Beta Males of Middle-earth TAKE OVER - Rings of Power IN-DEPTH - Season 2, Ep 5, Part 3

Summary

In this video script, the reviewer expresses a lukewarm response to the portrayal of Númenor in 'The Rings of Power', criticizing the show's handling of faith, prophecies, and character development. They find the storyline unconvincing, with characters like Pharzôn and his son Kem lacking depth. The reviewer also mocks the show's dialogue, calling it 'torture' and 'convoluted'. Additionally, they touch upon the disconnect between the show's depiction of Númenor and Tolkien's lore, lamenting the missed opportunity to explore the rich history and religious aspects of the region.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The speaker is critical of the storytelling in 'The Rings of Power', finding many of the plotlines and character motivations lacking.
• 🗣️ The usurpation of the throne by Miriel is mentioned as being too quick and too easy, with no significant resistance from the people.
• 👑 The shift in the Royal Line is accepted without much fuss, which the speaker finds unrealistic and poorly executed.
• 🌊 The Numenorean storyline is described as 'meh' by the speaker, indicating a lack of interest or investment in the narrative.
• 📖 The speaker misses the co-host Michael, who is known for his deep knowledge of Tolkien's lore and his ability to remember names.
• 🎧 The podcast they are reviewing is called 'The Rings of Power' and is part of a series that also reviews 'The Hobbit' and 'Unfinished Tales'.
• 💾 The speaker encourages listeners to become members for extended content and access to a Discord community.
• 🎭 The speaker mocks the dialogue and narrative devices used in the show, such as prophecies and visions, for being contrived and lacking depth.
• 🏰 The depiction of Numenor is criticized for feeling small and lacking grandeur, despite it being an ancient and significant city.
• 🛡️ The disarmament of Miriel's loyalists is mentioned, with the speaker noting the ease with which they give up their weapons without a fight.
• 🔮 The use of the palantiri is discussed, with the speaker noting the deviation from Tolkien's original concept of them as communication devices to a more mystical, prophesying role in the series.

Q & A

What is the main complaint the speaker has about the storytelling in the Rings of Power?

The speaker feels that the storytelling in the Rings of Power is 'meh' and lacks depth, with characters making decisions that seem illogical or unmotivated, such as the easy usurpation of the throne and the lack of resistance.

What does the speaker criticize about the portrayal of Numenor in the Rings of Power?

The speaker criticizes the portrayal of Numenor for being small and lacking grandeur, despite it being an ancient and significant city. They also criticize the city's depiction as not requiring an aqueduct after supposedly being around for thousands of years.

What is the speaker's opinion on the character development in the Rings of Power?

The speaker believes that the character development in the Rings of Power is shallow and that the writers force relationships and prophecies in a way that feels unnatural and lacks emotional impact.

What is the significance of the 'paler' in the context of the Rings of Power?

In the Rings of Power, the 'paler' is a seeing stone that is used for visions and communication, similar to how the palantíri were used in the Lord of the Rings. The speaker criticizes how it is used as a cheap plot device for prophecies and visions.

What does the speaker find ridiculous about the character Kem in the Rings of Power?

The speaker finds Kem's character ridiculous because he is portrayed as a weak and ineffective leader who makes grand statements without any real power or support, yet he manages to usurp power with little resistance.

What is the speaker's view on the handling of faith and religion in the Rings of Power?

The speaker views the handling of faith and religion in the Rings of Power as shallow and thoughtless. They criticize the show for not exploring the depth of Numenorian faith and for reducing it to mere rituals and relics.

Why does the speaker believe the Numenorian storyline is not engaging?

The speaker believes the Numenorian storyline is not engaging because it lacks emotional depth, the characters' motivations are unclear, and the storyline feels disconnected from the broader world of Middle Earth.

What is the speaker's issue with the pacing of the storyline in the Rings of Power?

The speaker's issue with the pacing is that significant events, such as the usurpation of the throne, happen too quickly and without proper buildup, making them feel unimportant or unbelievable.

What does the speaker suggest as an alternative to the Rings of Power for Tolkien fans?

The speaker suggests that Tolkien fans should read 'Unfinished Tales' or listen to the podcast that goes through it, as it provides a richer and more faithful exploration of Middle Earth.

What is the speaker's opinion on the adaptation of the character Elendil in the Rings of Power?

The speaker feels that the character Elendil is not well-developed in the Rings of Power, with his actions and motivations being unclear and not resonating with the audience.

What does the speaker think about the dialogue and phrasing used in the Rings of Power?

The speaker criticizes the dialogue and phrasing in the Rings of Power as being convoluted and lacking the poetic and meaningful language that is characteristic of Tolkien's work.