If you're interested in my thoughts on the first two episodes, here's a brief summation of my honest opinion. If not...have a lovely day. I feel like this show needs to be viewed through two lenses; it's quality as a Tolkien adaptation, and it's quality as a piece of entertainment in its own right. Before I began watching, I decided to put aside all preconceptions, be as positive as possible, and really genuinely try to enjoy it. But honestly, I thought it was awful. The first scene left such a sour taste in my mouth, and it just kept getting worse from there. As a Tolkien adaptation it's pitiful. 1/10 is a generous score. However as a piece of entertainment in its own right (and I really wasn't expecting this), I think it's just as bad. If we remove Tolkien's writings entirely, all that's left is an amazingly one-dimensional, insultingly unintelligent, and thoroughly boring two hours of nothing. I couldn't believe it. By the end of the second episode I couldn't wait for it to be over so I could go to bed. With one or two exceptions, I found the characters astoundingly unlikeable, the plot was unengaging, and I really really didn't care about any of it. That's not to say it was 100% awful from start to finish, there were a few things that weren't awful, but any minor redeeming features were utterly eclipsed by how much I generally did not care. It's sad really. I have no interest whatsoever in watching future episodes. And I know this may sound like a hateful review, but it's not. I'm not hateful, I'm not emotional, I'm not angry. I'm just blown away by how dumb the whole thing was. I genuinely can't fathom how anyone can watch it and consider it Tolkienian. Now, I wouldn't judge anyone else for liking it (to each their own), but to me, it pretty objectively failed to capture Middle-earth; and if we remove all the Middle-earth lore from the picture, and focus solely on the show as a piece of creative entertainment, it still absolutely failed to capture any interest whatsoever. The musical score is beautiful though - I would definitely recommend listening to Bear McGreary's soundtrack if you're into that kind of thing. However, in my opinion, the sad truth is this: our time is too valuable to waste on 2 hours of a profoundly forgettable TV show. But, bravo Bear McGreary, sir. You're far too talented for the Rings of Power.

@MichaelDG2023

Жыл бұрын

I agree. Equal parts bored and offended. And with each minute that passes a kind of sad disappointment sets in… I am having trouble finishing the first episode.

@SP-dh8rb

Жыл бұрын

I sadly agree. I thought I had lowered my expectations sufficiently to be able to be pleased. I was wrong. I feel as deceived as Celebrimbor

@majkus

Жыл бұрын

They did not quite lose me in the first scene, but "We had no word for death" certainly put me on my guard (don't say stupid things about Tolkien's languages!). Actually, the only time I remember being engaged was the domestic scene with Durin IV and Disa, which wasn't much like Tolkien, but at least had (for me, anyway) charming performances where I felt I was watching characters and not functions.

@mveytia

Жыл бұрын

Come on, it wasn't that bad. I did find it a little boring at times, but it's far from the pile of shit a lot of KZreadrs were claiming and hoping it would be. And a lot of great shows have shaky 1st seasons. It can take time for writers, showrunners, and actors to find their characters or the exact story they want to tell.

@rachaelbao

Жыл бұрын

Agreed on all counts. We hates it, hates it, for ever. I spent over an hour and a half rooting for Sauron to show up and slaughter all of these insufferably written dippindots. They weren't characters so much as attitude delivery devices and the attitudes were the worst.

Someone give this man a billion dollars to make this the show we all want and need!

@Prototype-357

Жыл бұрын

There's always GoFundMe.

@amarissimus29

Жыл бұрын

By 'we all' I assume you mean those of us who are literate and don't hate our forebears. I don't know how many are left.

@ghouling1111

Жыл бұрын

Yes!!!!

@Robutnikon

Жыл бұрын

Amen! 🙏🏻👌🏻🙏🏻

@kyle4369

Жыл бұрын

T I

The writers complained that if they did the second age without compressing the timeline, then the first human characters would be dead by the end of it. So what? Isn’t that the point: that we get to see this world through Elvish eyes and see how fleeting human lives are to them?

@tolkienuntangled

Жыл бұрын

Yep. That should be the point.

@potita24

Жыл бұрын

Well Númenóreans lived at least 250 years, and some longer that that. Some seasons could have some of the Númenóreans and subsequent seasons other Númenóreans. My main complaint is the lack of a good plot, acting and dialog connected to Tolkien writings. So far I not even see any elves speak the languages invented by Tolkien.

@Angrenost02

Жыл бұрын

Also the mortality of Men should be a central point of any show that aims to tell the fall of Numenor.

@Han-rw9ev

Жыл бұрын

What were they expecting? This is the story of Middle-Earth, set in the Second Age and spanning millennia. The reign of Numenor lasted almost as long as the Second Age. We could have seen the story from the point of view of the Elves. Instead, we get the Amazon squished version. I'm so GLAD these people aren't adapting the Silmarillion. They're not fit to adapt ANY Tolkien story. RESPECT THE LORE

@yomamma.ismydaddy216

Жыл бұрын

Lol right?! If they didn’t want to adapt Tolkien’s world or have to change it to have the kind of show they want, then they should have just created their own world and story! It’s just idiotic

Watching this after seeing the disaster that the show turned out to be is truly bittersweet. The beginning scene with Elrond and Elros made me tear up. I wish I could see that on screen so so so much. Elrond is such a complex, wonderful character and they ruined him.

An emotional scene with Elrond and Elros would just be so satisfying. The hurt that Elrond must feel, how Elros says death is a gift and yet might still be afraid. And then they could show how Elrond sees all of the future kings of Númenor, and sees the decline... As you said, bittersweet.

@juliebartlett4222

5 ай бұрын

And on top of that, it would actually give a bit more...credibility, perhaps, to his portrayal in the film. Elrond has already lost family whom he will never see again, not even in the hereafter; and now his beloved daughter is about to make that same choice. It may not be quite right to let those feelings influence you, but...as a parent myself, it resonates.

