTR I would still say it sucks complete ass.

[@thehacker4012]

@@No-Kung-Fu I get it, the show sucks because there are black Elves and black Hobbits.

[@johnharkins2009]

I agree season 2 is a little better. However I was really hoping you would have called this episode out. It was one of the worst for me. The battle of eregion was a mess. So disorientating. We were given no sense of the scale of each side’s army. Really foolish choices from all the characters. No clear objective for either faction. You couldn’t get a sense of the geography so there was no real tension. Not understanding where the main characters were just made it feel poorly thought out. These things may seem nit-picky when you consider the overall story but with a show that has the biggest budget of all time we really should have got something coherent and spectacular. I was hoping for something at the level of Helms Deep for example. Something that made you feel dread, suspense and a sense of awe. They couldn’t even make a cavalry charge feel epic and grand. Instead they came to some grinding halt at the very last second and decided to sit and talk things over mid-battle! What a mess. It’s a shame as the show was getting marginally better but this just left me not caring. Gives me little hope for future seasons.

[@husman2007]

Not sure what part of the geography was confusing to you, seemed pretty clear to me... The cavalry charge was fantastic, it wasn't the Rohirrim level, but at this stage, it's not suppose to be. The Sauron and Celebrimbor plotline was mesmerising to watch, along with the seige and Adars conquest to breach the walls... This battle was an excellent addition. You talk about Helms Deep: There was so much stupid sh!te happening during that battle that todays social haters would have ripped it apart... Legolas surfing on a shield, the counting of orc kills like a video game, Aragorn and Giimli jumping into hundreds of orcs and coming out unscathed. Gandalf turning up exactly when the plot required. How about Treabeard stomping on an orc and yet conveniently picking Merry up, even though he thought he was an orc... How about Arogorn freeing Grima Wormtongue because "too much blood has been spilled" like the heck is that all about... Also, the acquisitions rights to The Second Age is not part of the budget... That's like saying Star Wars movies are 4 billion dollors because thats how much it cost to buy the rights for the propriety... The budget for this series is on par, like every other high budget production this day and age, but with ROP, you can actually see it on screen...

[@ducemook]

I will never know. Couldnt finish season one.

[@Halafas]

Rings of Power is so good

[@Batemann1980]

I’m old enough to remember when tv shows used to get time to get going

[@ahorsewithnoname773]

Audiences are certainly way less patient now than they were a few decades ago, but I think that's just sort of the reality in the modern age when you almost have too many choices on what to watch. Back in the day there was no streaming and you had only a few regular TV stations and HBO. It was slim pickings compared today, so part of that greater patience back in the day was just not having as many alternatives to switch to. And of course, no internet and video gaming was still kind of in its infancy and not the rival to TV that it is today.

[@mish375]

That was the entire point of Season 1. It had to create build up for the future storylines. So many audiences don't want to wait as the story unfolds anymore.

[@Questionthis1]

Rings of Power is a reverse Game of Thrones. Season 1 was pretty much all made up by the show runners cuz they had nothing to work off of, whereas season 2 is way more faithful to the events of the silmarillion (but with a truncated timeline just like the Jackson movies). As the seasons go on there’s going to be more and more source material to work from.

[@livion7]

This season is better because they’re actually getting into the forging of the rings.

[@MrHam9513]

Great? Really? I mean, it’s better than season 1. Which was a complete dumpster fire. Like, truly awful. Season 2 is an improvement. But great? No. Definitely not. Not great. Nothing great about it. It’s not even good. It’s just not bad. Season 2 is not bad. That’s the kindest I can put it. It’s better than awful.

[@ArsArcanum]

Season one was okay, this season is good. I don't like some of the decisions, though. Some deaths feel painless when they should be more emotional. Some will hate it though, some reasons valid while others just traffic in hate.

[@kendzo92]

The big battle was horrible.

[@chrillex91]

Dont really agree with Campea that season 1 was soo bad as he thinks. It was alright. What made it alright was Mordor creation, Sauron reveal, and the action toward the end. Not to mention the CGI has been solid all the time. Hey its good if Campea is wowed now but personally I never doubted the creators they could cook which the arguably has now. I guess season 1 can be seen as establishing stuff. Now it's actually story happening. On another note Campea is one of the very few critics I follow now that doesnt keep shitting on the show lol. I think both seasons are bangers.

