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At SDCC showrunner John D. Payne said: “So, one, always back to Tolkien. And two, when Tolkien was silent, we tried to invent as Tolkienian a way as possible.“ Let’s see how much of this is true…

Analysis of Amazon’s "The Rings of Power”

Season 1

A strongly compressed timeline, Galadriel going on adventures in Númenor and Mordor, and Elvish immortality needs to be saved by mithril?

The first season of Amazon's "The Rings of Power" includes a few character names and places from Tolkien's writings, but most of the characters' personalities and the storylines are – as expected – invented by Amazon.

► Completely updated for season 1

Preface

This is my attempt of giving a comprehensive overview about where Amazon’s show actually adapted something from Tolkien’s writing, where they contradict Tolkien’s writings, and where Amazon came up with their own inventions. If I have overlooked anything in this episode, please let me know. I’ll add it with credit to the list.

Not included are the majority of the visual choices of the show because most of it cannot be compared well to text unless there are story-relevant differences. Themes within the Amazon series or Tolkien’s stories won't be listed either since they are highly subjective.

Where the show references Tolkien

General worldbuilding

Locations

Tolkien’s map is included, although with extensions made by the show.

A location with the name Valinor is shown, it is located in the West of the world and portrayed as a desirable destination for the Elves of Middle-earth. In Valinor, the Two Trees and a large city are briefly shown.

A location with the name Lindon is shown.

Forodwaith is shown as a region of mostly ice and snow.

Lands with the name Rhovanion are shown.

A location with the name Eregion is shown, with a city build besides a river.

Another location with the name Khazad-dûm is shown: it is an underground city built by Dwarves. Mirrormere as a loation close to or in Khazad-dûm is mentioned as well.

The Kingdom of Númenor is introduced as the “westernmost of all mortal realms”. It is located on an island.

The volcano Orodruin is shown in a location with the name Mordor.

Rhûn is mentioned as a place in Middle-earth.

Beleriand as a (very vague) location is mentioned.

The Unseen World is mentioned.

Races

The races of Elves, Dwarves, Men, Hobbits, Orcs and Trolls exist.

The Elves have pointy ears, and their eyesight is better than that of humans.

Dwarves are shown to live underground. They are shorter than Men or Elves, but not as short as Hobbits. Dwarf-men have long beards.

The Hobbits are shorter than Men or Elves or even Dwarves.

The Valar are mentioned a few times in an unspecific way.

The Istari exist.

Orcs are portrayed as an overall ugly looking race with dark blood, who fear/dislike the sun. They are possibly corruptions of Elves, either created or corrupted by Morgoth. They are mentioned to have lived in the North, for example in the Ered Mithrin, as servants/slaves of Sauron.

History

The destruction of the Two Trees is briefly shown and mentioned.

Elves journying from Valinor to Middle-earth is mentioned.

Fëanor is mentioned in reference to the Silmarils, and that the Silmarils were stolen by Morgoth.

“The war” – probably refering to the war against Morgoth in general – is mentioned and briefly shown with a few images. Finrod is briefly shown fighting in a battle against Orcs. Morgoth’s defeat is mentioned.

There is a reference to whole continents sinking in the war with Morgoth.

Somen Men have sided with Morgoth in the wars, thousands of years ago at the present time of the show.

The history of Númenor is briefly summarized, including the island being a reward by the Valar for standing against Morgoth, the Númenorean’s being friends with the Elves, and then breaking contact.

Language

Tengwar letters and Cirth runes are used on some objects and in some places.

Some of Tolkien’s Quenya and Sindarin words and grammer are used in dialogue and names.

A few words in Khuzdul, Tolkien’s Dwarvish language, are used. It's is mentioned to that Dwarves don't reveal words and terms in their own language to outsiders, and that they have secret names in their own language.

Some words in the Black Speech are spoken.

In Númenor, some names are Adûnaic.

People & characterisation

Galadriel: An Elvish character with the name Galadriel exists, who has long, golden hair, is a Noldo and of the Golden House of Finarfin. She lived in Valinor for a while and had an older brother (named Finrod in the credits).

Finrod: An Elvish character with the name Finrod (credited only in the credits) exists, who is Galadriel's older brother, and who is no longer alive in the present time of the show (= the later half of the Second Age).