It hurts to keep this video going as the more I listen to your approach to how the show could be, the more it reminds me that what it has failed to be 😭

You understand Elves and character motivation and story structure far more than the showrunners do. This is an excellent outline, and I would have loved to see this fully realized. The linguistic plot element is just....*chef's kiss*

That was some truly amazing storytelling. I'm in awe. It's so tragic that there was not a single competent writer on the Rings of Power team.

“They’re mortal, so they won’t last..” sorry but that gave me a chuckle 😂 Watching this makes me want to cry because this short video is leaps and bounds better than all of season one combined 😭😭 the respect and knowledge that you have for Tolkien lore is something that the stupid show runners were seriously lacking. Ugh. I’m sticking with your version!! 👏🏼🥰

@GaldierMusic

Жыл бұрын

I feel you... the entirety of the ROP shows a lack of care, understanding, and reverence for Tolkien. It's despicable how they've treated something we love

@gourdtube

Жыл бұрын

Ditto. I'm so sad that they disrespected Tolkien like that. I wish I could clock

What a fantastic blueprint you've crafted for conveying the lore and themes of Tolkien's work. I would have happily paid twice the subscription fee to see skilled writers bring that opening scene to life. Even the late great Christopher J. R. Tolkien may have turned his head toward this faithful version of the Second Age.

@unseenredalert1470

Жыл бұрын

I agree, this is how the Second Age should be explored on the screen. Amazon crashed it into a generic fantasy story with elves, warrior queens, dwarves and evil spirits. I dare to bet that they'll also include firebreathing dragons, because every fantasy story needs one these days. The themes that Amazon are going for are the colour of one's skin and their gender / sexual orientation. Those things that Tolkien did not write about, because Amazon is adapting a story of over 50 years old, resembling an England / Europe thousands of years in the past, as it would be woke-told today.

This guy in a couple of days wrote a story more interesting and faithful to the source material than the 2 showrunners (the blondie version of Dumb and Dumber) in two and a half years. This guy showed that passion and creativity are the key to success, something that the millions of dollars of amazon apparently coudn't (or wouldn't) be able to purchase.

@ziephel-6780

Жыл бұрын

The answer is that Passion and Creativity aren't what Amazon is going for. They want to purposefully demoralize and kill the spirit of western literature. Kill hope/inspiration, and the next generation is without hope/inspiration. Weakening the west in the long-term.

@ricksanchez4969

Жыл бұрын

It's more important to have black elves

@FreedomAndPeaceOnly

Жыл бұрын

_"Rainbow Dave"_ is a mentally healthy, normal Human. So he has no place at the writing table for a work that has the main-goal to deny white people their culture, past, history & even their own fantasy universes. The New World Order is angry that HitIer was so unexpectedly successful in halting it's aim to unite the whole world under one government, with a certain type of Synagoge humans in the role of the "masta rais".

@heboric6136

Жыл бұрын

@@ricksanchez4969 That's just a bad joke, it's more than "black elf" Watch the video then maybe formulate an edgy joke around them not being able to handle then girth and mass of the timeline or something

@kyoxilbuzz

Жыл бұрын

Can't agree more. If every Tolkien fans would fork 100 bucks in crowdfunding, we could make the absolute perfect serie with his scenario...we can even still put some black elfves and dwarves to please the blue haired SJW...the problem is that Bezos wanted his GoT on Amazon...this is exactly what they will deliver (or try to).

Somebody PLEASE give Rainbow Dave a budget, crew, and rights to anything Tolkien. This was a fantastic version!!

This is so well done. If only you were on the shows writing team. I’m looking forward to the next video! And don’t apologize for it being too long, we love it.

No joke I literally got more hype when I saw this video in my subscription box than from ANYTHING Amazon’s “Rings of Power” has ever put out. I won’t be watching their nonsense but I’ll gladly listen to this version instead.

@austinjones8420

Жыл бұрын

Fully agree

@FreedomAndPeaceOnly

Жыл бұрын

Next we will see an Africa Movie ( _maybe "Wakanda 2"_ ) in which every third or fourth African is white or Asian. We need more REPRESENTATION, REPRESENTATION, REPRESENTATION, DIE-WORSE-ITY, MY-NO-RITY and much less of the traditional and authetic "Supern°zi original". 😈

@muddlewait8844

Жыл бұрын

100% agreed on being more hype for this than any of the show trailers. I wish more people had waited to see what was coming and taken this approach, rather than doing rage content.

@Cxncxnz

Жыл бұрын

Real LOTR fans will never accept this and watch this cause they know the truth about how much they have messed it up.. if we don't watch it then it will fail and someone else will pick it up in the future and fix it lol

@g.t.werber4476

Жыл бұрын

Same

This is the story I ‘d have loved to watch in a series about the Rings of Power. I’m looking forward to next video about seasons 3,4, and 5

it would have been the best series of all time if the show's history would be something like this

Now this, THIS, is the Rings of Power adaptation I want to see. I wish I were half as excited about the show as I am about this video. Thank you so much for making this and putting in so much effort into this video.

This got me super excited for the show, then I remembered this is a KZread video and not anything like the show will be. Then my heart sank.

@impeachbiden2398

Жыл бұрын

Don’t let it sink! We both love Tolkien for the creative genius he is. These writers ruined a perfectly good opportunity, but I’m also seeing Kit-Kat commercials with elvish writing being featured in it since they are partnered with the show now. Tolkien hated corporations especially ones that would attempt to manipulate and alter his characters, stories, dialogues and themes. Read some Tolkien today and guarantee you’ll immediately be reminded of why we reject creative ‘interpretations not changes’ to his works. Have a good day and do something for yourself! ELENDIL!!!

@sethmoldenhauer6403

Жыл бұрын

@@impeachbiden2398 so very true. Unlike the show runners, I do actually go back to the books, go back to the books, go back to the books. It's just sad to see what Tolkien's legacy is becoming. In the end hopefully the show and marketing will drive more people to the source material. Have a fantastic day, my friend.

@Enerdhil

Жыл бұрын

If only....😞

@Ningnomaningnong

Жыл бұрын

It gives me a The Princess Bride look...without the humor...and cool characters...and real fighting skill.....hmmm. Just cosplay I guess.