[@EnterpriseGeek]

Love this Season 2.. so much better than Season 1

[@mohammadidris5774]

That scene where Elrond expected Durin to arrive reminded me of the scene in The Two Towers when Gandalf with the Rohirrim under Eomer's lead, arrived at Helms Deep. But the realization that Durin is not coming really hit hard. The siege of Eregion was greatly done IMO.

[@josemontero9782]

really ? a good show ? a mean cinematography is beautiful no doubt about it, the script is really dumb, stupid characters, 0 sense on anything, stupid writing

[@troycambo]

yet you keep watching. you must be regarded

[@michaelabayomi]

The episode was borderline unwatchable for me, unfortunately. Too many dumb developments and inconsistencies to count. A far cry from the resounding excellence of the Peter Jackson movies. That said, I'm glad you guys enjoyed it as much as you did..

[@troycambo]

go watch pj then freak

[@michaelabayomi]

@@troycambo the saltiness is strong with this one. Lol.

[@husman2007]

"too many dumb developments" like surfing on a shield, or counting how many orcs your killing during a battle as if your playing a gameboy... How about diving into a gazillion orcs unscathed... What about gandalf arriving at the exact moment the plot required...

[@michaelabayomi]

@husman2007 Lol. I'll take shield surfing and Gimli and Legolas' playful banter any day, over damming up an entire river in a single day, or stopping a charging calvary at the last moment because all the soldiers happened to spot the one prisoner at the same exact time, or Elrond and Galadriel kissing while Adar and the orcs watch like mindless NPCs, or Adar and the orcs even allowing Elrond to walk out of the orc encampment alive in the first place! There is a clear difference between fun, swashbuckling-styled moments in an adventure story and pure, incompetent, cringe-inducing storytelling, and I find it rather disingenuous trying to conflate one with the other.

[@JM-19-86]

The nostalgia is strong with this one

[@joshhunt4146]

Season 1 was fine for the first 5 episodes… but the last 3 episodes were great! I don’t know how you can be surprised that this season is great after those last 3 episodes. And the reason we care so much about this season is because of those first 5 episodes. Genuinly loving the show. Better than hotd season 2 imo and I really liked hotd season 2

[@Bigsnap224]

I liked season 1 and 2

[@whysnjsjej]

Can anyone actually explain how rings of power is so bad? I just hear vague criticisms that don't make sense Its great

[@troycambo]

grifters, usually right wingers. they just copy each other regurgitating the same vague stuff

[@ahmorgan]

For me, there are a few issues with Rings of Power that I really dislike. Mostly, I find it boring, and it feels more like cosplay of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings than a true adaptation. Galadriel’s character was insufferable, and they used that tired mystery box trope with Sauron, even though it was obvious who he was. It didn’t add to the story at all. They also tried to humanize the Orcs, which makes no sense in Tolkien’s world. That’s why I stopped watching. The LOTR trilogy is the greatest fantasy film series of all time, and this show is at best mediocre-mediocre acting, filmmaking, and action. The characters' motivations are unclear, and they jump from place to place like they have teleportation devices. It's a mess, lacking coherence, and that's why I didn’t enjoy it.

[@anonymussicarius8899]

How about you watch some reviews on youtube that criticise the show? JustSoemGuy, EuropeanLore, CounciloftheRings, Lana Marie, Liene's Library, Alteori, just to name a few. There you will find perfectly phrased criticism in regards to lore problems, overall problems of story pacing and logic etc.

[@Donald_Allan]

​@@ahmorgan I wouldn't go as far as to say the Lord of the Rings trilogy is the greatest of all time. There's a lot what they changed from the books and they really did a disservice to some of the characters.

[@jeremiahsekyi]

I think it was popular to hate this show initially but it's starting to look great.

[@JP-vj7fp]

Are you serious?

[@Quazi-Moto]

People like what they like. Think of it like foods -- I'm sure there's one that you absolutely love that others think is merely OK, and still others wanna hurl just looking at it. I know a guy who absolutely abhors pizza. I thought EVERYone liked pizza. I have to think the fella in the video IS serious because being a contrarian in this instance, for this show, does his viewership no real good. Might get a temporary spike in numbers from people slowing down to look the car crash, but they'll soon be gone on to their true destinations. Like me. I slowed down to look until I heard him say he's enjoyed the Harfoot storyline. That's when I sped away.