Sauron: A character with the name Sauron is briefly shown, and described as a servant of Morgoth, as a sourcerer and leader of armies of Orcs. It is said that he tried to bring order to Middle-earth and experimented with the lives of Orcs. Sauron shows signs that he wishes to repent, but ultimately doesn't.

Elrond: A character with the name Elrond exists. He is an Half-elf, Eärendil's son, Elros' brother, and has connections to Gil-galad and Galadriel. He spends some time in Lindon.

Gil-galad: An Elvish character with the name Gil-galad exists. He has the title of "High King", and has connections to Galadriel, Elrond and Celebrimbor.

Celebrimbor: An Elvish character with the name Celebrimbor exists. He is known as a great smith and has connections to Gil-galad. He is portrayed as someone with ambition when it comes to craft, and with interest in the Dwarves.

Durin: A Dwarvish character with the name Durin exists.

Elendil: Elendil is the name of a human character in the show, he is father to Isildur, lives in Númenor and is friendly towards Elves.

Isildur: Isildur is a human man, he is a son of Elendil and lives in Númenor.

Míriel: Míriel is a human woman, and daughter of the King of Númenor.

Pharazôn: Pharazôn is a human man, and a cousin of Míriel. He lives in Númenor and is no friend of the Elves.

Tar-Palantír: A character with the name Tar-Palantír exists, he is King of Númenor closely before Númenor’s downfall, and is friendly towards the Elves.

Characters that are only mentioned:

A character with the name Morgoth existed, and is described as the Great Foe.

The Golden House of Finarfin is mentioned.

Fëanor's name is mentioned in relation to the Silmarils.

Eärendil is mentioned as Elrond’s father, that he sailed to Valinor to convince the Valar to help Men and Elves against Morgoth, and that he now sails forever on the sky, carring the Evening Star.

Celeborn is mentioned as Galadriel's husband.

Elros is mentioned to have existed, and is implied to have been Elrond’s brother.

Anárion is mentioned as Isildur’s brother.

Aulë is referenced by the Dwarves a few times.

Manwë is referenced once.

The One, Master of the Secret Fire, is mentioned, and credited for the creation of both Elves and Orcs.

Story

Lindon

The concept of Elves sailing from Middle-earth to Valinor exists.

Eregion & Khazad-dûm

The friendship and collaboration between the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm and the Elves of Eregion can be found in Tolkien's writings.

The Dwarves mining for Mithril in Khazad-dûm is part of Tolkien's lore – in the show mithril is shown and its mining discussed.

The importance and weight of oaths is a topic that can be found in many places of Tolkien's writings, and in the show it's shown in Elrond's oath to Durin not to reveal any of his secrets.

Elven-smiths in Eregion in Celebrimbor's smithy can be seen in the background.

The Three Rings are created by Celebrimbor in Eregion, with some influence of Sauron. The rings have a blue, red and white stone on them.

Númenor

Númenórean worldview: the Númenóreans make a difference between the Númenóreans and Halbrand as a “low man”, a reference to the Dunedain dividing the Humans into High Men, Middle Men and Men of Shadow.

There are tensions in Númenor between those who oppose the friendship with Elves, and those who want to be friends with Elves.

The dream of the Great Wave is a dream that Faramir mentioned in The Lord of the Rings, but that both J.R.R. Tolkien and als Christopher Tolkien have had. Tolkien was wondering whether that dream could inherited, since both he and his son had had it, but in the show this seems not to be the case but a result of the contact with the Palantír instead.

The Palantír exists as a magical stone that lets you see something. The use and results of the use may differ from show to book.

In the show Pharazôn is interested in possible trade routes in Middle-earth. In Tolkien's writings, Númenor indeed had many connections for trade in Middle-earth.

Númenórean horses and their riders could have a deep bond, the horse could be trained to understand calls from great distances, and it is said in some cases they could ven be summoned at need by thought alone.

The Númenórean envy on Elvish immortality is hinted at.

The Faithful are mentioned.

Mordor/The Southlands

Men of Shadow: The overall idea of Men having served Morgoth is a focus of the Southland storyline. It is discussed in regards to the ancestors of the human population of the Southlands, but is also relevant in the present when some of the Men in the village are shown to be followers of Sauron, and are willing to surrender to Adar and his Orcs, in part with the expectation that Adar is Sauron or sent by him.

