Overall I'd say I had a really good time with this first season. I do think the structure was a bit off and the pacing was inconsistent, and it did take a little too long to get off the ground. However, there was never an episode I actively disliked. I don't really think this season had many lows. I thought that it had some great highs and then some moments where it fell more in the middle. The biggest downfall was the sheer size of the show, from the world to its characters. There was just too much going on at once that it was impossible for the show to do justice for all of its storylines and characters. As a viewer you very much have to be in it for the long run because not everything is going to be satisfyingly addressed in one season. By the end of the finale there were several storylines and characters that were left unsolved, and that feels a little frustrating. And the show did drag a good and it felt that at times there was more setup than anything else, so I can understand why some fans would be bored or frustrated. I also think this show has had to face an uphill battle due to the context surrounding it with its budget and releasing at the same time as House of the Dragon (and it's not really fair for any show to have to compete with that lol). For me, this show exists as a way for me to get more Middle Earth and I thought it accomplished that well enough while also having some great high points. In particular, I thought all of episode 6 was amazing and every scene with Elrond and Durin was very enjoyable. I also can't deny that the entire show was visually stunning. At the end of the day, I had a great time with this.
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