LotR: The Rings of Power 1.07
Oct. 8th, 2022 09:19 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
selenakIn which one does not simply go into the Southlands. Or leave it. Also, the Dwarves and the Harfoots are back.
And I'm glad, as the show got me really invested into those storylines and characters. Durin/Elrond/Disa OT3, I say. But seriously, there was so much meaty stuff not just re: the friendship between Elrond and Durin (IV), but for Durin's and Disa's marriage. I love that Disa isn't just supportive of Durin (and friendly with Elrond), she has her own clear ideas about how the kingdom should be run, and wants her and Durin to do it. Ambitious female characters who aren't villainous or pressed into leadership positions by external circumstances are still very rare. And her anger! The smithing while she's angry! Truly, Disa is a Queen. Lots of good stuff for Elrond, too, not just re: his fondness for Durin, but also his diplomatic smarts and indication of a perspective on the Elves which isn't "jiust" from the inside but also from the outside. In the season opener, there was a brief hint that Elrond's hybrid status means he's not at the original meeting, but in this episode it was the first time Elrond himself brought up the fact he's half human. He did so to convince Durin III, but I didn't have the impression he was lying with what he said.
As for the Harfoots, the Stranger/Surely Gandalf attempting to help the Harfoots and seemingly failng, with only the next day showing he did in fact succeed, Nori giving him an apple on the way despite her new fear/distrust and then later her decision to go after him, with Poppy and Nori's mother signing up and the Trailfinder being drafted were all like a lovely hurt/comfort fic. Now I hope they reunite in the finale, because I need another hug and don't want to wait a year. (Or however long it takes for the next season to arrive.) The white priestesses or whatever they are menacing the Harfoots were truly creepy, with the kind of casual, pointless destructiveness that is always extra chilling to me because it happens so often in rl without the fantasy gear.
Meanwhile, where the Shadows lie: Galadriel and Theo were an unexpected and very effective character combination. Helping one person - not a big cause, not a potential King, just a being in distress in the middle of the apocalypse whom no one else at this moment could pay attention to - was, I suspect, what Galadriel needed both to get out of her own shock in the short term and to start (just to start) dealing with her inner darkness in the long term, as Theo's wish to kill Orcs was clearly meant to echo Galadriel's from last week, and her reply was aimed at both of them. And hey, she even told him about Celeborn, thus establishng that yes, he does exist in this version, and yes, they're married already, while providing an explanation for his absence (she believes him to be dead, just as Elendil now thinks Isildur is dead, meaning they're both alive, if not necessarily well). BTW, because it's been so many years since my last LotR (and appendices) reading, I'm not sure, but, re: the backstory - Celeborn seeing Galadriel first when she's dancing - wasn't that Beren and Luthien in the book? Am amused at Theo's scepticism re: Galadriel and dancing. Conversely, Theo's reunion with Bronwyn and Arondir by the end was lovely. Miriel having gone blind, Elendi's guilt and wish he'd never helped Galadriel out of the sea, and then Galadriel's kneeling before Miriel with Miriel turning out to be not accusatory or crushed but resolved and the two women taking strength from each other was all excellent fanfiction in the best way.
Is Halbrand Sauron indication of the week: being found en route with a wound. Note that no one saw him actually getting hurt, or what exactly he was doing after the volcano eruption.
The Southlands/Mordoer switch in the titles at the end was superflous, we got the point already, scriptwriters. Weary Adar enjoying his moment of Orc homeland providing was earned, from his pov, but won't last, as Sauron, whoever he is, will presumably screw him over soon.
And I'm glad, as the show got me really invested into those storylines and characters. Durin/Elrond/Disa OT3, I say. But seriously, there was so much meaty stuff not just re: the friendship between Elrond and Durin (IV), but for Durin's and Disa's marriage. I love that Disa isn't just supportive of Durin (and friendly with Elrond), she has her own clear ideas about how the kingdom should be run, and wants her and Durin to do it. Ambitious female characters who aren't villainous or pressed into leadership positions by external circumstances are still very rare. And her anger! The smithing while she's angry! Truly, Disa is a Queen. Lots of good stuff for Elrond, too, not just re: his fondness for Durin, but also his diplomatic smarts and indication of a perspective on the Elves which isn't "jiust" from the inside but also from the outside. In the season opener, there was a brief hint that Elrond's hybrid status means he's not at the original meeting, but in this episode it was the first time Elrond himself brought up the fact he's half human. He did so to convince Durin III, but I didn't have the impression he was lying with what he said.
As for the Harfoots, the Stranger/Surely Gandalf attempting to help the Harfoots and seemingly failng, with only the next day showing he did in fact succeed, Nori giving him an apple on the way despite her new fear/distrust and then later her decision to go after him, with Poppy and Nori's mother signing up and the Trailfinder being drafted were all like a lovely hurt/comfort fic. Now I hope they reunite in the finale, because I need another hug and don't want to wait a year. (Or however long it takes for the next season to arrive.) The white priestesses or whatever they are menacing the Harfoots were truly creepy, with the kind of casual, pointless destructiveness that is always extra chilling to me because it happens so often in rl without the fantasy gear.