Independant Orcs: The presence of Orcs in the East of Middle-earth that aren't slaves of Sauron but rather independant is something that can be found in Tolkien's writings. The lands that would later be Mordor could count as "east". Of course, at the end of the Second Age they all were under Sauron's rule.

Origin of Orcs: In the discussion between Adar and Galadriel, the origin of the Orcs is discussed: Galadriel mentions corrupted Elves and identifies Adar to be one of them, but believes the Orcs to be created by Morgoth in mockery. Adar argues that Orcs are creations of the One just as the Elves are. This discussion reflects some of Tolkien's various thoughts on the topic (though it does not reflect Galadriel's actual position in his writings, which was never given on this topic).

The Orodruin is shown as an active volcano in the Southlands.

Direct quotes: A quote is directly referenced from the book: "[…] in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach." In the show it's quoted as "In the end, this shadow is but a small and passing thing. There is light and high beauty forever beyond its reach." The person who says it and the context are different.

Sauron's plans: According to Adar, Sauron was searching for a way to have power "over the flesh" and "of the Unseen World". This can be taken as a reference to the One Ring, which in Tolkien's writings was used by Sauron to dominate and control the minds of others.

The Wilderlands

Fate: Nori brings up the idea that there may be a "reason" for her to find the Stranger, that she was "supposed" to find him. This could be seen as a vague reference to Gandalf saying Bilbo was meant to finde the Ring and Frodo meant to have it.

Direct quotes: Poppy and Nori sing a song with the line "not all who wonder or wander are lost", which reminds of the line "not all those who wander are lost" in Bilbo's poem of The Lord of the Rings, as written by Tolkien.

Where the show contradicts Tolkien

Inventions by the show that directly contradict Tolkien's writings.

Timeline compression

Based on the inclusion of characters like Elendil and Pharazôn it is clear that the series is se at the end of the Second Age. However, many imporant events of the Second Age have not happened yet, indicating a compression of the timeline. This is a huge change and contradicts Tolkien's worldbuilding for the Second Age in many ways. In addition, some events of the Third Age also have been included. The main contradictions are

Sauron’s identity at the time of Elendil and Pharazôn should be well known, and Sauron should have created an empire in Middle-earth by then.

Mordor, including the locations of Arondir’s and Bronwyn’s plotline, should have been under Sauron’s control for about 1500 years by now.

Barad-dûr should have been built already.

The Rings of Power, including the One Ring, should have been created already, and the ning Kings of Men been turned into Nazgûl by the Nine Rings.

Celebrimbor should have been dead for a long time at this point.

Gil-galad would have noticed Sauron’s presence early in th Second Age and would have tried to build up alliances against him.

The War of the Elves and Sauron should haves happened, and as a result Eregion should be ruined, including Ost-in-Edhil.

If this is the end of the Second Age, the Elves in the show are all about 1500 years too young.

These changes affect all kinds of elements in the show: locations, societies, history, characters and overall the story that is told. Especially the storylines of Arondir, Bronwny, Celebrimbor, Elrond and Gil-galad are affected by this so far.

General worldbuilding

Elves

Age: Some Elves, like Celebrimbor and Gil-galad, look visibly too old. Tolkien described his Elves either as youthful or as ageless in his writings, they are never supposed to look like middle-aged/older people (with the only possible exception of Círdan).

Hair: The Amazon series shows most of the male Elves with short hair. However, whenever Tolkien describes the hair length of an Elf, it’s long. For the Noldor and the Teleri as a whole the hair was described as long at one point.

Beauty: All of Tolkien’s Elves are described as exceptionally beautiful. In Amazon’s series the Elves are not particulary beautiful.

Immortality: Elves in Tolkien's writings can die or fade, but their souls are nevertheless immortal. This immortality is independant of the light of the Two Trees. However, in Amazon's show the Elves can lose their immortality and their supposedly immortal souls could “dwindle into nothing, slowly diminishing, until [they] are but shadows, swept away by the tides of time”.

Dwarves

Dwarf-women without beards: The show shows several Dwarf-women, inlcuding Disa, without beard. Tolkien’s writings on the other hand clearly state that the Dwarf-women also have beards and basically look like the Dwarf-men.

The reincarnation of Durin: In Tolkien’s writings there exists the idea of Durin the Deathless – based on this idea Durin would return to life seven times, each time named Durin and reigning as King. However, in the show two Durins exist at the same time, making this legend impossible.

