MovieChat Forums > The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) Discussion > The Harfoots in ROP are exactly as I hav...

The Harfoots in ROP are exactly as I have imagined them

posted 2 years ago by Baranovich (4)
6 replies | jump to latest

Once again, responding to another aspect of ROP that I think Amazon absolutely nailed.

There's been a lot of negative response to the Harfoots.

I don't understand it. I think Amazon did a wonderful job portraying them, visually and culturally. They are indeed a more primitive version of hobbits as we later know them.

Putting grass in their hair, having clothes that are much more earthy, living in grass huts, being nomadic in nature.

Not sure what Tolkien readers expected the Harfoots to be in this. But think Amazon got it exactly right, I love their inclusion in this.

[–] stickman38 (3346) 2 years ago

I don't mind the Harfoots. Nori is becoming one of my favorite characters.

I do agree, the show-runners did a good enough job at making them likeable in my opinion. And I think most of us can agree, they're less annoying than Galadriel.

[–] papamihel (1616) 2 years ago

There is a reason the books start in the Shire - a hidden place removed from evil and so vastly different from the desolation of the most of the Western part of the continent. It's portrayed brilliantly in the Extended FotR.
It creates a contrast with all the hardships and horrors the Hobbits have to face on their journey. And it helps the readers to experience the wonders of the Middle Earth through their eyes. Because of all the creatures of Arda they are most like Earth humans.

Unlike the Professor or Peter Jackson the show's creators have no real talent or understanding of how to craft a good story. The show is like a cocktail of a half a dozen genres.
I don't care how the protoHobbits are in the show. Every time they are shown it kills all of tension and drama (not that they do that very well but still).

[–] setnom (69) 2 years ago

Apart from aesthetics, which is subjective, and the process of migration that seems to amount to nothing, the main reason people dislike the Harfoots, is this:

They sing songs about "no one gets left behind". They have moments where they celebrate and remember those lost during the migration.
But in practice they refuse to help those in need. The Harfoots leave anyone who falls behind. A Harfoot elder even suggested sabotaging the last cart and be done with it.

This seems hypocritical, does it not? Proudly saying "we don't do X" and then doing X.

At least Nori and family seem to go against this norm, when trying to help the tall man. So they aren't all bad. Just the vast, vast majority.

[–] moviechatterer (15583) 2 years ago

I thought that was odd too
I dont remeber "no one gets left behind" song , but i do remember thinking how easily they'll leave people who cant keep up.

I sort of rationalised it as "we have to keep mobile for survival , anyone who'se dead weight has to be left for the greater good of the tribe , much as we'll regret it , and dont worry we'll have a beer and a poem about you later "

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

Having seen your other posts, all about RoP I might add, positively I might also add, I can only conclude that you are a paid SHILL from AMAZON whose job is to gush over your corporate master's ugly handiwork.

Well, I can tell you right now, "Baranovich", GO OUT AND GET A BETTER JOB PICKING LITTER OFF THE STREETS, YOU SAD SACK!

Ignored.

[–] clashwho (758) 2 years ago

When I see the Harfoots' hair I see the hair dresser carefully teasing it out so it looks appealingly messy instead of naturally messy. Looks as fake as everything else in this show.