This was so damn good and engaging. Even if the show is terrible, videos like these will be beacons of the beauty of Tolkien's work.

@charlesstanford1310

Жыл бұрын

Blessed are the timid hearts that evil hate, that quail in its shadow, and yet shut the gate; that seek no parley, and in guarded room, though small and bare, upon a clumsy loom weave tissues gilded by the far-off day hoped and believed in under Shadow's sway. ("Mythopoeia")

@matteuserissonlindstrom6433

Жыл бұрын

Oui, oui!

@meleardil

Жыл бұрын

I pity the artists participating in this. I have seen a lot of really great work from them, but their art are defiled by the filthy politics smeared all over the prettyness. 2nd age and the Blue wizards who went east. Easterlings, Haradrim and the Black Years. It could have been TRUE to Tolkien, an interesting story, AND it could still satisfy the WokeCult madness with lotsa-lotsa nonwhites. Win-win. BUT... creating a good story was NOT the goal. DESTROYING a good story was...

@CoolKidMethew

Жыл бұрын

@@meleardil I absolutely agree, I cannot tell you how much I'd adore seeing an adaptation of the Haradrim and Easterlings, especially with the recent information released in The Nature of Middle Earth. But instead they take the lazy way it would seem.

@Th0ughtf0rce

Жыл бұрын

@@meleardil Imagine if a trailer showed the Easterling/Haradrim alliance formed, their leaders vowing revenge on the West, villages burn, armies clash, and a distraught old man in blue robes said to his similarly dressed companion: "By Eru... what have we done?" 🥲

The difference between your rendition of how it should be and what we actually expect is your deep knowledge and love of the subject. They should have hired you run this show.

When we find out that the men we knew have died of old age, it would be cool to show the elves feeling weary of this. Assuming people are alive who died a long time ago. Having a psychological story about how immortality sucks.

@scott8448

Жыл бұрын

Had a brief moment of it in the last hobbit movie which wasn’t done bad so could see it playing out well.

@LupusAries

Жыл бұрын

A it bit like when Beor the old died? That would make sense and it, together with the opening scene, would make Elrond's opposition to Arwen and Aragorn's match more understandable to the casual viewer. He's already lost his brother, he doesn't want to loose his daughter as well. And for us fans, it would be a great boon.

@Enerdhil

Жыл бұрын

Yes. The Elves are immortal but they do fade. I think all those who were in Valinor would have faded faster in Middle Earth.

@ArJay1688

Жыл бұрын

Yes i agree. I think it would be nice too to explore how being forever bound to Arda (i wouldn't say immortal) could potentially influence how Elves view this as something Men shouldn't envy, and that death is indeed a gift as perceived by the Elves. It will also explain why they've become sadder and detached in the later ages.

@pwmiles56

Жыл бұрын

Yes. You could have Elrond foreseeing this in the opening scene (he is naturally foresighted). He sees that he will ultimately regret not making the choice of his brother. Also it will explain why they make the Rings of Power: The chief power (of all the rings alike) was the prevention or slowing of decay (i.e. 'change' viewed as a regrettable thing), the preservation of what is desired or loved, or its semblance - this is more or less an Elvish motive. -- Letter 131

Please do continue this series. I have listened to this instead of ever watching the Prime travesty and I'm going to pretend that this was what they made with their eye-watering budget. YOU are a true fan and it shows through in this faithful and meaningful set of ideas. It truly pains me that we could have got something closer to this but now we never will. Thank you.

@jonathanaldridge4114

Жыл бұрын

edpistemic they reinveted a character and threw in one that were not even their. As far as I am concerned I am out of the rings of power.

@christ3851

Жыл бұрын

@@PaulDA2000 well, lets not be hasty here, i guess not all of us are going to watch it and there are even more that will stop watching after the first lets say 1-3 episodes if the show turns out to be a disaster. Honestly, i really really reeeeeally hope they will not turn this into a woke femdom series with Michael Bay special effects and a very shallow plotline but that we will see after the first few episodes have been released. From this point on, all we can do is pray. In silence.

@Korodarn

Жыл бұрын

@@PaulDA2000 Yeah, real fans lap up content from megacorps based on them purchasing names and licenses.

@oglilith6623

Жыл бұрын

@@PaulDA2000 ah yes Peter Jackson wasn't "too faithful" to the lore at all even though Simon tolkien said that. To quote JRRT "the cannons of narrative cannot be wholly different; and the failure of poor films is often precisely in exaggeration, and in the intrusion of unwarranted matter owing to not percieving where the core of the original lies." That is precisely what rings of power have done, they have taken LoTR in name only the writing characters and lore are trashed in this new expensive tv show. Unlike the movies that at least tried to stay as true as possible to JRRT writings and cost way less to make and have more heart and soul and inspired so many to read the books and created new "real fans" as you claim to be, seems you know very little about JRRT or his works. But feel free to like a generic fantasy tale (just because LoTR label is slapped on the title) that doesn't reflect his work, ideas, inspirations, passion for literature and language and wrote a whole long ass essay on why as a reader of literature one must fundamentally understand and explore the authors use of language of that time to give context and deeper understanding... "fool of a took" you are.

@khalaq2

Жыл бұрын

@@PaulDA2000 _"All of us real Tolkien fans?"_ So, you claim to speak on behalf of all of us? If true, that would be ridiculously presumptuous and egotistical of you.

This was a masterpiece. Gorgeous. Taking this trip through this storyline that could have been was truly, well, bittersweet. Thank you for the time and effort you dedicated to putting all this together. I knew the time compression was a problem, but seeing how it could have been without it just makes it so clear how much more beautiful and artistic a story it could have been, even if it might have been too much of a commercial risk for the studio. I wish they’d taken it, but maybe 20 years from now someone will do it better insha’Allah. But having videos like this helps fill that gap a bit. Cheers.