[@troycambo]

@@Quazi-Moto virgins getting mad about rings of power makes me happy

[@Quazi-Moto]

​@@troycambo Where do you see anger in this comment or my reply? And who told you I was a virgin? I want their name. That was SUPPOSED to be a state secret!

[@icehawk86]

I am happy to see you are coming around on this show John and crew. S1 was the setting up the board. S2 is the pieces are moving.

[@sirreginald2013]

It’s great. Season one was filmed in New Zealand during ABSOLUTE lockdowns by their PM. They could not do anything remotely resembling extras/scale in S2. Just a joy to watch. Best show of the year.

[@AaronHJT]

jesus christ you have astoundingly low expectations

[@sirreginald2013]

@@AaronHJT Our lord and savior Jesus Christ has high expectations for all our lives. I pray that you invite him into your heart and live your life as he intended. God bless you AaronHJT.

[@tomas.lambert]

It’s not really good. It’s better, but that’s low standards

[@spacechampi0n]

The lesson of Sauron is: Never drink the punch at Morgoth's Freakouts.

[@Kapr1001001]

I am having a blast too watching it, it is like The Room no logic, weird editing, painful dialog andincredible confidence, only difference is billion dollars spent. But power to everyone who can watch it unironically. :)

[@LLCobraCmndr]

I so mad cause you tube man like TV show😂

[@Dxnttv]

I’m still mind blown they had Elrond kiss Galadriel….. considering it’s his literal Aunt and she has a husband who is alive and well during this time…. And who is in the movies who are supposed to be connected to this…… the fuck is happening

[@ManchesterEagle]

You probably should avoid game of thrones if you can’t cope with a platonic distraction kiss between two people who are not related.

[@dragontepes4432]

The movies are not connected to the show this is not a prequel of the movies it is it's own thing

[@Dxnttv]

@@ManchesterEagle game of thrones is different…. That’s part of the actual book lmaooo. That’s completely irrelevant, this is just change for no reason.

[@ManchesterEagle]

@@Dxnttv change from what though? You know the second age is just various scattered histories collated from the appendixes and Tolkien’s note.

[@mish375]

Galadriel is his mother in law actually.

[@matiasdevaglia4541]

Season 2 of "The Rings of Power" is my favourite live action fantasy show since season 6 of "Game of Thrones".

[@cali4nia420]

"Durin will come! Durin will come!" that scene was epic! loved it 💔

[@MoONSHO7]

The fact Elrond heard there's an imminent dwarf civil war about to happen and had all his eggs in that basket is his own dumb fault. Imagine if Elrond asked a single question: Why are you about to overthrow your father friend? What impact would that have had on Elrond future decision making? Writers are thinking about moments, but put no thought in the buildup to get to those moments that then make them worthy payoffs. This happens with almost every storyline. Makes the show mediocre at best.

[@elenavorobeva6747]

As you can see in the comments, people who didn't read the book think it's still Tolkien. It's not! This is what many were afraid of

[@AMIN_mash]

Who the heck cares. If you want Tolkien just read the books. The Peter Jackson films weren’t “Tolkien” either. They took lots of liberties. They are adapting a story based on specific rights they have. (It can’t be exactly the same) If it’s that important to you and you can’t look past it, then just move along. It’s not that serious. It’s just a show

[@brewster_4]

If you were afraid of that then you should reevaluate your life

[@ahorsewithnoname773]

The LotR films weren't even close to being faithful adaptations either.

[@_TheViewer_]

Wouldn’t say good, but better than first one, not that first one was any good lol.

[@ArchThaBoss]

A few weeks ago I was seeing all this hate and I’m like I don’t see the bad part about this show. It’s been solid this season so far. Granted I’ve never read the books either. I watched a KZbin recap because I didn’t understand the first season at all

[@ExiledExia]

Yes season 2 is great!

[@ThatOtherPerson1]

As much as I like some aspects of this season, this last one was roooough. Weird cuts, weird writing logic, and weird usages of CGI like Adar's face at the end!

[@owainevans5098]

I have to call out Sauron in this series… absolutely amazing!!! Sauron the deceiver in his prime 🔥 🔥👁️🔥

[@FritzAlcindorJr]

Season turns up the darkness. Fist ep of this season way more dark than almost anything I’ve seen from them.

[@mogg34y]

I wouldn't go that far. But massive improvement on season 1!

