Tom Bombadil in Rings of Power...Why? My Thoughts

So, Tom Bombadil will be in Rings of Power… Why? Here are my thoughts on it. Thanks for watching! Let me know your thoughts on all of this in the comments below!
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#lordoftheringslore
#tombombadil
Vanity Fair Article on Tom Bombadil being in ROP:
www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/...
ROP Rumors from Clifford Broadway:
www.theonering.net/torwp/2024....
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[@TheJmlew11]

This is one of the few contexts where I don’t smile at the thought of Tom Bombadilo.

[@Makkaru112]

And lovely Goldberry. River Woman’s Daughter… ❤

[@wolftal1178]

Subtlety and decor was never part of Amazon. Then again this is nothing to do with the work of Professor Tolken so don’t worry. This is nothing but their warped fanfiction.

[@examiningkubrickphilosofia1530]

@@wolftal1178 Tolken......... hhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm...

[@ilari90]

@@examiningkubrickphilosofia1530 typo?

[@robsherwood5934]

Why would you smile about Tom? Seriously, he is the indisputable worst part of the entire book

[@timkinss]

Old Tom Bombadil was a merry fellow; bright blue his jacket was and his boots were yell... oh.

[@deanzaZZR]

That's 3rd Age Tom attire not 2nd Age! /s

[@Cblumberg89]

Bright blue was his jacket 🧥. Not his robes, not his coat, not his wizard cap 🧙‍♂️, his JACKET.

[@user-ec4ff1xw9q]

I know we all wanted Tom Bombadil in a live-action adaptation of Tolkien’s great work. This isn’t what we had in mind!!!

[@mikegillettify]

Honestly, I don’t want Tom in any adaptation.

[@cholst1]

"Fans hated the last one, but they love Tom Bombadil" - the limits of creativity of these bozos

[@theemissary1313]

"... And now they hate Tom Bombadil. These fans are so fickle"

[@niklastorshagen6365]

What a disaster series this is. They have butchered the work of Tolkien with their woke agenda. Atrocious!

[@Longshanks1690]

“Hello, I like money!” “And what is it that inspired you to bring another beloved Tolkien character into your series?” “Money! 😁”

[@wolfmauler]

That's handy, cos they gotta be way in the hole at this point 😉

[@Kyle-qd2sy]

Comparing Jeff Bezos to Mr Crabs…yeah I can see it

[@MrJustinOtis]

Money can't hold a candle to THE MESSAGE.

[@brianjones3321]

Could they bring in Bozo the Clown? It's Chicago kids' television tradition and lore. It's just as lazy and nonserious.

[@brianjones3321]

Hmmm, are they making money or losing it?

[@saladinbob]

They spent the entire first season bastardising Tolkien's lore, why would season two be any different? The Rings of Power need casting into the fires of Mount Cancellation as quickly as possible.

[@hafertr1235]

The best way to cancel something is to not interact with it, you’re doing a terrible job

[@Makkaru112]

@@hafertr1235 if we didn’t fight back everyone would think it’s awesome. Then you’d see more idiots with big O mouths in their thumbnails thinking it was awesome sauce.

[@Jeffrey_Tyler]

@@hafertr1235seriously. These people are ridiculous. So hyper-obsessed. Acting like Amazon is "ruining" Tolkien's work like they are somehow erasing the memories of the original stories from these peoples minds. They can't separate one from the other.

[@rhiannoncollins3042]

I get that. I didn’t even have a desire to watch it after the hobbit came out. I think it’s common for most people to take something they love or do and point out discrepancies. Might be doctors watching a doctor show, firefighters watching a firefighter show, military watching a military based show, comic book fans watching the marvel and DC movies/shows. We all do it to some degree.

[@rhiannoncollins3042]

I think they wanted to get fans excited, and some got excited, just to be let down. That’s why people are disgruntled. It’s like someone telling you you won a cake, but it was a rice cake. Not really what you imagined.

[@KennieB]

Not bringing my boy Tom into this 😭

[@FarrisG]

" the leaked news about Tom Bombadil and Goldie being Melkor and Ungoliont?".... please god no!! 🤢🤢

[@Makkaru112]

Yup. Goes into detail with nerd of the rings who also is scared of it

[@cholst1]

Since when was this a large fan theory? Like, huh? I havent heard that in the top 10 even.

[@FireLordJohn3191]

Monsters.