@timothylong3110

Жыл бұрын

Bittersweet… that’s a fairly honest Tolkien experience…

Season two would also present the opportunity for an excellent side story: the loss of the Entwives and the destruction of their famous gardens. It could also allow for Treebeard to be used as a continuous ever-present character throughout all five seasons, possibly even as some sort of a narrator.

@kyjo72682

Жыл бұрын

I don't think that would fit well with his character.. Ents were keeping away from the "affairs of men, elves and wizzards" so it would be weird for him to tell the stories..

@codinghusky5196

Жыл бұрын

@@kyjo72682 it would be an opportunity to show, however, that those who keep away from the affairs of others do not necessarily manage to remain unaffected by them.

I'm half way through the video and always wishing you were on the script writing team of the series. I think the theme being death and deathlessness would be amazing.

@benji-24

Жыл бұрын

its literally going to be a big theme of the show already...

@Daatistus

Жыл бұрын

Before I started to watch this video I had same kind of idea to use Elrond and Elros to show how fleeting mortal life is in eyes of Elvenkind (inspired by showrunners comment about men dying season to season) but oh my, this storyline would make so perfect sense and it would be rather "easy" to adapt on screen. In this one hour youtube video you have more relevant content than whole Amazon team have put out in last year. I won't say it was easy to come up with this but if you did come up with this seemingly so easily, I can only wonder how bad those "professionals" have to be....

@Enerdhil

Жыл бұрын

Any theme besides "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" would be appreciated.

@seanhartel5362

Жыл бұрын

Are you kidding? They would kick Rainbow Dave off the crew faster than Sam can say taters.

@Enerdhil

Жыл бұрын

@@aishaalamoudi599 I think Trisha Lilly was referring to the storylines. There is no way any of the script will have a Tolkienian feel to it. All characters are either new or changed

Cor, that intro scene! yes! I have been incredibly dismayed that they have felt the need to compress the timeline. Ive always thought the ageing of men was central to the foundation of tolkien's work. why would you want to get rid of it?

@Isomorphist

Жыл бұрын

Because they’re trying to make a marvel type tv show

@kyjo72682

Жыл бұрын

@@Isomorphist Marvel type TV show from Tolkien's work? smh...

After watching the first 3 episodes op RoP i can say: One hour of your rough ideas for a 2nd Age Series makes for an infinitely better story, than Amazon managed to tell in 3 hours. It was entertaining and provided escapism, which RoP does not. And it contains infinitely more Tolkien. Which is tecnically not that hard, since RoP doesn't contain any. But you know what I mean. I love your Idea for the opening scene. It pulled me in right away.

@stefleopard9975

Жыл бұрын

HEAR! HEAR!

@matt-be8lc

Жыл бұрын

Make that 8+ hours! Garbage show.

@misterwabbit4690

4 ай бұрын

Honestly watching these videos just makes me forget about RoP entirely. This feels much more deeply ingrained in Tolkien and thus will forever occupy that space in my mind which RoP failed to do.

Seeing this after seeing ROP - your story is MUCH MUCH MUCH better than anything Amazon produced. Amazon is a terribly written fan fiction that has nothing to do with Tolkien, mainly because the showrunners, writers and everyone connected to the production of the show never wanted to honor Tolkien and just use the rights to out-Tolkien, Tolkien. I honestly don't believe that they've even open any of Tokien's work and just have summaries and maybe open a wiki, because they took Tolkien's universe and transform it and make it "Amazon's". Your writing shows how much you love and honor Tolkien - Kudos!

I am impressed by your vision! I had goosebumps when I heard the description of the prologue about Elros and Elrond. Can’t wait for the next seasons!

The way you described the first scene gave me goosebumps! Well done RD

@mariaangelitaanderson469

Жыл бұрын

Yes, it is beautiful idea.

@GreatGreebo

Жыл бұрын

Right?!?

@magiv4205

Жыл бұрын

The first scene alone was so good that if the actual series doesn't start like that, it has automatically lost

@tolkienuntangled

Жыл бұрын

Thanks guys!

Dude. I've only known you've existed for like a month, maybe 6 weeks, idk. I watch your videos basically constantly now. Your care for the source material, your language and character pronunciations, knowledge of the various languages (OMG and Sindar language call out was a remarkably genius detail). Your clear and concise story help me remember why Tolkien is a legend. But this was even more! Above and beyond! Truly great thinking. And there's basically no way you haven't ruined the show. Who could live up to the accurate truth?!?!? But thanks, RAINBOW DAVE!!

@tolkienuntangled

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I'm really glad you enjoyed the video.

@Alberto-wu1mj

Жыл бұрын

I also discovered these videos relatively recently and just love them.

@laurenmadican1019

Жыл бұрын

Same! I would never have appreciated the vastness of Tolkein's work, and all the epic tales besides The Hobbit and LOTR if it wasn't for Rainbow Dave. I was disappointed when RoP came out but all the videos on this channel are infinity better, I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon such a great story teller with a real passion for Tolkien's rich and colourful world, couldn't recommend you highly enough, thank you @tolkienuntangled!

I'm a Tolkien novice; I read the LOTR trilogy when the movies came out, I saw the first two Hobbit films, and that's it. I'm following this ROP disaster via commentary videos rather than watching it for myself. THANK YOU for this fascinating, engaging summary of what a quality TV show could have been! I always found the origin of the rings confusing in the original trilogy, and this clarification is interesting and useful.

You should have been the writer, your story sounds fantastic & most importantly respects Tolkien & the lore.

As said many times before, Thank you Rainbow Dave @ Tolkien Untangled for making these videos.

WHAT?! A strong, capable female character that does a smart and, dare I say, feminine thing in protecting and caring for all the victims of war?! You mean, she could be a woman NOT slicing and dicing orcs and trolls and winning wars on her own and STILL be a badass in many ways? i don't know, man...Sounds like heresy to me! Sarcasm aside, everything you just told me in the last hour sounds absolutely amazing. What a story that would be! I think Prof. Tolkien would nod approvingly and smile through his pipe. May Eru grant him peace!

@abbiejo6822

Жыл бұрын

Wait, a female character can be strong without acting more stereotypically male or being super aggressive? Inconceivable!

