How far did you go with it? You gave up after one episode or something - right?
I pretty much know how it unfolds scene by scene because I am into watching other people crap on it ๐.
ROP is just not my cup of tea, and never will, not canon, not interested in a different version of Sauron, not interested in this version of Galadriel, I don't think the harfoots are interesting, I don't need a female Frodo, or see a genesis story for Gandalf that isn't canon, same for the genesis stories of the Nasguls, or the contrived birth of Mordor, with the volcano, not interested at all. It actually pains me grandly ๐
But I once again, told you I didn't wanna break the glass for you hahaha, and I promise I will not judge you and see you any differently if you tell me it's your favorite thing.
At the end of the day, for me Lord of The Ring is a battle between good and evil, having Sauron almost as a likable character with a big reveal, and Galadriel as the opposite is ruining the franchise and in many ways, it's really telling of how far ideologies and politics have gone, and it's not only in this series but in every franchise, The Last Jedi just did it and made Sith and Jedi a grey area, in The End Games a lot of people are supporting the idea that "Thanos was right to snap his fingers", it all feeds into the same narrative.
Does it mean that I can't enjoy a bad guy, or an anti-hero in a movie?
Game Of Thrones did it well, or Breaking Bad, or Dexter...
Damnit now I said too much hahah, I guess what I enjoy about the old-school LOTR, it's that clear line between act of pure evil, and act of pure kindness, that makes the story even so more powerful:
โSaruman believes that it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I have found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk, that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love.โ
After I wrote that I was like, "that sounds super judgmental in how I said that" haha. I actually just wanted to see where the show started to turn people off - like at what point.
This isn't to criticize your opinion or try to change it or anything I just think that it's an interesting conversation lol.
This part was actually pretty accurate to cannon though. The story takes place in the middle age when Sauron was still able to change his shape. He appeared to many characters in different forms and was often a very likeable guy. That's is what made him a good manipulator and how he was able to endear himself to the Elves and forge the rings with them. So that was fairly accurate to cannon really.
This is a rendition of Sauron in his Annatar form
I thought the show stuck fairly close to cannon overall and even called itself out to fans a few times when it deviated, where necessary. Shows always have to deviate to make them work. The original Peter Jackson movie took all kinds of major liberties with the timeline, removal of characters and changes. Even the version of Sauron as an flaming eye was basically made up, it took a one line metaphor and made it literal, but that rendition of Sauron definitely wasn't cannon.
I sort of like the blurred lines between good and evil myself too because it seems more true to life. I like when the good side commits self righteous "evil" acts because it believes that it is on the side of good. It's like war, when a country destroys another and feels justified because they believe that they are on the side of good, but really both sides are the same with different perspectives. It's like Game of Throne how every side has their own motives and is both good and evil depending on how you view them.
I can still understand that not everyone will like the show though, for any number of reasons. I can appreciate that and don't fault you for it hahaha. Parts were definitely boring and I didn't like every scene - but I also found that with the original Peter Jackson films too. I hated the extended cut and was like "thank God they cut all of these scenes out. These are terrible." ๐ my wife makes me watch the extended version every time and I hate it. I keep telling her that there is a reason why these scenes were edited out ๐
Man we gonna be running in circle on this one, the extended cut is my all time fav ๐โ๏ธ and I think apart from some events that he decided to focus on and stretch in time, Peter Jackson really encapsulate the spirit of LOTR, and is still amazing ๐.
Now for what has been said about Annatar:
"Upon that ship which was cast the highest and stood dry upon a hill there was a man, or one in manโs shape, but greater than any even of the race of Numenor in stature...And it seemed to men that Sauron was great; though they feared the light of his eyes. To many he appeared fair, to others terrible; but to some evil.โ" HoME
As you see Tolkien isn't super descriptive, and this was after Annatar disguise has been discovered and was calling himself King Of Men.
From what I understand, I thought Amazon doesn't own the right of Sirmarillion so we won't see the name Annatar being used, though they'll probably talk about the other rings being forged in season 2 I'm sure of it ๐๐๐
I loved the Peter Jackson LOTRs films but we will have to agree to disagree about the extended cut haha ๐ My wife loved it and a lot of people do so I'm probably the odd ball here lol.
Yes its quite vague but he must have been able to portray himself as good when he wanted to, since he forged the rings with Celebrimbor for thousands of years. Though I do suppose that he could have manipulated him in other ways as well.
You're right. They don't. They only have access to LOTRs and the appendices. The appendices are quite vague though and not much is written on the second age. That gives the show runners a decent amount of leeway to create their stories - which could be a good thing or it could be bad depending on ones perspective. I'm hoping that they don't stray too far from cannon but we will see.