emkemp

I was of divided mind going into this series. I do consider myself a Tolkien purist (I have most of the History of Middle Earth on my shelf, and recently read the Nature of Middle Earth), and instinctually cringe at the thought of deviating from the books. (And I was irked at some of the changes Peter Jackson introduced in his movies.)

But:

* You can't cover 3000+ years of history in five seasons without making changes.

* If you want to have the same human characters (and the actors who portray them) season after season, you need even more changes.

* The series must stand on it's own, without forcing viewers to read the books; and

* There are a number of gaps and inconsistencies in Tolkien's writings on events and motives. (Galadriel's history and motives in particular are a mess, so it's not clear what her "true" story even is).

The published Silmarillion (including the texts summarizing the Second and Third Ages) is based on the most complete versions of Tolkien's writings, not necessarily his most recent. When did the Sun and Moon first appear? Are Orcs descended from Elves? Was Sauron fully evil when he first collaborated with the Elves on the Rings? The answers all depend on what text you read.

So I think there is more freedom here for the show writers than many of their on-line critics acknowledge. Even more so when you consider the Second Age writings have very few scenes and dialogues between characters. We don't get to "know" Elendil, Isildur, Galadriel, or Sauron like we get to know Frodo, Sam, Aragorn, and Gandalf. Does filling in those details make them "unfaithful" to the books?

In addition, some of the deviations they clearly have made -- the importance of mithril, Galadriel's dagger and quest, the dark elf Arondir -- do have important useful payoffs in the plot. The lack of mithril gives the writers an opportunity to show how Sauron aided the Elves in Ring making in an understandable way. It also leads to Galadriel giving up her dagger and (hopefully) giving up her obsession with avenging her brother (and perhaps starting her transition to the Wise High Elf we meet in the LotR?). Arondir's appearance allowed for the casting of a damn good actor (Ismael Cruz Córdova), and exploration of an interracial (Elf-Human) relationship by an interracial set of actors (likely emotionally engaging the viewers). I think those payoffs have been worth it.

A tangent: I think the casting and acting has been excellent, the CGI beautiful, and the plot twist at the season ending clever (giving viewers a reason to watch the whole season all over again). I enjoyed it, and look forward to the next season.

No.

You misspelled "blockchain".

But the risk aversion of each suspect is not the same.

Obligatory SMBC:

https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/2011-02-17

"courts have consistently ruled that you can't be compelled to unlock your phone ... if you're invoking the 5th."

This is demonstrably false.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/08/nj-supreme-court...

It's Doom all the way down.

From the man page on http://www.mutt.org/doc/mutt.1.txt

BUGS None. Mutts have fleas, not bugs.

Completely agree, and I'm surprised more people aren't using Tweetdeck.

What could possibly go wrong?

Well, for starters, you may lose important local services.

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna39516346

Second biggest nightmare.

I think the West is reaching the same conclusion.

"But they don't publish the m2 money market stock charts anymore. Wonder why?"

Because they moved savings deposits into M1. So the old M1 and M2 charts are retired and replaced with M1SL and M2SL.

You can also buy TIPS and Series I Savings Bonds.

Do you want Orcs? Because this is how you get Orcs.

For the curious, the SCOTUS opinion on Carpenter v United States is here (PDF warning):

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/17pdf/16-402_h315.pdf

"What about the twinkie?"

Best response: "Sir, this is the unemployment line."

2020 gets worse and worse.

Block whoever called you a sheep. Problem solved.

It appears Juan RP is having some problems.

https://twitter.com/xtraemeat

Moderators: Here is the direct (non-paywalled) announcement from CDC:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-ev...

Citation needed.

OpenBSD, not NetBSD.

Plus you get a tax benefit by buying Treasuries.

"There are no mistakes when coding, just happy little opportunities to learn and improve."

Especially insulting to the man who first proposed the Big Bang, who happened to be a Catholic priest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Lema%C3%AEtre

Naturally I had to introduce Martin Luther to Eliza the Psychotherpist.

"Luther: The hellish Satan drives you.

Eliza: Why do you say the hellish satan drives me?

Luther: You are like a magician who conjures gulden into the mouths of silly people, but when they open their mouths they have horse dirt in them.

Eliza: Is it because when they open their mouths they have horse dirt in them that you came to me?

Luther: You run against God with the horns of your pride up in the air and thus plunge into the abyss of hell. Woe unto you, Antichrist!

Eliza: I would appreciate it if you would watch your tongue!

Luther: I was frightened and thought I was dreaming, it was such a thunderclap, such a great horrid fart did you let go here! You certainly pressed with great might to let out such a thunderous fart - it is a wonder that it did not tear your hole and belly apart!

Eliza: Does it bother you that it did not tear my hole and belly apart?

Luther: Is not what I said before true, that you have eaten and drunk yourself full of devils, and so spew vainglorious devils out of your hellish gorge?

Eliza: What do you think?

Luther: You reek of nothing but Lucian, and you breathe out on me the vast drunken folly of Epicurus.

Eliza: Perhaps you could try to be less abusive."

I stopped there.

Um, defying a court order is breaking the law. And the Court gave him several chances to correct the situation.

If he can't afford to live where he does, maybe he should sell the house and move.