# Amazon Lord of the Rings series; The Rings of Power **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** middle-earth, amazon-prime, tv-shows-scripted\ **Created:** [March 3, 2019, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497 "2019-03-03T20:01:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 27
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/522 "2022-09-10T02:11:21Z")
The divergeance in episode 3 from the timeline is extreme in this episode. So be it. I’m joining those convinced the Stranger is Gandalf here way ahead of schedule. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/523 "2022-09-10T03:53:17Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Maybe it’s Friday midnight on the east coast, which is Thursday 9pm on the west coast? Looking it up that is the stated policy. I could have sworn I stumbled on to it available before Thursday 11pm Central though. Short period of no open spoilers seems to have a two to one preference. So how short? Mid day Friday US ET? Evening? Saturday 12am ET (a 24 h embargo on open spoilers)? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/524 "2022-09-10T04:37:43Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > The divergeance in episode 3 from the timeline is extreme in this episode. So be it. It looks like we’re pretty much getting the entire Second Age condensed into the span of a few months or years, depending on how long the time jumps between seasons are going to be. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/525 "2022-09-10T06:49:14Z")
I read somewhere, before it came out, that they opened to condense the timeline of the second age so they could use one set of characters, and not have a whole chain of men and harfoots. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/526 "2022-09-10T08:42:13Z")
Something that bothers me - Galadriel is correct. It can’t be just chance or mere fate that she and Halbrand find each other in all the ocean, nay the world. It has to be the Valar having that sort of power to impact events in mortal realms. So if they have great power sufficient to do that why do they not otherwise use it? Or is only within the ocean that they have direct mortal realm power, and is why the ocean is always right? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/527 "2022-09-10T08:53:25Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > It has to be the Valar having that sort of power to impact events in mortal realms. > > So if they have great power sufficient to do that why do they not otherwise use it? Or is only within the ocean that they have direct mortal realm power, and is why the ocean is always right? There is no coincidence. There is only the Force. No, wait, wrong saga. Surely it wasn’t coincidence that after 2500 years lying in the silt at the bottom of a riverbed that the One Ring should find its way into the hands of one who would in time deliver it to a humble hobbit that counted one of the Istari as a friend, right? The hand of Iluvatar may be invisible, but in time it sets all things in motion. “The sea is always right” I’m thinking is a more practical axiom. Numenor is thousands of miles away from anywhere and depends on the sea for everything from food to commerce, and yet it is a capricious and unforgiving thing that cannot be tamed. You cannot reason with the sea any more than you can reason with the wind or the rain - you can only abide by its whims, accept what it offers, and treat it with the respect and caution it is due. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/528 "2022-09-10T11:38:32Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > and is why the ocean is always right? Cruel mistresses are always right. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/529 "2022-09-10T11:47:02Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Looking it up that is the stated policy. I could have sworn I stumbled on to it available before Thursday 11pm Central though. I can tell you that the first two episodes(last week) dropped at 9PM Eastern on Thursday night. This new one, the third one, was only dropped it midnight in the Eastern Time Zone USA, at least where I live in Michigan. I thought perhaps I could see it Thursday night, but had to wait on the third episode for Friday. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/530 "2022-09-10T11:52:07Z")
For Middle Earth and Arda, the Ocean is more masculine being _[Ulmo](https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Ulmo)_ or at least _[Ossë](https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Oss%C3%AB)_. Either way, the Ocean is a cruel task master. Though Ulmo was probably the most proactive of the Valar and the likeliest one to interfere. Ossë wife _[Uinen](https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Uinen)_ was known as the Lady of the Sea and most beloved by the _[Númenóreans](https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/N%C3%BAmen%C3%B3reans)._ In the earlier version of The Silmarillion, Ossë was actually numbered among the Valar. * * * I’m trying to remember, but I believe the most powerful Maiar were: **Mairon** (Sauron) of [Aulë](https://www.glyphweb.com/arda/a/aule.html) **Ossë** of Ulmo **Uinen** of Ulmo **[Eönwë](https://www.glyphweb.com/arda/e/eonwe.html)** Herald of [Manwë](https://www.glyphweb.com/arda/m/manwe.html) and in an early version child of Manwë and [Varda](https://www.glyphweb.com/arda/v/varda.html). He led the host of the Valar to Middle Earth to end Morgoth’s reign and end the first age. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/531 "2022-09-10T12:03:55Z")
