If at times boring. Look, I get that the Tolkien estate did not grant all of the rights to the LOTR lore and they had to use what was available (as far as I've heard, the appendices in the end of LOTR books, which is... yeah... I know), and perhaps they should have re-thought everything. But judging this as an interpretation or fan-fiction as a whole. I'd say its off to a good start.
The plot: so Morgot was defeated by the ancient Elven Lords, but his servant, Sauron, killed off one of the main protagonists (Galadriele) brother and Galadriel vowed to destroy Sauron even if it takes her forever. So, flash-forward a couple of thousand years (I'm asuming) in to the future, and we see Galadriele and company travelling the frozen lands in search for the remnants of Sauron. However, her company is not ecstatic, because the High King Gil-Galad had ordered to return many months ago. So, even when they find traces of Sauron's influence, Galadriele is forced to return wherein Gil-Galad offers her a 'boon': passage to Valinor (the home-land of the elves), wherein she would dwell for all eternity in piece. But, being the main protagonist that she is, in the end, she refuses to cross realms and jumps ship.
Other plot introduces the viewers to Harfoots (ancestors of Hobbits). The two main protagonists of them, Nori and Poppy are like quasi-Frodo and Sam. One wants to go on adventures, and the other, because she is her friend, reluctantly accompanies her (I'd wager in the later episodes), because she's afraid of her well-being.
Also, there is another plot brewing, which, I'd assume will connect with Galadriele's search for Sauron. There's an elf called Arondir, who is a member of a watch group tasked to keep an eye on the... I'd guess decendants of the Numenorians who followed Morgot? Anyways, over the years, he ends up fancying a human woman (so, a possible love-plot line), but is soon introduced with a possible dark evil influence plot-line in the terms of something is poisoning the land from the East. So, he sets off to investigate.
And, there's a fourth plot-line wherein Gil-Galad tasks Elrond to aid Lord Celebrimbor in his task of constructing a forge.
Are they all following the books to a letter? From what I remember: no, to a big hell no. BUT, as a "it's own" (fan-fiction) story, it's all right. It has room for improvement, especially in the dialogue sections, because sometimes you think: "What?" For example, when Galadriele's companions say that they have exceeded the king's orders for months now, but they are still willing to go with her. But as soon as they find the mark of Sauron, they are like: "Well, no, we cannot go any further, Galadriele. The kings orders were clear. We have to go back, despite Sauron still living".
+ Locations
+ Music
+ CGI
+ Atmosphere
Overall rating of first episode: 7-8/10.
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