Some options for the Trial:
1) It takes place in the Ring of Doom. The Valar are ALL present. They are seated on their thrones. No elves. [ie, just like his first trial, which we have not seen prior to this episode.]
2) Same as #1, but with elves.
3) At the Gates of Valmar. Manwë, Nienna, Mandos, Tulkas and some other Valar present (but not all). Elves as witnesses. [Very close to the published Silmarillion version.]
4) In the Halls of Mandos (or the public courtyard just in front). Same cast as #3, but without the elves.
5) Before the Thrones of Manwë and Varda on Taniquetal - elves? other Valar?
6) ???
I feel like, if we don't have a flashback, we need to choose option 1. If we *do* have a flashback where we show at least some of the initial trial (maybe as the opening of this episode), then we are free to have the parole hearing however we like.
I think that Melkor's interaction with the elves can begin after the Trial, and can be very innocuous in this episode...for the most part. But I do want one creepy scene, and might as well be now rather than later.
For awhile, I have had the image of Melkor standing over the body of Míriel in Lorien in my mind. Mostly because he wouldn't have to *do* anything to her, but for her to be completely vulnerable and unable to do anything (being....dead) and to have him just looming over her... that could be a very evocative image.
Now imagine Fëanor walking in on that scene. He goes on a 'graveside visit' to his mother's preserved body, and there he finds this questionable guy looming over her...he'd hate Melkor at first sight, on principle. And since Fëanor and Melkor are going to be antagonistic towards each other, why not start that now?
I'm willing to entertain other first meeting ideas of Fëanor and Melkor, but we should decide if that happens in this episode or next...and I would like it to be very much antagonistic. Fëanor does *not* admire Melkor's skills and strength.
1) It takes place in the Ring of Doom. The Valar are ALL present. They are seated on their thrones. No elves. [ie, just like his first trial, which we have not seen prior to this episode.]
2) Same as #1, but with elves.
3) At the Gates of Valmar. Manwë, Nienna, Mandos, Tulkas and some other Valar present (but not all). Elves as witnesses. [Very close to the published Silmarillion version.]
4) In the Halls of Mandos (or the public courtyard just in front). Same cast as #3, but without the elves.
5) Before the Thrones of Manwë and Varda on Taniquetal - elves? other Valar?
6) ???
I feel like, if we don't have a flashback, we need to choose option 1. If we *do* have a flashback where we show at least some of the initial trial (maybe as the opening of this episode), then we are free to have the parole hearing however we like.
I think that Melkor's interaction with the elves can begin after the Trial, and can be very innocuous in this episode...for the most part. But I do want one creepy scene, and might as well be now rather than later.
For awhile, I have had the image of Melkor standing over the body of Míriel in Lorien in my mind. Mostly because he wouldn't have to *do* anything to her, but for her to be completely vulnerable and unable to do anything (being....dead) and to have him just looming over her... that could be a very evocative image.
Now imagine Fëanor walking in on that scene. He goes on a 'graveside visit' to his mother's preserved body, and there he finds this questionable guy looming over her...he'd hate Melkor at first sight, on principle. And since Fëanor and Melkor are going to be antagonistic towards each other, why not start that now?
I'm willing to entertain other first meeting ideas of Fëanor and Melkor, but we should decide if that happens in this episode or next...and I would like it to be very much antagonistic. Fëanor does *not* admire Melkor's skills and strength.