THE RINGS OF POWER VS HOUSE OF THE DRAGON
I have never read any literary books from J. R. R. Tolkien nor George R.R. Martin (both gentlemen with 2 X "R."s in they names hhmmm), and have digested both stories via live action adaptations in film and television, and do not personally possess any semblance of "comparisons" for the source materials for LORD OF THE RINGS and GAME OF THRONES, and have enjoyed them for what I'd seen and heard on the screens in front of me, silver screen and plasma.
And while I've devoured the LOTR-trilogy ("Two Towers" remain a firm favourite rewatched constantly on reruns on the telly), I've barely touched "The Hobbit" trilogy beyond the trailers. I was no doubt a tourist to Middle-earth, and went on my merry when something else glistened from beyond the horizon.
I came late to the Game of Thrones-series, having only invested time from Season 7 to the finale, and learnt everything else before that via compilation and "best of" fan-made YouTube videos. My only quarrel with the series thus far is the sheer lack of lighting in the final season, learning the rest of the "faults" via social commentary.
And that was that. There never was a a need for me to seek beyond what I saw and experienced.
And now we have PREQUELS for BOTH properties, streaming to us in our very own homes.
"Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness.
Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of NĂºmenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone."
The visual splendour was immediately impressive and nigh epic for a "television series", comparable to a silver screen, methinks! I wonder for how long I am able to relish and enjoy said splendour, without it overshadowing the story? Or enhance it?
One aspect of this series I have enjoyed thus far, are the unfamiliar actors (at least to my untrained eyes) donning the fantasy roles - which were adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien’s lore, but as mentioned ed before, is unbeknownst to me, hence I am able to digest the characters as presented.
A while lot of commentary I've read on Twitter thus far was been "racially-themed debates", particularly of the Harfoots - which is the equivalent of "Hobbits" that I know of (from the cinematic incarnations I've watched), and be it "Harfoot" or "Hobbits", I liked neither, so the color of their skin phases me naught.
If the first two episodes were to set the tone and (re)introduce the world and peoples (already my initial thoughts were: "Children are evil and lead to civilians' downfall"), then it remains to be seen if the fantasy elements in subsequent episodes would engage me beyond "contempt for errant children".
If anyone were to make me stay longer, it would be the character of Galadriel, with her conviction stronger than anyone of the misguided I have witnessed thus far on screen. "Oh, they are human too" is not strong enough a schtick to make me stay. I am watching a "fantasy series", not mortal beings in "fancy cosplay".
"The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" premiered September 2nd, 2022, on (Amazon) Prime Video. Season 1 will consist of 8 (weekly) episodes. I was initially sold on Galadriel's words in the trailer: "I have a tempest in me...!",. And then shuddered when she voice-over in the first episode: "We hunt" with just conviction.
As of this post-publication, the first episode of "House of the Dragon" (official trailer seen below) has since aired "August 21st" on HBO Max. The first season will consist of ten (weekly) episodes.
"The reign of House Targaryen begins: House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones, is here. Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series, which is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, tells the story of House Targaryen." (hbo.com/house-of-the-dragon)
I reckon I do not necessarily have "GoT"-fatigue, and am able to digest a decent bit without the immediate burden of media history. Although "online feedback of tv series fatigue" however, continues to plague my socials timelines, which I continue to avoid, as I want to experience the series for myself.
I am here for the cruelty and bloodshed, which for the first two episode were absent of (I've seen teasers of a rewarding Ep3 tho). Certain names and titles are somewhat familiar though, and that recognition served to interest me a lot more than the politics have embedded themselves into the show thus far, and which I am not a fan of.
The opening theme of GoT continues to play during opening credits of HoD, so it feels a literal "spin-off", than what would be a "300 years prequel". That familiarity still served to engage me.