Orcs

Burned by sunlight: Orcs are burned by direct sunlight. This is not the case in Tolkien's writings, where they can go into the sun without being directly harmed by it, even though their strength and endurance is reduced in the sun.

History

Death of the Trees: The Prologue claims that it was Morgoth who “destroyed the very light of [the Elves’] home”, but in Tolkien’s story this was done by Ungoliant.

Motives of the Elves: The Prologue also implies that the Elves went to war against Morgoth because of the destruction of the Two Trees, but in Tolkien’s writings the Noldor rather left to avenge Finwë’s death and the theft of the Silmarils.

Origin of the Elves: Another implication of the Prologue seems to be that the Noldor never had been in Middle-earth before – or that there were no Elves in Middle-earth before their journey altogether. This is, of course, not the case.

No word for death: In the Amazon series, Galadriel in the intro says that they had no word for death yet. In Tolkien’s writings however, at the time of Galadriel’s childhood the Elves had already experienced death a) in Middle-earth during the Great Journey and b) in Valinor when Míriel died. Galadriel wouldn’t have been born if Míriel hadn’t died, because otherwise Finwë wouldn’t have married Indis. The concept of death therefore must have existed.

Bringing war: Celebrimbor mentioned that “our kind brought war to these shores” – but technically it was Morgoth who started the war. The First Battle of Beleriand took place before the arrival of the Noldor, and was fought by the Elves of Doriath, the Falathrim and the Laiquendi against the Orcs of Morgoth. To assume Morgoth would have stopped if the Noldor had not challenged him is naive. Galadriel in the show also mentions that ther family started the war, and this is even more wrong, since the children of Finarfin were the more restrained among the Noldor.

Balrog: The Balrog is shown to be awake in Khazad-dûm.

Language

In Tolkien’s 2nd Age, Westron did not exist yet. Elves and Men had trouble with communication. In Amazon’s 2nd Age, everyone seems to speak the same language: Elves, Men and Harfoots. If they speak different languages, it is not made clear.

Elves are shown to speak English, but every now and then they switch to Quenya. However, it does not appear that their “English” is supposed to be Sindarin, because when Elrond writes Gil-galad’s speech it’s in Quenya, yet later Gil-galad gives the speech in English. Unless Elrond translated the speech into Sindarin afterwards the switch between Enlish and Quenya makes no sense.

Arondir and Adar both speak Quenya, but Quenya wasn’t spoken as an everyday language in Middle-earth ever since Thingol had banned its used. It’s especially unlikely for a Silvan Elf or for an Orc to speak Quenya. It's also unlikely since they all use Sindarin names.

People & characterisation

Galadriel:

Amazon’s Galadriel doesn’t seem to have a daughter, nor is her husband Celeborn around. In contrast, in Tolkien’s writings she gets married to Celeborn soon after the 2nd Age begins, and not long after gives birth to their daughter Celebrian. Galadriel and Celeborn spend most of their time in Middle-earth together.

Amazon’s Galadriel has apparently spent a whole age (however long) searching for Sauron. In Tolkien’s writings, Galadriel resists Sauron once she is aware of his presence, but there is no record of her actively searching for him anywhere or trying to take revenge.

Amazon’s Galadriel is shown sailing West, although she stops and turns around. In contrast, Tolkien’s Galadriel was “the last survivor of the princes and queens who had led the revolting Noldor to exile in Middle-earth. After the overthrow of Morgoth ath the end of the First Age a ban was set upon her return, and she had replied proudly that she had no wish to do so.”

Amazon's Galadriel is shown to be "commander of the Northern armies of High King Gil-galad", yet this is unlikely to have been the case in Tolkien's writings, since Galadriel spent most of her time in the 2nd Age away from Lindon.

Galadriel’s brother (Finrod)

Amazon’s Finrod is killed by Sauron, after having been on a hunt for Sauron. This heavily contradicts Tolkien’s writings, where Finrod was supporting his friend Beren on a mission and is killed by a wolf in Sauron’s dungeon.

Amazon’s Finrod seems to have a very different philosphy compared to how Tolkien has written him. In Amazon’s series, when a young Galadriel asks him how to differenciate between light and darkness, Finrod’s advice response is that “sometimes we cannot know until we have touched the darkness”. This seems contrary to any attitude that an Elf in Valinor before Morgoth’s release would have, and especially strange for an Elf like Finrod, who had a very strong belief in Eru.