[@serranopepperproductions5118]

Those leaks are apparently fake and the article said that they aren't gonna add an explanation for what Tom is

[@UnseenHitman-1932]

To me they are Aule and his wife.

[@panhandlersparadise1733]

Based on season 1 and what we've heard about season 2, it wouldn't surprise me if Aragorn shows up in the 2nd Age and is played by Hulk Hogan.

[@edisloud]

This comment 😂 brilliant. oh wow, my face hurts from laughing

[@niklastorshagen6365]

I can bet that's less than 10 people who's looking forward for season 2. What a disaster series this is. They have butchered the work of Tolkien with their woke agenda. Atrocious!

[@Scar_117]

Rings of Power writers: "Alright everyone, we need ideas on ways we can ruin every single important and/or loved characters."

[@deanzaZZR]

I should have scrolled a bit more. I basically tried to say the exact same above.

[@niklastorshagen6365]

I can bet that's less than 10 people who's looking forward for season 2. What a disaster series this is. They have butchered the work of Tolkien with their woke agenda. Atrocious!

[@joshbishop9639]

I just KNOW that Tom is giving the wizard that hat.

[@yodaslovetoy]

So they can ruin that character as well with their bad fan-fiction

[@ohdannyboy4727]

When you got billions you can really do what you want. Including taking a dump on the IP.

[@Makkaru112]

@@ohdannyboy4727the money was laundered. And they famously are sued by several companies and other individuals for major plagiarism of several films.

[@Lucho-uu5bk]

1999 ¿por qué no está Tom Bombadil // 2024 ¿por qué está Tom Bombadil

[@ButterBallTheOpossum]

​@@ohdannyboy4727 The stock holders won't agree with that. Typically when a company spends hundreds of millions on the rights to a show they stock holders won't be too happy when its a disaster.

[@Didymus20X6]

@@Lucho-uu5bk Because it would make sense for him to be in the 2001 film, other than time constraints (oh, yeah, you got the date wrong - maybe try looking things up next time). It makes NO SENSE for him to be here. Maybe you should try applying some logical thinking sometime.

[@thanosandnobill3789]

I will tell you why. Because shows like Rings of Power are controlled not by producers but by stock holder committees that listen only some dumb marketing companies that they told them something close to "Tom Bombadil has that percent reactions in twitter, in google trends and in at 50 people poll we did in California. Teens will love him and will bring that percent increase of show hashtags in social media"

[@Andonios88]

As someone in corporate finance and deals with investors, trust me they don’t get into the weeds like this.

[@MohseenLala]

Even if such were the case, how does that excuse his drap design?

[@stevensmith1031]

He appeals to the correct taste clusters

[@deathswitch2404]

I assume you have proof of this? Making something like this up would be incredibly dumb so I assume you have proof

[@thanosandnobill3789]

@@deathswitch2404 Here's a proof for you. The two main producers of this TV show had in their CV only one movie the horrible Star Trek Beyond. The company hired them to produce the most expensive tv series in history with only one movie and literally nothing else as a background. There two possibilities for this, Bezos is dumb or a committee is in charge and those two are just for the media.

[@brentchesson2179]

If Peter Jackson didn't think he could do Tom Bombadil justice it's hubris for RoP to think they'll be able to pull him off correctly.

[@Jagonath]

Worse than hubris, there is literally no way to pull it off correctly, without it looking absurd. Even Tolkien was a bit iffy about Tom being in LOTR.

[@Kornheiser10]

There just wasn't time for Tom, and his participation in LOTR was pretty superfluous

[@wolfmauler]

I've read that "show runners" vanity fair interview, and once again, they prove they haven't a clue what they're talking about. They describe him as being from "...this place called the Withywindle, which is this sort of, almost enchanted forest." Does this sound like a statement from someone who's even read Lord of the Rings? No wonder they feel comfortable with slapping the Bombadil name on thier "original" character and placing him geographically and dramatically wherever they like: The only "research" they've done is skim Tom's Wikipedia page...

[@Midhiel]

Yes! I was also baffled by their description of the Withywindle! It's like naming their proto-hobbit "Elanor Brandyfoot" - they're clearly not even bothering to look up the words they're using.

[@BenSmith-od8fc]

Wasn't it a river in the old forest?

[@kenshinwarriorX]

The more I hear about this show the more I’m reminded of this quote: “Evil is not able to create anything new, it can only distort and destroy what has been invented or made by the forces of good.”

[@zack_feldman]

There are few characters easier to mess up than Tom Bombadil.