The opulence of the gilded golden twilight seen in Rings of Power is mirrored by the fogged grey air of dawn in House of the Dragon, before sunlight pierces thru the veil of the moor, which proved to be a beautiful sight too, I admit. Besides the existence of dragons, everything else might pass off as stylish "medieval knights" on muddied fields of neglect and tears (something which I used to enjoy, tbh).
One thing which put me off a smidgen, was seeing somewhat familiar faces populate the cast, chief of which was Matt Smith (no offence) and a few other gentlemen who looked to have wandered off from somewhere into this cosplay environment. I found it hard not to be judgmental and have a slight difficulty getting into their world.
Fantasy vs Sex
Magics vs Morals
Beasts vs Incest
At least these were what I had expected to be experiencing, before I watched the shows, and I am slightly disappointed thus far. The faux scandals are mild, the spirit is meek. "Under-aged marriage" versus "disregarding friendships" seemed quite unbalanced, innit?
At the end of the day, they are both "swords and sandals" properties to me, but with heightened fantasy and fiction, beyond human history, but for the imaginations they showcase us. Out of sheer curiosity I have partaketh of the first two episodes of each series, and have somewhat decided to continue to invest my time in finding out what unfolds, as long as it'll keep me interested. And as importanly, this is the perfect jump on opportunity for me, to get in on the story and action, without the urden of what has gone on before these, IMHO. I want to enjoy them, and not need to have a "Degree In Lore History" to be judged to be able to do so.
The timing is perfect as well, as two of my regular/weekly KDRAMAs have concluded their run, and my attention needs to be somewhere .... Unless of course there are new KDRAMAs coming in to grab at my attention, like "IF YOU WISH UPON ME" has...
And I cannot hep but wonder how either properties will do in the TOYS aspect this tie around? I might possibly own a 1/6 Legolas and Aragon I've wanted to kit bash but never did (I even had a scaled WW2 horse from DML ready to kit bash too) ... and closest I have to GoT figures from Threezero was blogging about the on TOYSREVIL, but to be honest, al that is based on my own tragic ability to afford toys these drydrydays... but wonder if any characters'll stand put from both stories, that folks in the art toy scene want to customise anything out of them...? That's when I know at least there'll be some legs on them characters... LOL
(Partial of the above text was first published on TOYSREVIL in late August 2022).
And while I've devoured the LOTR-trilogy ("Two Towers" remain a firm favourite rewatched constantly on reruns on the telly), I've barely touched "The Hobbit" trilogy beyond the trailers. I was no doubt a tourist to Middle-earth, and went on my merry when something else glistened from beyond the horizon.
I came late to the Game of Thrones-series, having only invested time from Season 7 to the finale, and learnt everything else before that via compilation and "best of" fan-made YouTube videos. My only quarrel with the series thus far is the sheer lack of lighting in the final season, learning the rest of the "faults" via social commentary.
And that was that. There never was a a need for me to seek beyond what I saw and experienced.
And now we have PREQUELS for BOTH properties, streaming to us in our very own homes.
"Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness.
Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of NĂºmenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone."
The visual splendour was immediately impressive and nigh epic for a "television series", comparable to a silver screen, methinks! I wonder for how long I am able to relish and enjoy said splendour, without it overshadowing the story? Or enhance it?
One aspect of this series I have enjoyed thus far, are the unfamiliar actors (at least to my untrained eyes) donning the fantasy roles - which were adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien’s lore, but as mentioned ed before, is unbeknownst to me, hence I am able to digest the characters as presented.
A while lot of commentary I've read on Twitter thus far was been "racially-themed debates", particularly of the Harfoots - which is the equivalent of "Hobbits" that I know of (from the cinematic incarnations I've watched), and be it "Harfoot" or "Hobbits", I liked neither, so the color of their skin phases me naught.
If the first two episodes were to set the tone and (re)introduce the world and peoples (already my initial thoughts were: "Children are evil and lead to civilians' downfall"), then it remains to be seen if the fantasy elements in subsequent episodes would engage me beyond "contempt for errant children".
