Rings of Power S1E1

It's novel to see Galadriel as merely another elf. In the next age, she's one of just a few great elves, but in this age, she and Elrond are still striving among many peers. They must be the ones with the courage to stick around and defend Middle Earth when all others retreat.

Elrond is so odd looking, but proper, in that he has to evolve into Hugo Weaving. Galadriel as well is cast as a precursor to Cate Blanchett. Each operates effectively, if a little too seriously. All in all I am pleased that we're dealing with these two familiar and admirable characters, and I'm pleased how they're portrayed so far.

DEI reigns, and I don't mind, other than it feels a little detached from Tolkien, for better or worse. Can't complain about an attempt to compensate for historical suppression though, whatever the risk of overcompensation. I don't think there's much risk of that so far. Just enough compensation that it's worth calling out. I don't like seeing the efforts of the artist in the art, thus I don't like seeing artistically cheap diversity efforts, but that's the thing, I'm not seeing the artist in the art here, I'm seeing the business in the product. It's not really art at all.

The ending was a thrill, akin to the final minutes of S1 of GoT. You got to imagine who's buried in the fiery crater, and it's elation. And it's full of questions, like that first glimpse of Dany and her dragons rising from the ashes.

Gil-Galad doesn't get the honor I'd expect! And Elrond isn't wholly noble, similar to Jackson's LotR. I think they intentionally harmonized with Jackson in a few areas. I'm glad. It is interesting how much conflict we see among elves, though, these nearly flawless creatures.

This episode was better than expected. I thought it would be pure Wonder Bread but it had some real grain, and some nice jam on top. The visuals were strong, if not too interesting. The characters were about what you'd expect. I mean they can't go full GoT -- Tolkien was YA-oriented after all -- so some blend of cheese and grandeur is expected.

Are these folks hobbits? Pre-hobbits? Hobo erectus?

I enjoyed the moment the meteor hit and Galadriel simultaneously took her plunge. You were thinking the meteor was evil, but alas, evil is revealing itself just as, not coincidentally, a savior is sent (a bit too Superman perhaps) and as Galadriel can no longer ignore the pull. What's cool about the simultaneity is Galadriel and presumably Gandalf strike out toward Middle Earth at the same moment, our dual saviors of the Third Age, in total sync. I love that they're secret friends, though you wonder if Rings of Power will take the romantic angle of the Hobbit movies.

Similarities to House of the Dragon: lead actor who almost looks like probably the same person (the Targaryens really are the Eldar right); casting Black in races their predecessors did not; electing a woman-driven plot out of many possibilities; same start year; similar shoes to fill. GoT was "Sopranos in Middle Earth", and HoD was the prequel; now RoP is HoD in Middle Earth, and The Many Saints of Newark is the prequel (?).

I think I will only let myself do RoP if I exercise every time all the whiles, and write about every episode.