Hello again (after quite a long time…)
I have been enjoying RoP so far, but it’s a little fine-edged. I’ve had to consciously set aside the known chronology of the Second Age, and also (more-or-less) accept that sometimes one character is going to be telling another character’s story and at a different time. I keep remembering PJ’s Osgiliath, and the ‘we shouldn’t even be here’ feeling. It’s that dramatic expediency thing.
I enjoyed this episode particularly because of the greater focus on Númenor, which is just stunning to look at. (Not least because the colour palette, especially the deep blue, is so beautiful.) The premonitions were really well done, I think, as was the depiction of the White Tree.
I thought this episode did a better job of combining exposition with much greater character development. I like Elendil, who is clearly a leader in waiting, and with parental responsibilities (!). And I was intrigued by Adar - who he might be, his relationship to Sauron (Mouth of Sauron, perhaps?)…and why he allowed Arondir to leave.
Other high points were Elrond talking about his father, and also Disa’s Plea to the Rocks. Both very emotive.
I think that King of the Dead has a lot of merit as a theory for Halbrand. Not innately evil (though the fight scene in Ep3 was pretty vicious). To quote back, I think a servant of the Enemy would seem fairer and feel fouler. Exponentially so for the enemy himself.
This is so different to PJs movies, where we knew how the story ended, and what happened to each of the characters. We knew the arc. In RoP we have known names but with new backstories (although some knowledge of ultimate endings) added to a whole bunch of original characters - and we are still seeing how they all fit together.
So much speculation! Which is, of course, why I’ve stepped out of the Hof shadows. I do so enjoy the discussions here.