@juliebartlett4222

5 ай бұрын

@@abbiejo6822 It's weird how, whenever Hollywood (and its adjacents) want to write a "strong woman", they always assign her the worst traits from both sexes' stereotypes: the shrewish hyperemotionality of women, and the "toxic masculinity" of men. And then they demand that all shall love her and despair. (note that I say "stereotypes")

@abbiejo6822

5 ай бұрын

@@juliebartlett4222 ikr? Heaven forbid they write a character that acts like a mature adult human.

Dave of many Colours, you have outdone yourself this time. You have an understanding of Tolkien that very few (including Tolkien content creators) have. Not only that but you are able to explain it so beautifully and in so much detail. You are the absolute best. Can't wait for the rest of your "adaptation". Cheers!

@tolkienuntangled

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! I'm really glad you enjoyed the video.

Like many others in the comment section I was more excited for this than the actual show. In a perfect world this show would be like you described. Also you know they have to include humans because however could us simpletons relate to people that aren’t human or that don’t look like us. Great video Rainbow Dave.

@tolkienuntangled

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

That was a great version of what could've been. I like how you made it work within their constraints as well. And the way you kept it faithful to Tolkien and work for them, we could also do for the diversity aspect. It's so easy to show a black dwarf princess but she comes from the red mountains and it's a huge deal that the houses could be connected or have other characters come from the East and South to show diversity especially since there should be those Southern Numenorian colonies shown in this series. It's so easy to fit characters of all colors into Tolkien's world while staying faithful to the source material.

@knullhast

Жыл бұрын

Why is this so important? Why is it always so important to fit people of all colors into Tolkiens works? Why? That in itself shows a huge amount of racism towards people who are not caucasuian. Like we have nothing to be proud of, nothing to celbrate or to make a good story of? its just so fucking dumb and racist it makes my brain hurt. If you cant accept anglo-saxon/Scandinavian inspired folklore than watch something else.

@lancevalencia6852

Жыл бұрын

@@knullhast I mean if you know how Tolkien described men from the south and east, then you should know that they aren't white. Even Jackson portrayed that in his trilogy.

@knullhast

Жыл бұрын

@@lancevalencia6852 of course! And I have no issue with that which you already know. It’s about whitewashing to push a political narrative, in the end it’s about to create rootlessness in the younger generations. Believe me when I say that the nazis is behind this, the real nazis. They want it for themselves, I know for sure. I live among them. They are hiding in plain sight. But people can’t see.

@ishmaelforester9825

Жыл бұрын

Nobody cares about 'diversity' in Tolkien. It is part of 'diversity' as it is. A black dwarf is just retarded. It's northern European mythos. The sensible twist would be, have a Southron lost in the North (fish out of water). Then you get your fetish for brown faces satisfied and it makes sense in context. It would also be a profound way to introduce Tolkien to a broader audience: I mean, the Southron would be clueless about Middle-Earth, so would have to receive it expositionally, like everyone unfamiliar with it. It writes itself.

@lancevalencia6852

Жыл бұрын

@@ishmaelforester9825 You're basically parroting what I said. If you look where the Red Mountains are, you'd notice they are in the East where Tolkien has said darker colored people reside. Also like I said there are plenty of ways to introduce darker people into Middle Earth that make sense with the Lore. Also fetish is a weird word to use in this context... maybe there's some underlying desires you're suppressing there.

this sounds just so awesome! I would love to see it. The point where Annatar stops by the middle men civilisation, if that is the point when we first get subtitles for them, so we know he understands them (implying maybe he has been contributing to poor communication between them and the elves) would be so sinister I got chills

Spectacular video, well done sir! Tolkien provided a detailed framework for the history of the Second Age, and you've proposed a story that both adheres to the lore and respects Tolkien's vision. I'm looking forward to the next instalment in this series. Tolkien forever, Amazon never!

1:28 is so true. WHY MAKE GALADRIEL (An imortal elf) THE MAIN CHARACTER IF YOU ARE GOING TO COMPRESS THE TIMELINE?

@Taalzen

Жыл бұрын

because it's dumb, and that can sum what we have seen so far about rings of power sadly

This is great. I could suggest a few touches for the opening scene: -- bring in "Death is just another path, one that we all must take" (Gandalf to Pippin). -- play on the parallel with Sam and Frodo parting at the Grey Havens. This might soften a pretty sombre theme -- Give Elrond the foresight (which he has) to see that he will at last become weary and wish that he had chosen Elros's path. This will prepare the "preserving" or time-stopping motive I think though that death scenes are most acceptable to the audience after a battle where the character is in some way redeemed or fulfilled. E.g. Thorin, Boromir, Theoden. So I'm not sure this one would engage us enough. There would need to be some foreshadowing of "evil returns", to set up the necessary tension. Just guessing, fascinating ideas to think about

@djhrm23

Жыл бұрын

“Death is just another path, one that we all must take” says Gandalf… the immortal…

@pwmiles56

Жыл бұрын

@@djhrm23 Well, technically he has already taken it. But I take your point. Tolkien was using ideas of his own theology, not excluding the Incarnation, but trying to keep the Middle-earth version of it fictional. A tricky act to pull off. It would be better to keep the theology on the sidelines, like PJ did -- but unfortunately it's at the centre of the story. No-one said this adaptation could actually be done!

@lynnm6413

Жыл бұрын

No, I‘d leave the third age characters out of this…it would only create false expectations

@unseenredalert1470

Жыл бұрын

The opening scene as told by Rainbow Dave is fantastic. However, for a casual viewer watching the show at home on the couch with no prior knowledge of the works of Tolkien, the death of Elros will be the death of just another unknown old man. This doesn't have to be all that bad, if we'll be shown how much they care about each other and, as Rainbow Dave said too, the viewer must learn at the end that these two are brothers. In later episodes we could then see flashes of this parting again and again. Elrond commenting on a treath from a (great)grandson of Elros. In the war Elrond wishing that his brother could have been at his side, yet also mourning all the years lost in seperation.