If anyone were to make me stay longer, it would be the character of Galadriel, with her conviction stronger than anyone of the misguided I have witnessed thus far on screen. "Oh, they are human too" is not strong enough a schtick to make me stay. I am watching a "fantasy series", not mortal beings in "fancy cosplay".
"The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" premiered September 2nd, 2022, on (Amazon) Prime Video. Season 1 will consist of 8 (weekly) episodes. I was initially sold on Galadriel's words in the trailer: "I have a tempest in me...!",. And then shuddered when she voice-over in the first episode: "We hunt" with just conviction.
As of this post-publication, the first episode of "House of the Dragon" (official trailer seen below) has since aired "August 21st" on HBO Max. The first season will consist of ten (weekly) episodes.
"The reign of House Targaryen begins: House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones, is here. Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series, which is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, tells the story of House Targaryen." (hbo.com/house-of-the-dragon)
I reckon I do not necessarily have "GoT"-fatigue, and am able to digest a decent bit without the immediate burden of media history. Although "online feedback of tv series fatigue" however, continues to plague my socials timelines, which I continue to avoid, as I want to experience the series for myself.
I am here for the cruelty and bloodshed, which for the first two episode were absent of (I've seen teasers of a rewarding Ep3 tho). Certain names and titles are somewhat familiar though, and that recognition served to interest me a lot more than the politics have embedded themselves into the show thus far, and which I am not a fan of.
The opening theme of GoT continues to play during opening credits of HoD, so it feels a literal "spin-off", than what would be a "300 years prequel". That familiarity still served to engage me.
The opulence of the gilded golden twilight seen in Rings of Power is mirrored by the fogged grey air of dawn in House of the Dragon, before sunlight pierces thru the veil of the moor, which proved to be a beautiful sight too, I admit. Besides the existence of dragons, everything else might pass off as stylish "medieval knights" on muddied fields of neglect and tears (something which I used to enjoy, tbh).
One thing which put me off a smidgen, was seeing somewhat familiar faces populate the cast, chief of which was Matt Smith (no offence) and a few other gentlemen who looked to have wandered off from somewhere into this cosplay environment. I found it hard not to be judgmental and have a slight difficulty getting into their world.
Fantasy vs Sex
Magics vs Morals
Beasts vs Incest
At least these were what I had expected to be experiencing, before I watched the shows, and I am slightly disappointed thus far. The faux scandals are mild, the spirit is meek. "Under-aged marriage" versus "disregarding friendships" seemed quite unbalanced, innit?
At the end of the day, they are both "swords and sandals" properties to me, but with heightened fantasy and fiction, beyond human history, but for the imaginations they showcase us. Out of sheer curiosity I have partaketh of the first two episodes of each series, and have somewhat decided to continue to invest my time in finding out what unfolds, as long as it'll keep me interested. And as importanly, this is the perfect jump on opportunity for me, to get in on the story and action, without the urden of what has gone on before these, IMHO. I want to enjoy them, and not need to have a "Degree In Lore History" to be judged to be able to do so.
The timing is perfect as well, as two of my regular/weekly KDRAMAs have concluded their run, and my attention needs to be somewhere .... Unless of course there are new KDRAMAs coming in to grab at my attention, like "IF YOU WISH UPON ME" has...
And I cannot hep but wonder how either properties will do in the TOYS aspect this tie around? I might possibly own a 1/6 Legolas and Aragon I've wanted to kit bash but never did (I even had a scaled WW2 horse from DML ready to kit bash too) ... and closest I have to GoT figures from Threezero was blogging about the on TOYSREVIL, but to be honest, al that is based on my own tragic ability to afford toys these drydrydays... but wonder if any characters'll stand put from both stories, that folks in the art toy scene want to customise anything out of them...? That's when I know at least there'll be some legs on them characters... LOL
(Partial of the above text was first published on TOYSREVIL in late August 2022).
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