[@AlwaysNerdyTV]

This is actually fanless-fiction character Bomb Tomidill. Much like this show, it has no bearing on the real characters or the story of Lord of the Rings.

[@Makkaru112]

Nah. I’ve seen fan fiction that adds to the existing world with the same love of languages, cultures and topography etc that everyone loves. Amazon hates Tolkien. Half the actors hate us too. It’s all to sell two day three shopping for Amazon products etc.

[@AlwaysNerdyTV]

@Makkaru112 truee! I changed my comment from "fan-fiction" to "fanless-fiction" because these creators hate the original Intellectual Property and their dedicated fans.

[@jamesfry8983]

I don't think Tom would be such a jolly old fellow about this.

[@alexhansen2102]

Because evil is driven to destroy all that is good.

[@Yesica1993]

And people still keep watching it.

[@thrithgolden2748]

Perfectly worded.. I seriously was thinking the same thing.

[@thrithgolden2748]

​@@Yesica1993never watched past episode 2.. just to give it a go.. Just getting through the first 2 were ridiculously hard.. 🙈🙈🙈

[@danfrancis2707]

Multiculturalism and Marxist doctrine.

[@anni.68]

@@danfrancis2707 „First, it needs to be stated that there were certainly many different races (in the artificial sense of skin color) in Middle-earth, just as there are in our earth: Caucasian, Asian and African at least (Western, Eastern and Southern Middle-earth respectively). That’s not at all in doubt. Since Elves awoke earlier than men, and so had more time to migrate about Middle-earth as a whole, it stands to reason that some Elves that chose not to migrate West might have moved East or South and so there could well be darker complexted Elves … Tolkien doesn’t describe any such migration or any such Elves, but it is possible“ (Carl Hostetter)

[@anniewalkama]

They ruined Beorn, if they didn’t have him in the first LOTR then they don’t need to be adding him to the tv series.

[@RazSofer-xh3qs]

At this point I rather deal with Melkor than Amazon

[@Didymus20X6]

Melkor did less damage to Middle Earth.

[@grisha9609]

They’ve made him look so dull and washed out, what part of “bright blue his jacket is” is hard to understand? 😭

[@alexandravladmets8206]

Agree, he looks so generic.

[@DefinatelyNotAI]

He's not jolly in a single still I've seen. This does not spark joy.

[@brooksrownd2275]

the part where most of the viewers never read the books to know any better...oh wait, perhaps the script writers didn't either ;)

[@Makkaru112]

@@DefinatelyNotAIa good example of true jolly yet powerful & wise is from the ghost of Christmas present from muppet Christmas Carol movie. Get to know me better man! Ohohoho ❤

[@BigGooch6_9]

You do realize that lighting can affect things right? Not to mention this is a still from set and not the finished product.

[@BennyColyn]

We are truly living in the darkest timeline.

[@mikegillettify]

*sigh* I’ll start on the fake beards.

[@rHinosYth]

Sigh, why cant we ever have good nice things!

[@juulfiend2103]

It’s a great day when Men of the West posts

[@dmdebruijn]

The best lore knowledge around

[@AlphariusDominatus]

Biggest sellout ever. Unsubscribe

[@dmdebruijn]

@@AlphariusDominatus yoystan? Why do you think so?

[@dmdebruijn]

You don’t mean NoTR?

[@jgrey8959]

Next season they are bringing in Darth Vader, E.T., and Spiderman.

[@mybrainisshortcake]

I didn't know about that 'fan theory' - ugh... Tolkien specifically debunked all theories about them AND expressed regret for even including Tom.

[@istari0]

"these corrupted, weird versions of those stories" Perfectly said. RoP is trying to corrupt Tolkien just as Sauron corrupted those he sought to dominate.

[@Feverdream7777]

NO ....NO ..........NO........NO................NONONONONONO.........NOO.........

[@orrointhewise87]

My first thought seeing this was he's not even SMILING! They got him wrong right away 🙄 I'm going to give the actor playing him a chance. Slim chance albeit 😂. But this feels like what they did to the Hobbits in season 1. They shouldn't have been in there but here we are. If that fan theory about Morgoth and Ungoliant comes to pass I'm throwing something at mt tv and quitting altogether 😅

[@zack_feldman]

That's a good catch! He is smiling in literally every instance we see him!