@meleardil

Жыл бұрын

@@djhrm23 The main point is: NOBODY has the faintest idea what happens to mortals after they die. Not even the Valar know, and that is the part where Eru F***ED up! It was very easy for Melkor and later Sauron to deceive men, when nobody knows sh*t about the real path of death. All that the mortals know is this: it is forced upon them no matter what they want, and it is BAD. Sad, final and full of suffering. What a "gift" it is! Pfff!!!! Just ask Elrond, how much fun it was to say goodbye FOREVER to his twin brother and than to his only daughter! All he knows, that they will be separated for eternity beyond the boundaries of the universe, and that's it!

The problem with things like the Rings of Power is that they give adaptations a bad name. If you managed to get funding this would be incredible to watch. If you manage to get the script as tight as your story and dont slip up with costumes, cgi e.t.c it POTENTIALLY could the P.J equivalent of the second age (that is possibly the highest compliment you could possibly get)

A temptation to make the show about everything, but with no focus, the show will be about nothing. Prophetic words.

dude I have to go to work but you bet I'm watching this later today. I was skeptical at first when I came across you but after a few weeks of watching your vids I must say rainbow Dave, you have one of if not the best Tolkien channels around. thank you for all the lore!

@enochvaldorian2029

Жыл бұрын

Bruh he's amazing with this channel. I recommend watching his playlist videos. He goes through the entire Silmarillion in order from the making of the world clear through every story of the First Age. It's astounding stuff.

@austinjones8420

Жыл бұрын

@@enochvaldorian2029 thank you

@enochvaldorian2029

Жыл бұрын

@@austinjones8420 Yah bruh they are amazing an he goes into sooo much detail of all Tolkien's writings in them. I have rewatched them a few times. It's like 30 plus videos by now

@austinjones8420

Жыл бұрын

@@enochvaldorian2029 last night I watched his doc about Fingulfin, my new favorite elf. Nobody else goes through the same effort that Dave does with his videos

@enochvaldorian2029

Жыл бұрын

@@austinjones8420 Oh yah that one was great! You'll loooove the First Age saga's then. All on Playlists you'll figure out the order it's easy

Buddy, please, please, pretty please - make more videos about season 3, 4, 5 and if you want 6 - I won't be mad! I loved everything you have suggested man! This was so great! When the show comes out and if it's bad, I will certainly come back to this video and think of what could have been! Thank you! Only one suggestion to deepen the story and to reflect on the amazing background of the characters - I think you need to explore more the backstories and contrasts between Gil Galad and Celebrimbor. I think specifically in the case of Celebrimbor, the fact that he is Feanor's descendant plays a role in receiving Anatar's advice and in striving towards crafting something great (aspiring for something as great as the Silmarils). On the other side, Gil Galad, being from Finarfin's house, he obviously has a different attitude than those of Feanor's house. He is more cautious, he is more thoughtful and not as easily seduced by grandeur. This fits in with how you described Ost-in-Edhil under Celebrimbor. I really loved your video! Please make more! Thank you! :)

@HansHammertime

Жыл бұрын

I think that references in passing made to the past is enough to give viewers the sense that there is a greater history

You've hyped me up so much I actually thought you were talking about an actual upcoming show that I'm so looking forward to!! I can't wait for the next video in this series, it's much more exciting.

I really enjoyed how you portrayed of what should happen in each of the first 2 seasons; I’d definitely want a continuation video of the later seasons of what should happen in each. I found your channel a few weeks ago and I’m hooked for I love how you go into depth with all the details and I can listen to your videos for hours each day. Your videos definitely bring me closer to Tolkien’s work, my favorite stories, and characters ever. Thank you for all the videos and more videos the better my friend, I appreciate your dedication to telling to the best of your ability what Tolkien envisioned.

The biggest mini-series when I was growing up was James Michener’s ‘Centennial’. Everyone watched, loved, and remember it to this day. The story covered a hundred years of history, so each episode was punctuated with deaths well-earned and heartbreaking. That sort of punctuation is lost by this time compression. Stupid, short-sighted, selfish.

@otterspacetime2608

Жыл бұрын

This is *exactly* what I thought when I first heard that quote from the show-runners. Simply asinine. I love James Michenor's novels; there is no reason but laziness they could not have emulated him. The example was there. They could have made a whole new genre of multi-generational/historical fantasy show. But no. Short-sighted indeed.

@audreybailey5139

Жыл бұрын

Centennial was a great series, I remember characters and the story even after all these years. I did read the book annually for a number of years.

It will be Entertaining to watch every person on every social media site lose their minds over what could have been and then what we get. I am not surprised when people that do not understand the world of Arda, "as written\Edited by J.R.R. Tolkien & Son Christopher Tolkien." Try and make something of their own out of this Timeless Art.

I have just discovered your channel, and you have a new subscriber. This is so beautifully thought through and respectful. THIS is the story I would love to see visualized in a full series. Well done, good sir

@tolkienuntangled

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Wow. That storytelling you did of the imaginary first 2 seasons of YOUR RoP was absolutely amazing. I felt like I basically watched a supercuts version of it in my head. Had to sub for more!

Fantastic! That was an engaging story outline. I wish that we were getting that story. I don't understand why a time jump or two would hurt anything. I guess that they were having difficulty figuring out how to keep their short-lived characters around, such as the "harfoots" (or is that har-feet?) Personally, I would not have missed hobbits at all if they had significant elf characters. Elves are a great deal of fun.

I am so glad you are doing this, with everything going on in Amazon's thing... I was starting to get confused what is the real story that should be told. I have only listened to the Silmarillion audio book for the first time this year , just before all this madness started and really needed your untangling to be able to remember clearly the story line. And the characters. Now, I can even tell the tale of some of them directly, for friends that will probably never read it. I am truly grateful for your dedication. 🙏 I want so badly to get to the Sons of Húrin... But I feel you might need to finish this first.

@tyranitar6366

Жыл бұрын

Children of hurin is a great book. Listed to the audio book done by christopher lee. Id say the book is much darker that LOTR, very good. It is on spotify, so ypu dont have to buy it. Im about mid way through the Silmarillion myself currently, and am loving it.