Sauron

Sauron in the series is said to have gained power after Morgoth’s defeat, and that he found and killed Finrod. However, in Tolkien’s writings he went into hiding until he appeared in fair form at the doorstep of the Elves. Finrod was killed by Sauron’s wolf before Morgoth’s defeat.

At the time of Elendil and Pharazôn, Sauron's identity was already well known as he had created an empire in Middle-earth by then.

At this time he also should have been in posession of the One Ring, who hasn't been created yet in the show.

All of Sauron's storylines with Galadriel did not happen in Tolkien's stories, including his time in Númenor as Halbrand, fighting alongside the Númenóreans in Mordor, helping Celebrimbor with the forging of the Rings in Eregion under the disguise of a mortal man named Halbrand, and his interest in ruling Middle-earth together with Galadriel.

Sauron is shown to be able to read Galadriel's mind (being able to access her memories of her brother), despite her being aware of it and being against it. This contradicts Tolkien's writings, in which the free and unbound mind cannot be accessed if access is refused. It also contradicts one of Sauron's motives to create the One Ring in the first place.

Elrond:

Amazon’s Elrond has light brown hair and is rather young. Tolkien describes Elrond’s hair as “dark as the shadows of twilight”, and at the forging of the One Ring Elrond is already over 1600 years old, and at the Downfall of Númenor even over 3000 years old.

Amazon’s Elrond is not considered an Elf-lord. Given that Tolkien’s Elrond is the son of Eärendil, grandson of Dior and also great-grandson of Turgon, there is no way he would not be counted among the nobility or even royalty of any Eldar society he wanders into.

Amazon's Elrond so far has shown no experience with weapons or that he holds any military authority. However, in Tolkien's writings Elrond led Gil-galad's armies against Sauron in the war in Eriador.

Amazon's Elrond mentions that Galadriel found him when he was "first orphaned", alone and "without friend of kin". This contradicts Tolkien's writings, where Elrond was with Elros, and taken in first my Maedhros and Maglor, and later was with Gil-galad.

Gil-galad

Amazon’s Gil-galad looks older than Galadriel, although in Tolkien’s writings he is from a generation younger than Galadriel, and therefore most likely younger than her.

Amazon’s Gil-galad refuses to acknowledge Sauron’s presence in Middle-earth. In Tolkien’s writings, Gil-galad is among the first to notice Sauron’s shadow, to recognise it as a threat, and to try to form alliances against it.

Amazon’s Gil-galad is dressed all in gold, including gold stars. In Tolkien’s writing, he is instead associated with silver and white stars.

Amazon's Gil-galad urging Elrond to break his oath is highly unlikely, given the severance of breaking oaths in Middle-earth.

Celebrimbor

Amazon’s Celebrimbor looks too old (see above).

In Tolkien's writings, Celebrimbor is long dead by this time of the Second Age.

During III and IV

In the show, Durin III and Durin IV are father and son. This is not the case in Tolkien’s writings (see above).

Elendil

Amazon's Elendil is only a Sea Guardsman, neither his father (who is not in the show) nor Elendil himself seem to be Lord of Andúnië.

Míriel

Míriel is Queen Regent in the show, a title she never had in Tolkien’s writing since her father was never exiled.

Pharazôn

Pharazôn in the show is too old, in Tolkien’s texts he is about the same age as Elendil and Míriel.

In the show he is portrayed as a chancellor, and as hesitant to fight. In Tolkien’s writings, he is a great captain and commander of the Númenórean armies.

“Kemen” sounds like the Quenya word for “earth” and is an unlikely name for a hypotetical son of Pharazôn.

the Stranger

with the Stranger officially being revealed as one of the Istari, he now also contradicts Tolkien's writings: none of the Istari arrived as a meteor in Middle-earth, and while the two Blue Wizards may have arrived in the Second Age, they arrived together and not alone. All other Istari arrived later.

Celeborn

In the show, Celeborn is believed to be dead. This is not the case in Tolkien's writings.

Anarion

Anarion does not seem to be around, since Pharazôn mentions only one son when speaking of Elendil.

Elros

Elros is depicted with a beard in a painting. According to Tolkien’s writing, those Men with Elvish ancestry don’t have beards, and that would be especially true in the case of Elros.

