Paul Cooper

Big Tolkien fan since childhood. Like many other fans, I’ve wanted to see a screen adaptation of the Tolkien’s earlier Arda epochs. I’m usually willing to accept artistic license in some films…but… Rings of Power episodes 1&2: Production: 6.5-7/10. Not bad for TV. Obviously big budget which is needed at a minimum, but has some hiccups with costume design and a few other items. CGI: 8/10 The CGI is done well. Important. Acting: 8/10. Decent actors acting well. Mostly. Casting: 5/10. I love Galadriel as a character and Elrond, but not sure I’m down with who they cast as adult Galadriel. Young Galadriel was well cast, spot on. Elrond just doesn’t look or feel like Elrond. Maybe a young Eddard Stark at the Tower of Joy, but not Elrond. Music: 7/10, decent music. Writing: 3/10, ouch. Ok so we all know what happens in the story because we’ve all read Tolkien’s appendices, books, auxiliary notes and writings, letters, but what is going on here? I was bummed when I heard that the show could only pull from such a small sample of the entire Legendarium. At that point, why even proceed with the show if that’s all you can pull from. Here’s a Ferrari, but you don’t get the engine…nor the wheels. The show is disjointed thus far. Confusing. A bit boring and uninspiring. At this point I’m not sure they’re even going to follow the lore and canon. I’m hoping episode three gets better and the show develops as it goes. If not, this show will sail and then sink like the Titanic.