The Rings of Power Already Repeating Game of Thrones Season 8 Mistake
Writing fantasy is never an easy thing to do. Although the allure of a world where anything is possible may sound like an advantage, in actual fact this can become quite the handicap if the right amount of restraint is not considered.
No fantasy fan will know a better example of this than from the eighth and final season of Game of Thrones. After receiving a record-breaking reception from fans, and highly positive reviews across its seasons, the show started to come apart at the seams once it surpassed the books. Unfortunately, this may now become the fate of one of the latest fantasy-inspired shows to hit our screens, The Rings of Power.
As it approaches the final episode of its first season, The Rings of Power's flaws begin to show increasingly clearer. Throughout the episodes, we have been introduced to the series' full assortment of characters, as they are intertwined within the events of this original story; which will eventually lead to the forging of the rings. However, with no source material to base the story on directly, writers of the show are left to navigate this Tolkien-inspired prequel alone. Already demonstrating some gaps in the logic of a plot made to fit into the very specific version of events written in the novels. Naturally, the series has begun to take several creative liberties, which is instead making the show less credible and more inconceivable.
Take the battle of the orcs at the village of Tirharad, shown throughout episode 6. The arrival of Galadriel and the Númenóreans was presented as perfect timing, yet instead comes off as potentially lazy writing. How can the series continue to build tension with its audience if we expect an army to miraculously appear to save the day at any moment?
This is not the only way in which the show has overused its creative licence. Many fans felt angry at the RoP's adaptation of certain Tolkien-specific details. Including the representation of the Harfoots, the lack of bearded Dwarves, Elves with short hair, and many more. Galadriel's personality is clearly very different from the book. And the backstory of Mithril saving the Elves of Middle-Earth, including such an early introduction of a Balrog has been called 'absurd' by some fans.
Such dissimilarities can't help but be compared to the original plot of season eight of Game of Thrones, written by David Benioff and DB Weiss. Although very good at adapting the well-received George R.R. Martin novels to the screen, fans found their own interpretation of how the story continued less than fulfilling. What's more, is that many of the season's largest criticisms match the same mistakes being made by the Rings of Power now. Characters whose arcs and development had spanned several seasons fell apart within a matter of episodes.
Personalities of the likes of Cersei Lannister, almost felt like they were the actions of an entirely different character. Others such as Daenerys turned psychotic practically overnight. Not too different from the vast change in Galadriel we see from her former personality in the LoTR books.
The final GoT season also saw events take place simply to serve the ending chosen by its writers, and not an ending to serve its characters. Many fans criticised how threats that had been building across the season seemed to be defeated so easily. Arya killing the Night King for example made many viewers label the story as underwhelming. Rhaegal the Dragon was also another victim of easy convenience in the final episodes. Was the attack from Euron Greyjoy's fleet a feat of amazing luck or a circumstance of disbelief?
These missteps now are significant warnings to the likes of shows such as RoP. If a series as successful as GoT can fall from grace because it did not respect the accuracy, continuity, or even plausibility of its storyline, then the same can happen to other series as well. RoP may just be another Tolkien-inspired fantasy series, but it should not take for granted the legitimacy of its created universe. Fans are very familiar with the likes of Middle-Earth, and they will not stand for another 'season 8' happening to a franchise they have such high respect for.