[@deathswitch2404]

I think you should revisit season 1. Now that you're 2 years removed from it & now see what they were building to it does play a lot better. Im still not a massive fan of the Halbrand twist but my view has been they've gave us the "omg Annatar is Sauron" twist experience with Halbrand so it makes it a bit easier for me

[@tango31313]

John, what show are you watching? Lol it was one of the worst battles ever filmed

[@husman2007]

Hyperbole like usual... It was a fantastic episode, the question is what were you watching...

[@tango31313]

@@husman2007 I was watching a Calvary charge stop within seconds, I was watching the worst looking siege machine trying to pull rocks apart, I was watching about a dozen elve archers trying to defend the city in armor that fit them too big, I was watching a massive troll get hit in the gut with aforementioned machine and then dying moments later, and then I watched king gil galad lead a final and oh so brave charge with his 20 or so elves in a sequence that was so pathetic looking I couldn't help but laugh. Just incredibly bad. That's what I was watching.

[@anonymussicarius8899]

@@husman2007 An assemblage of scenes whith a narrative structure even the infamous GoT Battle of Winterfell has more cohesion. The river blocking was utter stupidity, the river dried up way too fast and the riverbed wouldn´t be so easily traversable like it was shown. The overall shot of Ost-in-Ethil in Season 1 showed a city, that had only partiall places of walls, at the bridges, then suddenly in Season 2 the city is has walls everywhere. When had the elves tiem to build them? Why did they build them? This "Ravager" machine had no protection against arrowshts whatsoever, but the keensigthed elves on the walls didn´t bother to shoot the crew managing the oh so feared siege engine. A cavalry charge of a copule of hundred riders perfectly stopping mere meters away from their foes, and the worlds dumbest parley I ever had the displeasure to witness - if the elves ain´t going to join, why let Elrodn and his friend march away? Kil the mand surprise attack the sitting duck elves whilst they think the talks are still under way! Oh, and le´t not forget, the brilliacne of Elrond to inform only upon leaving the Orc camp, that dwarvish reinfocements are expected. That´s stuff mentioned in the pre-battle council! And don´t forget daytime changes one looses all sense of the flow of time.

[@husman2007]

@@tango31313 you watched a troll dying because he was getting... Let me guess killed by elves 😂 "The amours too big" , no it wasn't (it's you hyperboling).. "The worst looking siege machine" (there's that hyperbole again)... What, you thought these orcs had a siege factory, or have you not been paying attention... What, Elrond should have been surfing on his horse, how about jumping into 100s of orcs and coming out without a scratch like Aragorn and Gimli. Maybe they should have been doing a gameboy kill count like Legolas and Gimli... How bout an idiotic bridge leading directly to the gates of Helms Deep without a draw bridge or trench, no that would make it too difficult for the orcs...

[@donweety]

I was supposed disappointed in season 1 i haven't even tried to watch season 2

[@gerzluis]

Whuuut? It's the best episode of season 2, but it's far from actually being good. Alot of eye rolling for me haha... Quite liked Adar though!

[@RolandMIA71]

Loving it so far

[@dacripe]

I've enjoyed the series so far, but it does have a plethora of characters that creates issues with who is who (especially since none of them have normal names). This season has been much better in my opinion. The last episode reminded me of GOT 9th episode battles. I'm not a LOTR die hard, so probably why I don't even care about the many changes. This season has been better because they have not jumped around to all the characters in each episode like they did in S1. We shall see how this season ends.

[@miltontorres8529]

I like that cave troll !!! That was amazing

[@schlock159]

This whole "If you want accuracy go and read the books" is so incredibly insulting to me. Peter Jackson has PROVED you can do a very faithful adaptation while still making slight ajustments. Game Of Thrones has PROVED you can for the most part take something and faithfully translate it to the screen, either big or small. Just because you want to do something doesn't mean you shouldn't, ESPECIALLY when you can't get all the rights to Simarillion !. I really HATE this show and honestly it's a betrayal to Tolkien !.

[@JM-19-86]

Jackson could do faithful adaptation because there was a STORY to adapt, the most popular novel of the 20th century. RoP is trying to adapt a few paragraphs of genealogies and summary statements about the Second Age.

