I posted this in the Entertainment section, so just copying it here:
Just finished the season finale, and well, the best I can come up with that future seasons have to better because it would be almost impossible to be worse. That said, my feeling is that the less familiar you are with Tolkien the more likely you are have a positive reaction to the show, at least up to this point. The reality is, that almost nothing of any real significance (in the context of Tolkien's history of this time) happens until this last episode. Sauron is outed and the rings are made. But we knew both of those things would happen. It's just that if you've read the books that were published by his son after Tolkien died you know that these "origin stories" - the naming of Mordor, Mount Doom (does a volcano really need an origin story?), Sauron... you know that what they came up with for this show is just silly fan fiction. But if you haven't read that stuff then you're a lot less likely to be annoyed (there is still plenty of cringe-worthy dialog though).
So as for what's to come... I do think it might be better because now that some important things have been established (Sauron in Mordor, the rings existing) they have to deal with some important events. While virtually nothing of substance happened this season (until the finale) there significant things that absolutely must happen if the show is going to get to it's ultimate destination, which is presumably the opening scenes of Peter Jackson's films. What should happen in the coming seasons...
I think all of those things really need to happen in the show, and there is probably enough there (with filler) to make four more seasons. Given the almost amateurish quality of the writing though, I don't have much confidence that it will be well done.
Just finished the season finale, and well, the best I can come up with that future seasons have to better because it would be almost impossible to be worse. That said, my feeling is that the less familiar you are with Tolkien the more likely you are have a positive reaction to the show, at least up to this point. The reality is, that almost nothing of any real significance (in the context of Tolkien's history of this time) happens until this last episode. Sauron is outed and the rings are made. But we knew both of those things would happen. It's just that if you've read the books that were published by his son after Tolkien died you know that these "origin stories" - the naming of Mordor, Mount Doom (does a volcano really need an origin story?), Sauron... you know that what they came up with for this show is just silly fan fiction. But if you haven't read that stuff then you're a lot less likely to be annoyed (there is still plenty of cringe-worthy dialog though).
So as for what's to come... I do think it might be better because now that some important things have been established (Sauron in Mordor, the rings existing) they have to deal with some important events. While virtually nothing of substance happened this season (until the finale) there significant things that absolutely must happen if the show is going to get to it's ultimate destination, which is presumably the opening scenes of Peter Jackson's films. What should happen in the coming seasons...
- Sauron in Mordor, establishes dominion over much of Middle Earth.
- Numenoreans sail to Middle Earth in force, defeat Sauron and bring him back to Numenor in captivity
- Sauron corrupts the Numenoreans and convinces them to attack Valinor
- Numenor is destroyed, Elendil and the Faithful return to Middle Earth. Sauron's physical form is destroyed, he returns to M.E. a spirit of hatred and evil.
- Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor are established
- Various conflict between Mordor and its allies and Arnor and Gondor.
- Last Alliance of Elves and Men, defeat of Sauron, death of Elendil and Gil-Galad
- Isildur takes the ring, is killed, ring is lost in Anduin
- Time jump, ring is obtained by "you know who"
- Numenoreans sail to Middle Earth in force, defeat Sauron and bring him back to Numenor in captivity
- Sauron corrupts the Numenoreans and convinces them to attack Valinor
- Numenor is destroyed, Elendil and the Faithful return to Middle Earth. Sauron's physical form is destroyed, he returns to M.E. a spirit of hatred and evil.
- Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor are established
- Various conflict between Mordor and its allies and Arnor and Gondor.
- Last Alliance of Elves and Men, defeat of Sauron, death of Elendil and Gil-Galad
- Isildur takes the ring, is killed, ring is lost in Anduin
- Time jump, ring is obtained by "you know who"
I think all of those things really need to happen in the show, and there is probably enough there (with filler) to make four more seasons. Given the almost amateurish quality of the writing though, I don't have much confidence that it will be well done.
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