[@orrointhewise87]

@zack_feldman exactly!!! That's who he IS!! Plus his colors are dull af 😂 whatever they're doing it's starting off wrong as wrong can get lol

[@wolfmauler]

For the life of me, i can't think of even the slightest hint, anywhere in Tolkien's writing, that would account for that "theory"... Especially when his views on Tom and what he represents, are well documented 🤔... I've heard people want to believe they're Telperion and Laurelin too, which is a nice idea, but, same deal. They're simply the Master of wood, water and hill, & The River-Woman's Daughter 😊

[@orrointhewise87]

@wolfmauler I mean the imagination runs wild and sometimes it yields interesting theories. Those can b fun with friends or groups online. But they're almost never taken seriously. For a show or movie to do that? No, that's not their job. At least from my perspective.

[@Simlan12345]

@@zack_feldman He's not exactly smiling when holding the jewelry remembering the ones that inhabited the barrow-downs.

[@Makkaru112]

The istari never had amnesia. That’s what made them so special. They were true emissaries of Valinor.

[@matthewrileymcleanwilkinson]

Yeah, this isn't Tyrael from Diablo III. And Gandalf the Wanderer... Blizzard should sue.

[@PhineasPhule]

While it is true that the Istari were not amnesiac in the classic sense, their memories of Valinor were (for want of a better term) 'dimmed'.

[@theemissary1313]

If they wanted to excite fans, they could just include the Istari like in the books. But because it would be on screen, they'd have to flesh them out. Which is what fans would want.

[@UnseenHitman-1932]

​@@PhineasPhule Source? Please write the source and the exact words.

[@Jinzon87]

@@UnseenHitman-1932there was an essay by tolkien in the book of unfinished tales where he stated that the istari‘s memory of aman was „a vision from far off, for which (as long as they remained true to their mission) they yearned exceedingly.“ So it sounds line their memory is not totally clear but they do know who they are and where they came from, at least as long as they weren’t corrupted.

[@Comicnut64]

Yoystan please don’t do this to yourself you don’t have to watch this trash

[@zack_feldman]

Agreed.

[@rene280195]

Yea man, we can do like tbe Harry Potter community that just decanonize and ignore The Curse Prince, the whole daughter of Voldemort, we can just ignore this serie and let it die.

[@zack_feldman]

Yeah totally agree. I didn’t watch any of the original, and likely won’t watch this. I’ve been reading Tolkien since the mid 90s…and the canon hasn’t changed since before I was born, haha!

[@Comicnut64]

@@rene280195 @zack_feldman that woke trash ain’t cannon it’ll be a cold day in Hell before Amazon is cannon in the legendarium

[@AlphariusDominatus]

He has to. He's being paid off by Amazon.

[@martin_goodlad]

Sadly, my attitude has become that it doesn’t impact my life at all. I will continue to enjoy the books and leave what I don’t enjoy to others who do.

[@harvain731]

Amazon: We have The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and Appendices. Also Amazon: Let's just keep going off the path for this weird fever dream of a TV Series!

[@jameshirlehey-hw8dj]

At the Council of Elrond, Gandalf implies Tom Bombadil used to travel around Middle Earth, but only settled by the Old Forrest for good in the Third Age. He says “And now he is withdrawn into a little land, within boundaries he has set, though none can see them, waiting perhaps for a change of days, and he will not step beyond them”. So, Tom Bombadil being in Rhun is never stated, but it doesn’t go against the law either. Gandalf heavily implies he used to move or travel, so Rhun is a possibility. Just because it’s never said he was in Rhun, doesn’t mean he wasn’t.

[@SamirZehar-ol1dc]

But tom himself in the books pretty much tells us he hasnt been east before ""out east my knowledge fails. Tom is not master of Riders from the Black Land far beyond his country" page 144 the fog on the barrow downs

[@Simlan12345]

@@SamirZehar-ol1dc It could also just mean that he's not "master" of the Riders and does not know what they want given the context that they're asking about what he knows about the Nazgul and where they are from; he could very well know about the people that previously inhabited the lands west, although he could have been settled down in the Old Forest in the start of the Third Age and thus his knowledge isn't exactly "up to date".

[@dreadenbelthazar7707]

Well Tom Bombadil is the one that told Luke Skywalker "do or do not, there is no try"

[@MrJustinOtis]

"Inclusive of the lore, but not adequately, properly, or inclusive of the context." The term you're looking for is Key Jangling. The makers of the show want to try to appear like they care about the lore in order to attract actual Tolkien fans, so they stick a reference into the show that Tolkien fans would like, but they don't care to get it right.