Story

Lindon

Who is allowed to sail west: In the Amazon series, Gil-galad seems to decide which Elves are sailing West and which don’t. This is heavily contradicting Tolkien’s writings, where sailing West was open for all Elves – with the possible exception of the former leaders of the Noldorin rebellion, including Galadriel. This permission or ban came from the Valar, and not from any single elf, king or no king.

Sailing to Valinor: During the 2nd Age, the passage to Valinor over the sea was, more or less, a “normal” journey on ship. No special magic was needed to get there, and in fact sailors would reach Tol Eressëa first.

Swimming through the ocean: The idea that an Elf could swim through the at times stormy ocean for a longer time contradicts Amroth’s fate, who tried exactly this and died. Galadriel’s decision to jump into the ocean is more than reckless.

The "lost" Silmaril: The show introduces the legend of a lost Silmaril hidden in a tree. However, this legend contradicts the known legend of the three Silmarils finding their home in the earth, the sea and the sky.

Mithril as a cure: Gil-galad and Celebrimbor believe mithril to be the cure against the Elves losing their immortality and dying, because it's somehow connected to a Silmaril. This contradicts Tolkien's writings, where mithril already had been found in the 1st Age and had no connection to a Silmaril whatsoever.

Eregion & Khazad-dûm

Eregion at the end of the Second Age was in ruin, including Ost-in-Edhil, according to Tolkien's writings. This is not the case in the show.

A lifetime of 20 years: In the show, Durin claims that he lived an entire life in the 20 years that Elrond was away. However, according to Tolkien, Dwarves usually reach the age of 250 years, turning 20 years in about 1/10 of a lifetime.

The secrecy about mithril in the show does not match what is told in the Tale of Years: that some of the Noldor went to Eregion to settle there especially because they had learned about mitrhil, and from working together the friendship between Dwarves and Elves in that region grew. Therefore, the knowledge of mithril would probably be a reason why Celebrimbor would be in that area in the first place.

Distance: Galadriel and Halbrand need 5-6 days from the Númenorean camp to Ost-in-edhil. Given that it took Gandalf 3-4 days on Shadowfax from Dol Baran to Minas Tirith, and Galadriel's way is almost thrice as long, this timing is hardly possible.

Motives for the creation of the Rings of Power: while the primarily purpose of the Rings of Power was preservation, they were not made or needed to preserve Elvish immortality nor to keep them alive. The show contradicts this by having the Elves quickly forge the rings in order to save their lives.

Creation of the Rings of Power: the creation of the Rings of Power was something done by the smithes of Eregion without the involvement of Gil-galad, Elrond or Galadriel. In the show this is contradicted with them all discussing and debating it, and giving their advice.

Order of creation: the Three Rings of the Elves were the last of the Rings of Power that Celebrimbor made. In the show it appears that the Seven and the Nine haven't been made yet.

Nenya was the only one of the Three Rings to contain mithril according to Tolkien's writings, while the show has mithril in all three rings.

Númenor

Elves in Númenor: It is heavily implied in Tolkien’s writing that no Elves came to Númenor during the time of Elendil and Pharazôn. Especially Galadriel’s presence contradicts this in the show.

The usage of the Palantír: Prophetic visions are not recorded as a way to use the seeing stones. Gandalf mused about seeing in the past, but the Unfinished Tales don’t mention it. The same prophetic vision for more than one person is even more unlikely, unless a person of strong will would direct the Palantír to show the vision in this way

The number and location of the Palantíri: According to Míriel in the show, there is only on Palantír left. However, according to Tolkien’s writings there were at least seven left at the time of the downfall of Númenor, and they were also in possession of first Amandil and then Elendil, and not in the possession of the royal family. (There is still a change that it’s revealed in the show that Elendil has seven Palantíri of his own.)

Tar-Palantír was never exiled, he ruled as a King until his death and was then succeeded by Pharazôn through forced marriage with Míriel.

Cavalry: The Númenóreans had no cavalry as is explicitly stated by Tolkien.

A bond through battle: There is no indication in Tolkien's writing that the deep bond between Númenoreans and their horses would be formed when riding in battle, since the Númenóreans basically never rode their horses into battle.

Númenórean settlements: The Númenóreans in the show apparently have no settlements in Middle-earth yet, nor any trade routes to speak of.