[@troycambo]

stay mad nerd

[@ahorsewithnoname773]

Peter Jackson's adaptation isn't that faithful. I think that is mostly a myth born of a whole generation of people now having seen the films before they read the books. If it's in reverse order, there are a lot of changes both big and small that stand out. Jackson's films were beloved because they were great films, not because they followed the books page by page and line by line. The myth is sort of funny also because at the time there was a loud minority of book readers online who were screaming about all the changes Jackson made. I'll give two major changes from the first film alone...Arwen is not only not even a character in any of the three books (she's only mentioned in the lore in the appendix) she replaces a male elf character named Glorifindel who was cut. The book also has another major character named Tom Bombadil and whole sub plot of the adventure involving him, both of which were not in the film. Those vocal book reader critics were angry about both. That's even before getting into lots of other minor changes like Frodo being significantly younger than he is in the books, Legolas having blonde hair instead of dark hair, Aragorn not being a reluctant king, and Gimli having a completely different personality from his book counterpart, who is a warrior-poet and isn't used for comic relief at all.

[@schlock159]

@@ahorsewithnoname773 People being angry that Tom Bombadil wasn’t in it ??. LOL. Makes total sense because Tom Bombadil is a sidequest at best and a distraction from the main narrative. And Jackson made it up to people by giving his lines to Treebeard. He even gave fans a version of old man willow. Also, Arwen being there actually makes a lot of sense because fans want to visualize the person who is Aragorn’s heart and soul. Also, in a movie you can’t have Frodo live in the Shire for 10 years before he goes on his journey. The only thing I would give you is the emission of the Scouring Of The Shire which as a Tolkien fan I understand but Jackson even made that up to the fans to a degree in the Mirror of Galadriel as well as the voice of Saruman and his death re-adjusted in the extended version of Return Of The King.

[@jetspydragon]

I'll say this: it's great that I don't know the original material because it's a dogshit adaptation for what I read and see...but, for casual viewers it's great. I enojoing it.

[@hugofernandes2930]

The slightly improvement is due to the eregion mainplot still harfoots and Theo brings season 2 down

[@meteorjunk9670]

This dude is cringe af. Talk about putting your expectations into the dirt…

[@claudemoulton9210]

I don't see a big difference between the two seasons. I didn't think the first season was as bad and John says and the second season is not as good as he says. Both seasons are better than mediocre. Good enough to keep watching but not good enough that I can't wait for the next episode.

[@A5tr0101]

The show is great to be fair. People have been overly critical

[@jacketernity4609]

I completely disagree personally but I’m glad it’s working for you. 🤘🏻.

[@troycambo]

no one cares

[@joaoraz6738]

For me, the rings of power work well if I disconnect it from the core of the lore. There are many ideas and options that I didn't really like. The series works well on its own. Much worse series have been made than this one... yes Disney/Marvel im looking at you!!!

[@jomamasophat8973]

Are we even watching the same show!?!?!?! This show is AWFUL. Boring. Predictable. Wanting me to not compare it to the books/movies, but CONSTANTLY pulling exact quotes and designs straight from the source content and films. Characters being the same character in name only. They tricked me into coming back for season 2. They put all of the action scenes from this episode in the trailer. The other 6 episodes are SLOWWWWWWWWW. I am OVER it now. Never coming back.

[@catdog12204]

It’s not Gandalf, i believe it’s the two blue wizards who would have been there at that time

[@charlieghague]

Oh ya. Just like Halbrand wasn't Sauron, right? You're giving the show way too much credit. It's so obvious it's Gandalf. That's why the writing is so bad. The reveal has zero payoff bc we already know who he is before it happens.

[@warlockofwordschannel7901]

Season 1 didn't entirely disappoint me, but it hardly blew me away either. I didn't rewatch it.

[@quirkyjoeAnimated]

I thought Season One faltered a bit in the middle after an excellent start but then recovered again with the last few episodes. I don't think they made the most of Numenor after its introduction. I'll definitely be doing a rewatch of both seasons before the launch of Season Three.

[@shizzledink]

If you like it, more power to you. Its been pretty meh for me.

[@truthseeker6561]

Pretty debatable whether this season was better than S1. At best, it would be marginally so. Had some hope after the ep1 but it honestly has fell off the wayside with poor/nonsensical writing, bad dialogue. Just hasn't been very good at all. Had some hope for the siege of Eregion but even that has been pretty shoddy. The show somehow can not help to harken back to the Peter Jackson films and I couldn't help thinking back to the battle of Helms Deep in 2 Towers and what we saw in Rings of Power is so pitiful compared to that (or any battle portrayed in the LotR or Hobbit Trilogy). This show has been and continues to prove to be a huge disappointment...