[@JeanLoupRSmith]

The corruption of all the things that were good and wholesome by Melkor is nothing compared to what the writers are doing to this fanfic. I can't imagine anyone having any level of excitement for this thing...

[@byzantineboi8345]

like hell they are they've already butchered enough some parts of the legendarium are best left untainted Tom is one of those

[@whiteknightcat]

The volume on this video is unusually low. Also, ROP is simply just throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks.

[@mybrainisshortcake]

it's so disrespectful and ignorant of his work...

[@shadowofchaos8932]

Add it to the list of reasons i will not participate with Amazon's Rings of Power.

[@shadowofchaos8932]

I told my wife the news, and her response was 'no'.

[@stevemonkey6666]

Tom bombadil wearing grays and browns and various other muted colors. 🙄 Goldberry = Ungoliant 🤣

[@TheAki869]

Well yes of course isn’t that exactly how Ungoliant was described in the Silmarillion?

[@semi1057]

This show just gets more and more offensive

[@MC-810]

Amazon studios is doing anything they can to attempt to legitimize this show by bringing in any slither of the legendarium that they can, even if there is no basis for it. They will argue that because there is no basis for it, they can script whatever they want and say that it is part of it.

[@IrishTechnicalThinker]

Rings of Power logic: Okay, lets fix this by introducing the most complex and strangest character in all of Tolkien's work.

[@AdirondackRuby]

When I found out my jaw dropped. The one thing my mom (a massive Tolkien nerd) is still bitter about is PJ leaving out TB & Goldberry...but this!? This will be a whole new level!

[@Sergeant_Fury]

At least Peter Jackson apologized for leaving out Tom Bombadil and Goldberry.

[@vortigern7021]

It's understandable why he did.

[@UltraPvnk]

Oh my… this is NOT how I envisioned him in my imagination when I read the book. Geez!

[@RobsMemoryLane]

Finally a Tolkien channel who doesn't shill for Amazon. Thanks for staying true

[@Outshined93]

i hope we get to see Aragog or Norbert. for sure we’ll get Fang and Buckbeak

[@Didymus20X6]

And don't forget R2-D2.

[@scottmolaison1905]

I always enjoy your thoughts about this show and I feel like you have a good perspective on how this show treats Tolkien. Sometimes I think Nerd of the Rings is bought out by Amazon with some of his reviews, so I think your opinion is more honest.

[@Makkaru112]

He’s becoming harsher. But he’s never been one to rock boats. European Lore however is badass.

[@Makkaru112]

He also got a rare interview with Philippa Boyens and together with her spoke with war of the Rohirim’s awesome young writers. Who are not woke and weird.

[@CJUzziel]

Thanks for the video and really like your work. You mentioned close to the end that Gandalf did go East, but I've heard it said that he never went there. Do you mind expanding on this a bit?

[@ichibanbento]

I think the route theyre going with the stranger is him being one of the Blue Wizards, which makes more sense, maybe the Gandalf references is like family mannerisms I really do hope that Tom doesnt do much and is really just provides respite for Stranger, I honestly like his design the best out of all the characters in the show its the most faithful

[@patrickobrien2475]

Hyped to use your channel as my rage therapy again.

[@FrankieLunn]

Can someone explain to me the love for Tom Bombadil ? I’ve read the books , I’ve listened to the books , I’ve read articles about the books , I’ve watched videos about the books. I just don’t understand why everyone loves him so much.

[@backwashjoe7864]

This does raise an interesting question, for the true, canonical history of Middle-Earth: What were Bombadil and Goldberry doing during the Second and Third Ages, before we meet them in LotR? As part of that, how did the size of the Old Forest change during those times, and how was the Old Forest viewed by those living in the 2nd and 3rd Ages? Some of the big events: the influx of Elves from Beleriand at the start of the 2nd Age, the realms of Eregion and Lindon, the war between Sauron and the Elves of Eriador (with the assist from the Numenoreans), the founding of Arnor, the wars between Angmar and the realms of Arnor, and the protectorate of the Dunedain. Bombadil, Goldberry, Old Man Willow, and the Old Forest were smack dab in the (geographical) middle of all that. How would you write their part in all of that history, so that its done right?

[@Makkaru112]

Why can’t anyone get more involved with Amazon and or infiltrate it & eventually take over and course correct and make them publicly apologize & do a documentary to show the real Tolkien ? The attack in Tolkien, his legacy and we the people of the world is such a feckless offence. Everything we enjoy was inspired by Tolkien as well. ❤

[@Alexs.2599]

I wish there were individuals at Amazon that respected the lore and would course correct this series so it respected Tolkien's vision.

