[jammies]

Not at all a fan. The number of changes to Tolkien's history and intent are already far too high, I understand it's an adaptation, but it's like someone did a series about WWII where it starts with Hitler invading the Moon and devolves from there.

I don't care about casting choices, I care that this is - so far - utterly disconnected from Middle-Earth as imagined and set down. Plus I cringe at the imbecility of the ocean scenes, orcs digging tunnels to get at villages (like this is somehow a good idea compared to, you know, just walking there), and all the other scenes that make zero logical and emotional sense.

How hard can it be to just stay within the rules of the fictional world you set the story in? What is interesting about random crap just happening because it looks cool as opposed to postulating certain differences from our reality and then exploring what follows from those differences?

Sheer butchery.