[@agookchild]

"x was a really good show" in that tone of voice didn't sound too convincing to me.

[@jonathanwatts9492]

This season is great 👍

[@No-Kung-Fu]

lol "great".....I need what Campea is smoking....still one of the worst shows ever produced.

[@martinjrgensen8234]

No it isn’t. If you have any interest in Lotr lore it is an affront.

[@Tyler_Pifer92]

It’s really not that big of a deal.

[@MrOjotaOk]

Its an adaptation.

[@No-Kung-Fu]

@@MrOjotaOk It's a shitty adaptation.

[@lewisgarrison860]

Is it tho? Feel like this isnt going to age well lol.

[@sadenb]

This show would have been good if they had just focussed on eregion and khazad dum.

[@therealeverton]

The Harfoots were the best part of season 1. The thing is, they had to lay the groundwork to make all of this make sense. The problem was that they put too much into the "mystery" elements. Who is Sauton? Is this Gandalf?" But they did need to build it all up.

[@victorike3102]

Love this season

[@Luckyluciano21]

I’m about to start watching this series for myself

[@MrArgman]

poor soul

[@goldenlightpictures6223]

Just wondering with the argument of it’s not Tolkien: if it is not necessarily faithful then what is it exactly? 🤷‍♂️

[@jackgreenway4679]

The movies are a lot more faithful then this show. This show has changed so much of what characters are supposed to be. Or when certain events are supposed to happen. For example there should be no Balrog in this show. There is no love story stuff with Galadriel. Orcs are not like this there literally just plain evil. These show creators don’t really have any respect for Tolkiens work.

[@Quazi-Moto]

@@jackgreenway4679 _"This show has changed so much of what characters are supposed to be."_ In other words, they're no longer the characters JRRT created. Just some bargain basement version with the same name(s).

[@jackgreenway4679]

@@Quazi-Moto ya exactly they also added characters they were never in the books. That are necessary to the story the writing is not good it sounds like they are trying to be wise and clever with what there saying but it’s coming out as try hard Shakespeare. Just my opinion though. There’s so much awesome stuff they can pull from and there just deciding to ignore it or they completely change what actually happens.

[@ahorsewithnoname773]

I haven't seen RoP so not comment one way or the other on whether they are good or not, but if one is using adaptation accuracy as their gauge for good or bad, then they must also hate Peter Jackon's films. They were great films, but not even close to being faithful adaptations of the books. All three have major story and character changes that differ from the books. The entire notion that these films were accurate adaptations I think now stems from whole generations of people now having grown up in a world where those films exist and in most cases having seen them before reading the books. If its in reverse order and you read the books first, you notice a lot of changes both big and small. They're not accurate adaptations and there were plenty of people on the early internet who were screeching into the void about that. I also think in a lot of cases that some of the biggest "lore accurate" sticklers howling about RoP haven't even read the books. There were plenty of comments on how book Galadriel wasn't a warrior for example, when she explictly leads armies during the War of the Ring and wins battles in the appendix for the books. Those critics were telling on themselves for only having seen the LotR films and that being their basis for who Galadriel should be in Rings of Power.

[@jackgreenway4679]

@@ahorsewithnoname773 the Peter Jackson films were much more faithful then this show and at a much higher quality of a movie or show. There’s a reason all fantasy movies what to be compared to them. But that’s just my opinion.

[@petertimming2295]

Im with you John. My wife and I are really enjoying this season! Great episode 7! looking forward to every episode now.

[@andy.4790]

John, Remember game of thrones season 1 and look what happened, it became a hit.

[@kavinavan]

Paid by Amazon 😂

[@markyochoa]

Ain't no way. That episode was horrendous. Keep huffing that copium.

[@nickbraleystudios132]

Wow it’s like someone has a different opinion than you

[@Phelie315]

What are you talking about, I loved the episode. It's almost like different people enjoy different things...

[@austinmorales6260]

I’m loving this show now! Season 1 was boring but season 2 had me hooked from the opening!!

[@grumpyrock]

Season 2 fixed everything I had issues with for Season 1. They have tighter story telling, better dialogue, and cut a tone of unnecessary scenes/dialogue as well as made sure each episode has a focus of where they're going.