[@RonnieEverette]

This is where Gandalf gets his hat and staff 😂

[@Jay_No]

If Tom Bombadil has been included then that must mean the Sea has willed it... and the Sea is always right!

[@cattraknoff]

I put the odds that they make Goldberry black instead of blonde above 95%.

[@mattthompson8671]

And they probably will…black elves, black dwarves, black hobbit s, … go woke go broke

[@pyramidion5911]

The casting choices make the show look like a lord of the rings themed office party.

[@tuathadedanann195]

ROP S1 is the most colossal and expensive misstep in the entire history of the moving image. It is best considered as a parody like Bored of the Rings

[@davideberhardt6150]

Don't you DARE to sh*t on _Bored of the Rings_ like that!

[@tuathadedanann195]

@davideberhardt6150 i said it was a parody I didn't say it was a good one rofl

[@bkbstone]

We don't know enough about Tom Bombadil to think he has always lived in his house in the Old Forest. "But I had forgotten Bombadil, if indeed this is still the same that walked the woods and hills long ago, and even then was older than the old. That was not then his name. Iarwain Ben-adar we called him, oldest and fatherless. But many another name he has since been given by other folk: Forn by the Dwarves, Orald by Northern Men, and other names beside. He is a strange creature..." -Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

[@Alexs.2599]

Yes but Tolkien never indicated that Tom resided at anytime in the eastern lands. He was always a being of the west.

[@bkbstone]

@@Alexs.2599 Source? He was a wanderer.

[@Alexs.2599]

@@bkbstone No in LOFTR Tom told Frodo he had resided in the Old Forrest since the Elder Days of the Years of The Trees. When the Forrest was much larger and he witnessed the great march of the the Elves and the migration of Mortal Men and Hobbits. Tolkien never said Tom wondered in the lands of the east. He and Goldberry have been in Eriador since the the Valar entered Arda.

[@bkbstone]

@@Alexs.2599 How did the dwarves know him? How did northern men know him? There are millenia of untold years that Tom was in Middle Earth, we cannot say he never wandered east.

[@Alexs.2599]

​@@bkbstone Because he was a legend among them. He was known by many names. He was a curious being of that forrest. Again Tolkien never stated Tom wandered east. None of his letters or writings state otherwise. He was basically a benevolent nature spirit who dwelt in western Middle Earth.

[@troglodytehunter]

It will get people to watch, even if just to hate-watch, pretty sure that's their calculus here

[@oliclay1348]

I have no intention of watching season 2. But I have every intention of watching your weekly episode reviews of the episodes so I can get the high points and having the low points resolved to be lore accurate. I do not underestimate you're sacrifice in having to actually watch it. You bow to no man...

[@Makkaru112]

If they actually make Tom Bombadil some sort of punishment for Morgoth: to live out forced to be a kind soul (if it was a good show & actually understood the Tolkien legendarium in a way that could make it make sense or add to the many legends about Tom Bombadil; I might then accept it a little bit easier. But still…

[@Simlan12345]

That is actually a good idea.

[@michaelbecker7839]

I agree yoystan. Also How do you not have million followers yet?,

[@christianbecker7212]

Mea govannen! I admire your calm and level-headed approach to Rings of Power. Someone with your knowledge about Tolkien's lore and his works, and to be just "worried" is very generous of you. I read nearly everything Tolkien wrote (well, not all letters), even if I had to read the Silmarillion a couple of times until I could fully appreciate it. Especially the Ainulindalé, was a tough nut to crack for me. His world and stories hold a special place in my heart and soul. (Also, I've been playing LOTRO for 16 years and counting, so I invest a lot of my time in the fates of Middle-earth). It was Tolkien's books that encouraged me to learn English as best as I can. In contrast to you, I am absolutely disgusted by that show. I had so much hope for it. Shippey onboard, I think J. Howe helped also to make it look good and Amazon's resources in the back to make a truly great show. What could go wrong? But we know what happened to Shippey (and well). What did we get? As a wise being once said: "There is no curse in elvish, entish or the tongues of men for this treachery." And now Tom Bombadil is next on the list to be destroyed. I might be a little bit too critical of the adaptations, because I can only "tolerate" Jackson's version of the Lord of the Rings (the extended ones), but he made also far too many unforced errors with the story, in my humble opinion. The whole Two Towers was riddled with bad judgment and unnecessary alterations. Elves in Helm's Deep, Faramir as a dollar store Boromir jump to mind. Don't get me wrong, there are also huge parts that are done exceptionally well and I enjoy them. So, perhaps you can guess what I think about RoP. This show should be forgotten even before it ends. I am glad for everyone who can enjoy this masterpiece. I, on the other hand, can not.