@mariaangelitaanderson469

Жыл бұрын

@@tyranitar6366 I have listened to it and it is a incredibly emotional tale, heart-renching... But the untangling helps me with time lines and places so I can see how it fits in the bigger picture. The silmarillion has blown my mind, so much dark in the creation of middle earth and the LOTR seems like a simple fairytale to me now. Servival is at such a risc all the time in the beginning.

The opening is so good. There was so much potential with the time span of the second age. Such a shame they didnt have the balls to do it

"Squandered its greatest potential" ends up being a kind way of putting it. Managing to turn Galadriel into the annoying harpy she ends up being in RoP is something Morgoth himself would have thought of.

I actually found myself imagining that I was part of the story a little bit, which is a good sign, I really enjoyed it. What you came up with certainly sounds better than what they have in the can by all that we know so far.

You have shown that passion, some imagination and creativity, you can have a great show about the second age that feels like Tolkien would be proud

Wow, it's pretty amazing how bad the show fell into the traps you mentioned like the show "being about nothing" because the storylines they've laid out aren't interwoven. And those they've took your ideas and twisted them in dumb ways like having Elrond the best friends to the dwarves instead of Celebrembor and having Gil-Gaald sticking his head in the sand and rather having Galadrial warning about the impending evil. Jesu, we should all reach out to Bezos to have you reboot and write the entire show.

Funny watching this right after the season 1 finale. No idea what your budget is, but I devour these videos. You know how to tell a story for sure

I would love to hear your thoughts on how season 3 and on should go, I think you are spot on! It just confirms to me how likely it is that the writers compression of the timeline is out of lazy storytelling (at best) and that with some real love and care for the source material, the show could be truly magical. Thank you for sharing your love of Tolkien's world with us.

I miss one thing that shouldn't be hard to sneak into your *amazing* script. The fact that most all of Beleriand has on an elven timeline just disappeared in the cathaclysmic end of the War of Wrath. This should be present in the minds of elves and dwarves being left refugees after the great battle, one of the reasons for Galadriel to wander perhaps. Not a thing in every dialogue, but a part of the zeitgeist or what to call it.

@christophersmith8316

Жыл бұрын

The fact that all the great Elven centers were eventually smashed and if hidden found and smashed might well have a cultural imperative to not form these large permanent centers - which would be a kind of passive resistance to what all the main characters are trying to do.

i love this so far! i hope i dont burn out on the series, its been a joy to listen to at work

That first scene with the Peredhil twins would be so amazing

Suilad nin mellon! Your outline is wonderful, I think it would have made for an excellent series. It's amazing what you can do when you have genuine love, knowledge, and understanding of the source material. Bravo!

Wow, this was supposed to be a video I wanted to watch while doing household stuff but I just had to sit down and give it my full focus…this has been the first video in a long time that felt equal to the task of discussing Tolkien! Beautiful and thank you for this short daydream…I‘ll enjoy having a look around your channel, Here a sub and prob a lot of likes to come…thankyou

Dave your elegant, beautiful, rich, lyrical overview of how the series OUGHT to have opened, both lifts me up, and makes me want to cry, since I've been watching the unfolding catastrophe that is RoP (which just makes my head want to explode). Thank you for all the gifts you're giving everyone through your work here.

It’s funny hearing him talk about how it needs to stay focused on one or two storylines (which it should’ve), yet rings of power just keeps jumping back and forth between like 4 different stories

Watching this gives me a conflicting feeling of joy and sadness. Your rendition is so good , well thought out and respectful that it brings me joy but I feel so saddened that it's something I won't/don't see with the actual show. The passion and respect for the source material is so many leagues below what you have displayed in your version. I'm sad because I desperately want to see your version...but I won't. And that is depressing. What you set up for Galadriel's story is so perfect and beautifully done it would make viewers actually like and relate to her but sadly the show runners thought to put real world agenda ahead of everything else and make her the powerful warrior instead of mentioning AT ALL that she is even married let alone a mother. Just so they can have her almost entering a "shipping" situation with Halbrand. Also...you show the respect of language which is true to the core of Tolkien...which this show has zero care to even bother with....at all. But I promise I am doing my part in sharing your channel as much as I can so that others can see what could have been but also to see your perfectly laid out videos of the books, stories and characters within them. You, rainbow Dave are a true scholar of Tolkien.

@tolkienuntangled

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much! I'm really glad you enjoyed this video.

Not only am I entirely in love with this beautiful concept of what RoP could have been, the scene with Elrond and Elros is literally making my heart break in the same beautiful way that Tolkien's works always do. The only thing I've mentally added is that the scene takes place at night with Eärendil's star in the sky, with Elros potentially even saying "goodbye dad" in elvish 🥹😭

@StarlitSeafoam

7 ай бұрын

😭😭😭😭 That's beautiful

I think you skipped one important event: when Sauron captured Celebrimbor and tortured him to death, but he refused to reveal the locations of the Elven rings. That was redeeming moment for Celebrimbor and it shouldn't be overlooked. Otherwise great storyline.

@tolkienuntangled

Жыл бұрын

Good point!

Wow Iove these so much. I'd love it if you expanded it even more, though I appreciate the effort that would require. Still, I love to see an episode by episode version, especially with a couple of edits you mention in the later vids such as changing Halbrand's name etc. Anyway, absolutely incredible work. Thanks so much as it's an absolute pleasure every time I go through these. Hopefully one day we could see it onscreen.

I just got through your idea for an opening scene and I'm so god damn moved, I can picture it so clearly, that would have been so AMAZING, I am losing my mind! god what i wouldn't give to see this on screen

Great story, this also engages with the lifespan of elves and humans; the RoP should have a focus on the gift of men which is not present in any material. The show is its own hack of LOTR pushing mystery boxes and rememberBerries.

That was incredible and everything I wanted The Rings of Power to be. That opening scene was so powerful and flawlessly set the tone. Please do season 3, 4, and 5!