Does this show lack good characters so far? I was telling my wife how much Frodo, Gandalf, Bilbo, and Sam had popped off the screen in Fellowship of the Ring, and how the movie had made them so great all within 30 minutes of the movie. We had Bilbo’s funny party speech, Gandalf doing his fireworks show and being a wise wizard, Sam being grabbed from outside the window, and Frodo was kind of just a very sympathetic protagonist. By 45 minutes into the movie, I was on board fully and we even added Merry and Pippin, who also had good moments. This show is now three hours in and while I know who characters are, even Galadriel isn’t exactly popping off the screen. We have “her human partner”, “the not Hobbits, including Nori”, the “captured elves”, and…some other characters. It’s kind of dull, though I am interested in the not-Hobbits and “The Stranger” storyline. The escape attempt from the Orcs was also extremely well shot. I like it, but want it to be better. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/532 "2022-09-10T12:09:56Z")
All through the LotR and The Hobbit, they made sure to show how tall Galadriel is. Last night she looked not tall. Now next to Elendil that would be reasonable, he was freakishly tall, 7’11" but Halbrand appeared taller than her. Despite her height being 6’4". ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/533 "2022-09-10T12:10:08Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > > [@puzzlegal](#): > > > > Maybe it’s Friday midnight on the east coast, which is Thursday 9pm on the west coast? > > Looking it up that is the stated policy. I could have sworn I stumbled on to it available before Thursday 11pm Central though. > > Short period of no open spoilers seems to have a two to one preference. So how short? Mid day Friday US ET? Evening? Saturday 12am ET (a 24 h embargo on open spoilers)? I suggest 24 hours. Saturday, 12am ET. But i have no strong feelings. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/534 "2022-09-10T12:12:07Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > It’s kind of dull, though I am interested in the not-Hobbits and “The Stranger” storyline. > > The escape attempt from the Orcs was also extremely well shot. I’m interested in the not-hobbits and the captured elf. I’m finding it hard to care about Galadrial, despite her being at the heart of the main plot. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/535 "2022-09-10T12:19:44Z")
A question for the geekiest: was Minas Tirith built to resemble the Numenorean capital? I’m thinking specifically of the promontory sticking out wedge-like from the capital buildings. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/536 "2022-09-10T12:25:34Z")
While Minas Tirith was first built by the Faithful Númenóreans as Minas Anor (The Tower of the Sun) it was not said to have been specifically built to look like anything in Númenor. But it makes sense for the Show Runner to reverse engineer the Minas Tirith from Tolkien’s drawing and the movies to build their Númenor city. ETA: There might not be a Tolkien painting or drawing of Minas Tirith. I think I got confused on this one. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/537 "2022-09-10T12:26:39Z")
And it was built by the same culture, so you’d expect some stylistic similarities. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/538 "2022-09-10T14:40:47Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > It has to be the Valar having that sort of power to impact events in mortal realms. I don’t think the Valar work that way, or have the power to, at any rate. Eru, on the other hand… ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/539 "2022-09-10T14:53:33Z")
I was a bit disappointed that there wasn’t any Elrond or Dwarves in this episode. They run the risk of making the stories too disjointed if they drop whole threads for entire episodes. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/540 "2022-09-10T14:58:13Z")
The culture they’re building for the Harfoots is really impressive. The whole “We wait for you” scene was heartbreaking - they’re presented as so kind and innocent, but they literally can’t stop their migration to help those who fall behind. And it looks like Poppy’s entire family was killed in a landslide so she’s left by herself with a small cart and no one to help her pull it. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497/541 "2022-09-10T15:18:58Z")
I am very much ignorant of most lore. Looking it up though, Eru is The Supreme Being and it sounds like created the Valar to do most of shaping other than His (and specified as male?) thoughts creating men and elves and creating consciousness in dwarves. In the material they have rights to, mentioned in an appendix as The One. Sounds hands off. @What_Exit so Ulmo getting involved here makes sense and explains why little intercession otherwise? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497.md?page=26) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497.md?page=28)