[@anni.68]

“And _now_ he is withdrawn into a little land, within bounds that he has set, though none can see them, waiting perhaps for a change of days, and he will not step beyond them.’” (Gandalf about Tom Bombadil at the Council of Elrond)

[@Didymus20X6]

Please stop trying to justify this garbage show. We all know that, even if they could justify it according to the lore, they'd still screw up the character.

[@anni.68]

@@Didymus20X6 The article in Vanity Fair is good, shows a lot of consideration and care. And the set photos look amazing. That's all we know so far.

[@Didymus20X6]

@@anni.68 Except that we have the entirety of Season 1 to gauge how it's going to go, and unless they're changing trajectory (which they don't appear to be), then we know what's going to happen: they're just going to screw up more lore for their garbage show. That's what I know from the available evidence and using my brain. Imagine what you can accomplish if you tried that sometime.

[@anni.68]

@@Didymus20X6 Well, I think you won't be surprised that I disagree.

[@seaelfx]

There are many of us that always wanted to see Tom Bombadil on screen and this is just a really perverse twist on that wish...

[@dmdebruijn]

Predictably, “the nerd of the rings” was very optimistic (people say, although i don’t know anything about this, that perhaps there was funding). There’s a discordant harmony to his tune….

[@dmdebruijn]

I expect that your opinion will be more dominant on the Council of the Rings

[@Didymus20X6]

There's a reason I don't follow NOTR anymore. It's hard to trust what someone says about the lore, when they actually think something of this poor quality and absolute disregard for the lore is any good. I just don't trust the bloke anymore.

[@jasperl180]

Nerds of the ring were also very optimistic about the first season. Suck ups. I only watch men of the west and I really like in deep geek on KZbin

[@SamirZehar-ol1dc]

Isnt notr a confirmed shill though? Like he got flown out to london to watch the premiere and what not then all of them ended up saying the exact same thing 🤣🤣

[@SamirZehar-ol1dc]

@@jasperl180 motw, the red book channel , girlgonegondor are all good channels, nerd of the rings not so much for me

[@anni.68]

"That Olórin, as was possible for one of the Maiar, had already visited Middle-earth and had become acquainted not only with the Sindarin Elves and others deeper in Middle-earth, but also with Men, is likely, but nothing is (has yet been) said of this." (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Peoples of Middle-earth - Part 2, Chapter XIII, "Last Writings, p.381")

[@TheAki869]

But of Olórin that tale does not speak; for though he loved the Elves, he walked among them unseen, or in form as one of them, and they did not know whence came the fair visions or the promptings of wisdom that he put into their hearts. This is also in the Silmarillion.

[@jimbeaux89]

Another much beloved character for Amazon to shit on.. 🤦‍♂️ He’s also not smiling in a single frame. From what I remember, he just about always had a smile on his face. And “Gandalf” isn’t even in middle earth at this point in history. What a bastardization of one of the greatest works in human history.

[@DBat-sp1tp]

This feels like when you’re a kid and there’s a toy or pair of tennis shoes that you want so bad for Christmas but you’re parents buy you a knockoff or the pair you didn’t want.

[@Donfrak]

3:30 i am so glad i didn't spend a MINUTE watching this. Someone has to stop this madness, this show can not go on.

[@Charlieandersali]

How can you hate on Tom about to be depicted without seeing it first. Glass half empty.

[@RedSonya4]

Yikes. YIKES. I don't hate some of their newly created characters, but I can't stand what they've done with Tolkien's existing characters. It feels like fan fiction. I'm scared for S2 in the same way I was scared for GOT S8. Thanks for the video.

[@Jagonath]

GOT S8 at least had some epic moments. I have yet to see anything remotely epic in ROP.

[@RedSonya4]

@@Jagonath there was nothing epic in S8, it was dripping in disappointment. At least we never expected much from RoP in the first place, although I was pleasantly surprised by some of the non-Tolkien new characters.