Meanwhile, where the Shadows lie: Galadriel and Theo were an unexpected and very effective character combination. Helping one person - not a big cause, not a potential King, just a being in distress in the middle of the apocalypse whom no one else at this moment could pay attention to - was, I suspect, what Galadriel needed both to get out of her own shock in the short term and to start (just to start) dealing with her inner darkness in the long term, as Theo's wish to kill Orcs was clearly meant to echo Galadriel's from last week, and her reply was aimed at both of them. And hey, she even told him about Celeborn, thus establishng that yes, he does exist in this version, and yes, they're married already, while providing an explanation for his absence (she believes him to be dead, just as Elendil now thinks Isildur is dead, meaning they're both alive, if not necessarily well). BTW, because it's been so many years since my last LotR (and appendices) reading, I'm not sure, but, re: the backstory - Celeborn seeing Galadriel first when she's dancing - wasn't that Beren and Luthien in the book? Am amused at Theo's scepticism re: Galadriel and dancing. Conversely, Theo's reunion with Bronwyn and Arondir by the end was lovely. Miriel having gone blind, Elendi's guilt and wish he'd never helped Galadriel out of the sea, and then Galadriel's kneeling before Miriel with Miriel turning out to be not accusatory or crushed but resolved and the two women taking strength from each other was all excellent fanfiction in the best way.
Is Halbrand Sauron indication of the week: being found en route with a wound. Note that no one saw him actually getting hurt, or what exactly he was doing after the volcano eruption.
The Southlands/Mordoer switch in the titles at the end was superflous, we got the point already, scriptwriters. Weary Adar enjoying his moment of Orc homeland providing was earned, from his pov, but won't last, as Sauron, whoever he is, will presumably screw him over soon.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-08 01:23 pm (UTC)We were watching this morning and I said to M, this is giving me what teenage me longed for: lots of women in active roles: warrior Galadriel, Miriel, Disa, Bronwyn, Nori and the other Harfoots who've just signed up, . Growing up loving the books way before the Jackson films, I only had Galadriel in her wise elven queen later mode, and Eowyn, who came along kinda late. My fictional/filmic crushes may be male, but I cheer for the women.
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Date: 2022-10-08 05:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-09 12:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-09 11:45 am (UTC)So much. None of them is saddled with having to be perfect due to being the only female character around, and it's delightful to watch all of them!
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Date: 2022-10-09 12:02 pm (UTC)Also, Disa! I would not mess with her!
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Date: 2022-10-08 05:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-09 11:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-08 08:49 pm (UTC)Both Isildur and Celeborn have to be alive, but I'll be interested in seeing how they show back up again, though I suspect Isildur will be found by his horse.
I still think the lead lady in white is Sauron, but I guess we'll see!
no subject
Date: 2022-10-09 11:42 am (UTC)Isildur will definitely be saved by his horse, but I don't expect we'll see Celeborn this season. Next season, though, his whereabouts could make for the season opener teaser scene, or something like that...
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Date: 2022-10-09 12:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-10 07:52 pm (UTC)This Galadriel has grown on me very much, and I can an interesting character arc in store for her - connecting this weary warrior to a wise queen we know later. And Celeborn bit was done great, I think. Otherwise, his absence was giving more questions. Now we know, he'll be back.
I absolutely love every moment of Disa. And her casual angry smithing, and her humor, and her regal bearing. And I don't care whether she has a beard or not. And elvish hair fashion is beyond my concerns.
And yes, the pacing issues, and show not being subtle... I am fine somehow. I am watching with kids, and it was nice for us all to get this Mordor title card.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-11 06:57 am (UTC)This Galadriel has grown on me very much, and I can an interesting character arc in store for her - connecting this weary warrior to a wise queen we know later. And Celeborn bit was done great, I think. Otherwise, his absence was giving more questions. Now we know, he'll be back.
Same here. I really like arcs where wisdom comes through experience. And Galadriel's awareness that she would be terrible if ever taking the Ring for herself gains yet another layer when you know she did have to struggle in her earlier years even without a magical power boosting device. Re: Celeborn, that bit of her recalling she teased him by calling him a silver clam because of the armor instantly shows so much, the two of them being comfortable and joyful with each other, and so while we haven't gotten to know the RoP version of Celeborn yet, I'm predisposed to like their relationship. I'm also very curious how they'll flesh him out in future seasons.
I absolutely love every moment of Disa. And her casual angry smithing, and her humor, and her regal bearing. And I don't care whether she has a beard or not. And elvish hair fashion is beyond my concerns.
Hard same. We've been waiting for so long for a female dwarf with actual lines, and while I've liked several Hobbit fanfiction versions of Thorin's sister Dis, I am overjoyed the show not only gave us an on screen female dwarf with dialogue but with such a vivid personality. As for Elvish hairstyles, as I said in my first review of this show, as someone with a lot of historical interests I've had training in adjusting to every hairstyle under the sun. :) As long as the characters are interestingly written and the actors are good, I don't care!