Time to get to know the Escape Velocity Collection’s curators! How? By asking them the questions that really matter! Let’s see what our curators have to say…
This week’s question is:
What did you think of the first episode of The Rings of Power?
My verdict of the first episode is that it is hit and miss, but more hit than miss and certainly a whole lot better than what I was expecting based on the teaser we’d seen.
Some of the hits: the gorgeous establishing shots and most of the environments, Galadriel, cloak pins, the traveling via the map. Some misses: Elven haircuts, weapons that go SCHWIIINGGG at the merest touch, my god what cardboard armour are they wearing at that ceremony, that one human village (just because they’re not elves doesn’t have to mean they don’t know how to build a fence straight, how to sow clothes that fit, or how to shave).
I’ve come to the conclusion that I should just treat this as a really high budget fan fiction set in Tolkien’s world and not expect them to stick to established canon too much and so far that’s helping a lot. Pet peeves aside, I’m looking forward to watching the rest of it and seeing where they’ll take this!
Peter
Jop
Despite my low expectations, I actually really enjoyed it. In fact, I’m even excited to watch the rest!
The writing was not exceptional, and my inner Tolkien purist certainly frowned at certain lore decisions within the story. All in all, however, these imperfections didn’t bother me that much.
I have to conclude that I might simply be a basic Middle-Earth fangirl. They gave me a glimpse of ents, unnecessarily eloquent elves and beautiful landscapes, and I was just happy to be back in Tolkien’s wonderful world.
The viewing experience might have played a part in it, because it turned out we magically all fit exactly on Peter’s couch, but I was entertained. The pace was slow, but not in a nothing-is-happening kind of way and the music supports the atmosphere of the scenes. Also, we have a badass female protagonist.
I actually was disappointed we couldn’t watch the second episode directly after the first one. Exited to see where the series is headed.
Jasmijn
Lotte
I didn’t have very high expectations of this, but also I’m not some sort of Tolkien purist, so the bar wasn’t too high for me.
I definitely enjoyed the first episode! I’ve grown a little bit tired of elves and their whole vibe, so everytime an elf said something pretentious my brain instantly went to that video of Fantasy High dunking on elves for twenty minutes . Not sure if it would have bothered me that much if that video didn’t live front and center in my brain, but I really noticed it during this first episode.
I have to agree with Jop that it’s just really nice to be back in a world that inspired me so much as a child. I, for one, can’t wait to see the rest of the show.
Going in I fully expected to be disappointed, but like my fellow curators I was pleasantly surprised! I liked that the pacing was a lot slower than most major tv-shows in this genre. It did not throw you into the middle of some flashy, attention grabbing actions scene, but instead it took its time and followed its own pace. I’m very excited to see where it will take us!
Robin
Key
I was positively surprised by the real LOTR-vibes. Of course one can nitpick, but I try to look past the nostalgia and see a lot of potential. I am excited for the rest!
That’s it: another soul-searching question answered!
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