Joseph Gulliford

I wish I could be kinder but at most I’d give this a one and a half star so far (not that you can give half a star here and I can’t give it 2). I seriously wanted to like the series and try to be understanding or sympathetic as to what they did not have the rights to use but I am so frustrated by too many things. The biggest disappointment is the character of Galadriel and how far the series veers from the lore and, even if in some instances being true to certain details, it often goes against the spirit of Tolkien. And that all being said, I would try to commend the show for its dialogue and plot threads if I could but these are also a let down. It is poorly written in many places and there are inconsistencies aplenty - i.e. Galadriel swimming the Sundering Seas back from the shores of Valinor to return to her supposable hunt of Sauron (her apparent obsessive vengeful quest) which she later describes as ‘certain death’ to be left in the seas if she were not rescued - so why did she abandon ship at all? Technically she would never have been able to return to Valinor at this point anyway - so perhaps don’t get on the ship to begin with. Indeed, all too many plot threads are just convenient to bring the series to places or situations it wants to be in. Many characters are dumbed down frequently just to make others, like Galadriel, seem more strong or assertive or gifted. Galadriel acts frequently like a petulant child and apparently this is part of her journey of eventually becoming the wise Lady of Lorien that she will eventually be - as if thousands of years is not already enough to mature and develop as a person, in terms of self-control and social interaction, in basic ways! She basically just embodies this ‘toxic masculinity’ that so many shows like this are trying to ironically condemn and undo - as if strong unrelatable women are the answer to this ‘problem’. The visuals are good, in some cases stunning. It would be better if we felt more connected to places - introduced to them through the eyes of a character discovering a place (mostly there are solely panning landscape shots). But it is just about watchable and in some cases a little amusing - hence why I am giving it one (and a half).

An incredibly blessed and Spirit-filled series presenting characters and moments from the Gospels with real depth and vigour. There are some amazing particularly anointed moments that have stayed with me and every time I watch the episodes again I feel graced and renewed - for such moments therein are timeless, and powerfully point to Him, the Way, the Truth and the Life. I am thankful for this series and would highly recommend it to anyone. Be open hearted and give this series a go. Jesus is waiting for you to find Him.