I'm a little more reserved in my reaction to the finale... mostly like it with some serious reservations about how they're handling some things and some disappointment about what it seems we won't get, but a lot of things about the show were so well done, and I'm glad it left us at a point without too many mysteries. Suspense about what will happen yes, but not mysteries about who people are or what objects are.
That was a very satisfying finale. No disappointment. The character progression and the ties connecting characters and relationships through to the lotr were so well done. The theme of choice was central to the whole episode too, which was very true to the spirit of Tolkien. Best episode of the series so far to wrap up season 1.
__________________
"If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?"
I definitely enjoyed the finale, although the editing in that battle between the Harfoots and the 3 witches was a bit messy. A bit concerned at some of the plot holes that have seemingly been created by the big reveal. I’d like to think this twist was their plan all along though, and there is an explanation for Halbrand’s actions earlier in the season- or do we just chalk it up to Halbrand did everything he did to lead to the forging of the rings?
And for those more familiar with the history of things, can Saruman and Radagast definitively be ruled out as the true identity of the wizard? The too obvious suggestion that it is Gandalf has me wondering if a twist is yet to come and it ends up being one of the other two? Although Saruman’s FOTR line of “your love of the half-lings” doesn’t support this, and Radagast seems to only love animals?
Anyway, love the series. Here comes a probable 1-2 year wait though.
Last edited by Flabbibulin; 10-15-2022 at 08:06 AM.
I definitely enjoyed the finale, although the editing in that battle between the Harfoots and the 3 witches was a bit messy. A bit concerned at some of the plot holes that have seemingly been created by the big reveal. I’d think to think this twist was their plan all along though, and there is an explanation for Halbrand’s actions earlier in the season- or do we just chalk it up to Halbrand did everything he did to lead to the forging of the rings?
And for those more familiar with the history of things, can Saruman and Radagast definitively be ruled out as the true identity of the wizard? The too obvious suggestion that it is Gandalf has me wondering if a twist is yet to come and it ends up being one of the other two? Although Saruman’s FOTR line of “your love of the half-lings” doesn’t support this, and Radagast seems to only love animals?
Anyway, love the series. Here comes a probable 1-2 year wait though.
I'm assuming he's Gandalf. The relationship with the hobbits is just too good a fit, not to mention casting someone who looks so like Gandalf from the movies.
__________________
"If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?"
I definitely enjoyed the finale, although the editing in that battle between the Harfoots and the 3 witches was a bit messy. A bit concerned at some of the plot holes that have seemingly been created by the big reveal. I’d think to think this twist was their plan all along though, and there is an explanation for Halbrand’s actions earlier in the season- or do we just chalk it up to Halbrand did everything he did to lead to the forging of the rings?
And for those more familiar with the history of things, can Saruman and Radagast definitively be ruled out as the true identity of the wizard? The too obvious suggestion that it is Gandalf has me wondering if a twist is yet to come and it ends up being one of the other two? Although Saruman’s FOTR line of “your love of the half-lings” doesn’t support this, and Radagast seems to only love animals?
Anyway, love the series. Here comes a probable 1-2 year wait though.
That last scene with him was the clincher, it's definitely Gandalf unless they are really trying to mislead. Every sentence he said was Gandalf-like. Watch it again with that in mind.
The Following User Says Thank You to Fuzz For This Useful Post:
I don't think it's Gandalf. But a Wheel of Time like amalgamation of Saruman and the Blueses.
Both the Blues and Saruman went in the far east during the 2nd age in tolkeins lore building.
It'd be super weird if it was Gandalf IMO. But meh. I like the show for what it is. Just like the Wheel of Time. They're aren't biblical but take parts to make something work on screen.
__________________ "Everybody's so desperate to look smart that nobody is having fun anymore" -Jackie Redmond
It would be fun if he's not Gandalf, but it's also cool if they're adding to the depth of Gandalf's character in the same way that they have with Galadriel and Elrond, making them more complex and rich for viewers who only know them from the lotr movies. Whether he's Gandalf or not, the journey to the east with him and Nori is something to look forward to. Hopefully we get to see more whole new environments in the East. With the visual effects quality they've shown so far it could be quite fun.
__________________
"If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?"
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to JohnnyB For This Useful Post:
The actual Sauron reveal was extremely well-done, especially as the sequence on the raft and then close-cuts between the two. Even as someone who didn't want Halbrand to be Sauron, I still loved watching it all unfold.
I'm looking forward to rewatching the season, but I'm skeptical about how Halbrand's story and actions will hold up in retrospect. It's either a ridiculously circuitous scheme, or it's Sauron just floating through on fate and chance, which is a problematic interpretation of both Sauron as well as Tolkien's ideas of fate. I really hope that the next season gives more insight into what Sauron was doing prior to ending up on the raft. I'm still hoping that we learn that he was exerting influence in Lindon and Eregion prior to showing up there in episode 8.
I am disappointed that the part of the story I was most looking forward to (Annatar's seduction of the elves and how that plays out in the forging of the rings) was condensed into a half episode. I wanted a good half-season of that. Still, there's so much story left to tell I'm sure they'll find other good uses for that screen time.
Sadoc's death was perfect. It gave the Harfoots a nice arc for the season, given how cutthroat they seemed early on, and the acceptance of death (especially contrasted with the Numenorean reaction to their king's death) is a perfect use of that theme. I've read some opinions elsewhere that people would like more death in the show to increase the stakes, but Tolkien has been really careful in how he uses death as a theme.
I think the wizard is unquestionably who the Maiar we'll come to know as Gandalf, though within the show we might only learn of him as Olorin, since Gandalf is the name of his third-age incarnation. Here's hoping that when he goes east he finds the blue wizards who are already established in the second age by some Tolkien accounts. I'm excited that it seems we get to see Rhun, which is a land only very loosely described in Tolkien's writing but has lots of potential.
I really like how they're handling Miriel and Numenor. This is going to be such an epic plot line going forward.
Overall I'm super-happy with this season despite the couple plot and theme concerns.
I'm surprised at all the love for the finale. I guess if you liked the garbage before this episode then you will probably love this one.
Why are you here then? Hate watching 8 hours of a TV series seems like a ridiculous waste of time if you're not having any fun. Maybe it's time to move on and find something more to your liking?
People do this with the Star Trek and Star Wars shows as well, and it drives me nuts. Maybe I'm just more easily entertained as I get older, but I'll never understand this constant need these days to hate-watch and nitpick a show or movie to the point where it sucks all the enjoyment out of everything.
I have a lot of mixed bag type of emotions on the whole show and the finale. I'm disappointed Halbrand is Sauron. Then I felt the reveal happened too soon. Sauron spent centuries befriending the Elves and teaching them before he was found out. And if Halbrand is Sauron, why couldn't he, in the confusion and heat of battle, just simply NOT save Elendil from death? Really woulda helped in the world domination scheming.
If meteor man is Gandalf, that's honestly kinda boring. I was really hoping blue wizard.
I kinda liken this season to The Force Awakens where it was an OK movie on its own and certainly set up the next iteration to be awesome. But we all know how that went, so we'll see.