I would love to see a continuation of this video idea - also don’t apologise the long videos are lovely

You deserve a gold medal for the "Pic unrelated" moment before you name Gilgalad. Great plan for the show. I don't know how it could be better. Subscribed.

This is so heartfelt and well thought out I can imagine this must have taken you a long time to create. This is quality content creation and I loved listening to it. Thanks for doing this! The Tolkien community is in upheaval right now and this reminded me of why I was a part of it to begin with ❤️

@tolkienuntangled

Жыл бұрын

I'm really glad you enjoyed it.

Damn, the part about Elrond at Elros' deathbed got the waterworks flowing, my friend. I'm sitting here and sniffling while looking up at the ceiling and fanning my eyes. I wish you had been the one to write, produce and run this series. You would have done it right. You would have done a better job than Peter Jackson, and that's saying something because despite it's faults, his LotR adaptation is probably about as good as adaptations get from what I've seen - and I'm an '80's kid, I remember the animations, lol.

@mastinbarry8749

Жыл бұрын

That first scene is positively brilliant. It even sounded like Tolkien.

I wish you were writing this series, I truly, truly do. I've had to pause to write this comment right at the start of your Season 1 because I'm already tearing up at just the imagery of the old king and youthful man... there's 100x more heart in this opening than there is in the whole of TROP's pilot. Those who know will know. Those who don't will watch the series and look back at that beginning later on, and it will urge them to watch again. You've hit the central theme so perfectly. It really needs to be that strong throughline threading together each Season. I wish I could see THIS story.

I've said it before, and I'll repeat yet again. Best Tolkien channel on YT by far. Btw. I've commented that I think the show looks like a generic fantasy show, and not a Tolkien show. And the response I always get is something like "well no shit, Tolkien basically made generic fantasy", which I find so utterly ignorant and so sad. It's like saying Metallica is generic thrash metal because of the countless Metallica copy cats that watered down and made the genre completely lifeless and boring. That doesn't mean Metallica is generic thrash. I find it very unfair to project the imitators on the originals.

@FreedomAndPeaceOnly

Жыл бұрын

As an demonized straight white male who cringes at the term LGBT I must say... this is indeed a very good Tolkien channel which surprised me greatly. I am not used to professionalism behind anything that shows the rainbow even most briefly. Definitely a _"Hope in Humanity"_ restored moment. 😉

You get it. The long timespans fits perfectly with the theme of death and deathlessness. Could still have human characters, characters that the audience likes and feels sad when they die. Having witnessesed multiple deaths of beloved characters, whilst the Elves live on, in terms of the audience, alot of the work to lead up to the fall of Numenor would be accomplished.

Your beginning is so insightful. I love the focus on death. I totally agree with your perspective on the timeline. I think it is so important to the legendarium and leaning into it makes things better in every way.

As someone who read the "main" Tolkien books (LotR & Hobbit) as a kid, and a few times beyond, didn't do much lore diving at all before watching the RoP, has been deep diving into the lore since, and then found your channel and this video today: Hearing your intro gave me that exact bittersweet feeling you said you were going for. Hearing you say that we should only see Numenor that one time in the first 2 seasons make me choke laughing. (definitely while wishing it had been so T-T)

Wow, just wow, depressing that this is infiitely better then anything that we have been showed. I want this made, it's intruiging and the deathless theme is such a no brainer yet vital as the core anchor of everything, the opening scene setting up the fear of death which you need to feel.

I’m actually mad. No way are we going to get anything as good, faithful and respectful as this

this video was so great and so awesome that one hour felt like 25 minutes. i was kinda asleep when i started listening to it but i swear i didn't even blink! i was so so invested in this video, how i wish we could have a perfectly written show like this. amazing video really!

I loved this video, I didn't want it to end, I was basically recreating everything you were saying in my mind, wow!

This video needs and deserves hundreds of thousands of views, a plot out of passion.

Brilliant! How I wish the ROP had the good sense to honour and respect Tolkien's work the way you so wonderfully demonstrated it could easily have been done. A shame really that they felt it more important to show a story that Tolkien never wrote.

Wow that was really, really good! I love how you have kept everything important in, had a few necessary tweaks and even thought of a hero that can give us action pieces (which would be de rigeur for any series these days). Absolutely love your take in Galadriel. Would have you in charge of recasting too though because some of the photos of the actors really hurt!!

@maryeckel9682

Жыл бұрын

The only Elf who looks Elvish to me is Adar, the corrupted one. The young lady playing Galadriel is pretty and intense, but quite petite. That wouldn't be insurmountable if she had a better Galadriel to play. Viggo Mortensen isn't tall, but they made him look tall by cinema tricks.

Thank you so much for your wonderful outline of how the story of the Second Age could and indeed should have been told. Please do continue with this series.

I will be really honest here. This modest and humble man is taking all the necessary time to research Tolkien's work. He is not trying to cause controversy and/or grief to anyone. He is probably one of the more knowledgeable and dedicated fans of Tolkien works and still he is the least knows with the least subscribers and views. Bottom line is, our society is driven by drama and grief not passion and wisdom. If you wanna be rich, you have to be a bitch ?

This is such a great outline of what should be happening on this show. Bravo!

Loved every second of it! My only regret is not being able to hear more details about your take on this story. From one Tolkien fan to another, thank you for providing me with this head canon!

Please make more of this series, good sir. This is exactly what I would want out of a series like this. All the characters' arcs that you tool us through bought me to the brink of tears. THIS is what adapting Tolkien looks like!

Wow they should have really consulted with you. This video is more interesting than what Amazon has.

I’m so sad for what could have been! I wish the Amazon series could be half this good. Well done, Rainbow Dave.

Well designed and thought out as always, I love your channel! This video is more engaging than the entire first season of the TV show :)

Hey I absolutely adored your version.💕 and I was wondering if you would ever do a episode analysis where you would lay out each episode and what happens? Cuz I did love it. it was just hard to, rap my head around what it would look like in a proper season format. 🙏💕

@The_One7117

Ай бұрын

Kinda like a script?