Here's everything I gathered from the live session:
Preamble
- Begin episode with flashback of trial (depiction of Melkor as haughty/defiant/angry)
- Big picture view for episode: replicate the feeling that something is not right for the viewers (should believe Melkor but…)
- Emphasis: Melkor in a positive light, all the way through to episode 10(?).
Trial
Location: Ring of Doom
Ends: middle of episode
Attendees:
Melkor
· His three ages of confinement given for him to reflect and contemplate the error of his ways and hopefully change (this is especially Manwë’s hope) <-- Set all this up in flashback, during sentencing
· He gives them *exactly* what they wanted (above)
· NO hint of pride at all, completely changed (for all appearances)
· Repentant, sincere manner. Willingness to comply
Manwë
· How do we make Manwë give Melkor a chance without making him look stupid?
- Private conversation with Varda post-trial, shows that he believes Melkor could actually change, which he saw at the trial. Has a decision to proceed in hope or in no hope. He chooses hope, knowing it may not work out. (A hint of “evil may be good to have been” in this conversation, a lot of “Deep Silmarillion Philosopy”, etc)
Tulkas & Ulmo
· Attitude of Tulkas a possible foil for Manwë's leniency
- Tulkas shown as closed-minded, doesn’t trust Melkor AT ALL.
- Viewers may be hesitant to side with Tulkas’ closed-mindedness, more sympathy for Melkor
- Melkor to Tulkas/Valar: “What could I possibly say or do to satisfy you, Tulkas?”
· Ulmo says very little, but clearly not moved by Melkor’s words
Nienna
· Speaks up for Melkor (should be a central, moving point in the Trial)
· Foreshadows the pity of Bilbo for Gollum
· Speech further highlights Manwë didn’t necessarily make the wrong choice
· Has follow up conversation (after the Darkening) with an ‘antagonist’ Vala (Tulkas/Oromë?)
Vala: “So it was wrong to have pity on him.”, etc.
Nienna: “No, it wasn’t wrong.”, etc. (More connection to Frodo and Gollum)
Mandos
· Silent, does nothing
· Possibly exchanges glances with Vairë during trial
Concerning Elves…
· No elves
- Works in favour of Melkors lies later
- Supports Fëanor’s implication in his speech “Is he not Vala, as they?” (doesn’t trust Valar, thinks they’ve been keeping secrets)
- This clear division could be made to look ominous
- Elves would otherwise have a role of “judges” in relation to Melkor, just by being present as witnesses at the trial(should be asked to accept Melkor afterward instead, by the Valar)
But….
· How doe we avoid making the Valar look shady to the viewers, if no elves invited?
- Set up relationship of Valar and elves accordingly so that it’s understandable/natural they wouldn’t include the elves in this matter
- Clear hierarchy in relationship (parents/children, big sibling/little sibling)… they don’t just “hang out” as equals…but the Valar are accessible
- Maiar-elves relationship similar? Shouldn’t be close enough to assume a romantic relationship between the two races (e.g. Olorin more aware of and
knows the elves more than they know him)
Post-Trial
· Not a lot of Melkor & elves interaction in latter half of episode (pushed to later). Show Melkor as what he would have been like as a good guy all along, the one Manwë believes in.
·
Elves to focus on:
-
Fëanor & Fingolfin (establish the characters, viewers begin to see their relationship)
- Fingolfin as better leader, selfless, giving, but Fëanor is clearly Greater. Fingolfin shouldn’t look too smarmy, nor should Fëanor look too petty
- Nerdanel’s take on the brothers
-
Finarfin (third wheel, totally eclipsed by other two brothers throughout most of the episodes but ends up being the greatest of all in terms of choices)
-
Fingon & Maedhros (basically establish they’re best buds, a matched set, friendship predates tension)
-
Aredhel & Galadriel as babes in arms
Mairon Plot....
- Angband gang shouldn’t have info on Valinor or Melkor
- Parallel Melkor’s ‘good’ with Mairon’s increasing evil (Mairon gets a taste of power…and likes it.)
- In effect (for those who may buy into it), Mairon is taking over as the main villain, leaving Melkor out of suspicion.
Okay so in answer to the main conflict question... I think I'm a bit mixed up on whether the conflict is the audience's interpretation of Melkor or the elves' reaction to him. I think if we're going to have the elves reaction it should, as Ray says, probably be during the trial itself. But this means the elves are present, which is something we'll have to nail down for sure.
Edit: I totally forgot to include the whole Palantiri dilemma, but MithLuin has created a special post for that, which is way more helpful.
Additional edit: "So it is doomed" correction