[@yvonnemason9137]

The Rings of Power got my attention for free with season one, as a dedicated Tolkien fan. This time, they're going to have to earn it. I'll wait and see what the Tolkien community says and, if it's a positive reaction, I'll give it a go. If not, then Rings of Power won't get a second of my time or attention. I must admit, from what you have said in this video, I'm not hopeful that the producers have finally seen sense!

[@OpusX2010X]

Yes the stranger does quote Gandolf at the end of the last episode, but given his ability to use his voice, and his interest/need to go to Ruin (Gandolf doesn't as I recall), why wouldn't he be Saruman? Saruman does go there and he does appear much earlier than Gandolf. Just curious of your thoughts on why he would be Gandolf?

[@anni.68]

I think Tom Bombadil will give Not-Gandalf a little helpful nudge into the right direction...and maybe his hat, too? I would love to see the beginning of their friendship. The closer we get to the Battle of the Last Alliance, the more important Nori's and the Strangers's storyline will get. With or without the Blue Wizards they will help to make sure that Sauron's forces will not simply overrun the armies of the Last Alliance.

[@Basement.noise2263]

As a tolkien admirer i didnt even give ROP a chance because im too busy slamming LOTR 😂 im excited for the hunt for gollum

[@poneill65]

Ugh, well if anyone can spin this into gold it will be Rory Kinnear. His Frankenstein's monster character in Penny Dreadful was a masterful piece of character acting. I suspect that this will be repeat of the one good actor in S1, Malwe/Adar, that decided to book it once he realized what a croc he had been given

[@Unark42]

I can't wait to not watch this show...

[@johnallen6254]

They added Bombadil because all of the crazy and bizarre stuff they put in their own show actually makes him look normal now

[@Lazarosaliths]

When you are ready to ask: "But Why?!" Always think that the right answer is " why not?!"

[@CChico996]

Amazon better not mess this up. Their gandalf-not-gandalf was bad enough, but if they screw up Tom Bombadil there is no coming back.

[@hummer9908]

Ive never heard that theory of Bombadil and GB being Morgoth and Ungoliant serving time. As ridiculous as it is could you do a video on it?

[@Silversmith70]

Is there a picture of Goldberry yet?

[@joeygenes]

Spot on. I love your reviews.

[@Destroyer94100]

Honestly you put it perfectly. They haven't earned Tom Bombadil. Just like they haven't earned getting the rights to this story in the first place. Rings of power might pass as a spin off fan fiction fantasy show but it can never earn and should never have the LotR name attached to it.

[@SamRobinson-lg3fi]

Season 1 will open with Tom shagging Goldberry in the back of the barrows when he suddenly teleports to Rhun to help Gandalf the Blue learn some magic

[@richardnewall4109]

I agree with all your comments, and particularly when you said, "they have not earned Tom Bombadil."

[@anovaguy]

If you plan on rewatching S1, can you do a MST3000 style watchalong. It's the only way I'd be able to consume that thing again

[@grandpatzer]

Rhûn??? To my knowledge Tolkien never placed Bombadil in Rhûn. Always with these weird departures from canon

[@jonnysongs]

I have so much respect for you for not taking their gold and gifts and being able to be honest about this awfulness

[@305areacode4]

The reason ROP did it was to get back at PJ for the movie drop. ROP cannot be fixed because its creators HATE everything that Tolkien loves- including his Faith. It will be impossible. So yes, it will be a caricature.

[@MiddleAgedGuy73]

I'm not sure how I feel about Tom Bombadil making an appearance in the show, but I'll try and enjoy it. It'll be different than the books, but if we're being honest, Tolkien had multiple versions of some of his stories. Being upset that season one didn't follow one of the stories that Tolkien wrote or being upset with season two before it comes out; it is absolutely your right. In this instance though, I choose a different viewpoint, and I will be excited to watch the show. I love the books, they're beautiful, but I don't expect the show to be the books. That's actually okay with me. I can enjoy the show, then afterwards, I'll probably go back and re-read the books, loving them all over again. And agree or disagree, I loved the video, and the inspiration to discuss our different thoughts on the subject, thank you.

[@thiagogfalcao]

What you say makes a ton of sense. And I agree 100%. Including Tom is half fan servicy, half having to spread butter on a big slice of bread (5 seasons, 1 bil big).

[@blacksmoker2]

PJ didn't want to include the sequence with Tom Bombadil because it didn't advance the story. (Which he was absolutely right about.) Amazon can safely wrap old Tom into their series. After all, it doesn't have a story to drive forward...