Sailing across the ocean: The time that it takes the Númenórean fleet to reach Middle-earth and the lands of Mordor is too short – sailing from Númenor to Middle-earth took the Númenóreans quite some time according to tolkien's writings, and certainly wasn't a matter of just a few days.

Mordor/the Southlands

Elvish supervision of Mannish villages: The Silvan Elves in Amazon’s Middle-earth seem to be ruled by Gil-galad and keep watch on human settlements east of the Ash mountains. In Tolkien’s writings, Gil-galad ruled in Linon and at best over Eriador in general, but certainly not further east or south, were the Silvan Elves lived. The Silvan Elves kept to themselves and refused the rule of the Noldor, except for Galadriel in Lóthlorien in the 3rd Age. There is no record of any Mannish settlement being controlled by Elves against their will.

The character Adar seems to be counted among the Orcs, despite of his still very Elvish looks. He describes himself as an Uruk as well, and also has dark instead of red blood. This Elvish look is questionable, since according to Tolkien Orcs are not supposed to be immortal. Even more unlikely is Adar believing in the One as the creator, since an essential part or Morgoth's corruption was on a "moral or theological level". Orcs in general had rejected the belief in Eru in favor of taking Morgoth as their God, even if they hated him. This is one of their fundamental differences to the Elves, who never "rejected Eru in word, or belief".

Arondir was born in Beleriand - yet he was promoted as a Silvan Elf. Silvan Elves wouldn’t be from Beleriand, and it would make more sense to assume that Arondir is one of the Laiquendi instead.

The Orodruin only erupting because of some Orcish undertaking contradicts the fact that at this time the mountain should be a very active volcano – Sauron had specifically settled in this region because of the eruptions of Orodruin.

The Wilderlands

Meteor Man: It is impossible for any Man or Elf to fall down as a meteor and survive. However, for the few Maiar that came to Midde-earth no such incident was ever reported either: Sauron was already in Middle-earth in the 2nd Age, and the Istari came by ship.

Nori’s name: Nori’s full name is Elanor Brandyfoot. Elanor is a Sindarin name, and therefore an unlikely name for any Hobbit (or “proto-Hobbit”) unless they had contact with Sindarin speaking Elves. However, this contact with the Sindar is unlikely to have happened in the Wilderlands east of the Anduin.

Where the show invented its own content

Basically everything that was not included in the first section "Where the show references Tolkien" is an invention of the show, especially all contradictions in the previous section.

It would be too much to describe everything about the show that is an invention, therefore the following list will only a few parts that I find worth mentioning, and give a rough overview when it comes to the storylines.

General worldbuilding

Elvish clothes: Neither veiled Elf-women nor the Greek/Roman-looking wreath is described anywhere in Tolkien's writings.

Elvish healers: Elves calling healers “artificers”, and they “labor […] to render hidden truths as works of beauty” in order to heal the soul is an invention of the show.

The Song of the Roots of Hithaeglir is invented by the show.

Planting seeds before a battle as an Elvish ritual is an invention of the show.

The term "Moriondor" is an invention of the show.

Morgoth’s tears: The story of Morgoth staring into the Silmarils until one of his tears fell on them is an invention by the show, as is the idea that the Silmarils “Fëanor’s work nearly turned the heart of the Great Foe” with this.

The Rite of Sigin-tarâg is an invention of the show.

Singing to the stone: the concept of “Resonating” was invented by the show.

People & characterisation

Galadriel: Galadriel’s desire for revenge, her position as a warrior in and leader of the Northern armies, her aggresiveness, her cruetly towards Adar, her habit to antagonize everyone around her is not based on anything in Tolkien's writings.

Elrond: Elrond writing speeches for Gil-galad, his conscious decision to ignore warnings of Sauron’s presence, his friendship with Durin, his banishment from Khazad-dûm (that was later ignored) is invented by the show.

Gil-galad: Gil-galad sending Galadriel to Valinor because he suspects her to be the cause of the tree's decay, his plan for Elrond to unknowingly find out about the mithril, and him lying to Elrond are inventions of the show.

Celebrimbor being an acquaintance of Eärendil, and involved in the mithril-myth, is an invention of the show.

During III and IV: the characterisation of both Durins is an invention of the show

Elendil: Elendil’s rather strained relationship with Isildur, the existance of his daugter, and the content that contradicts Tolkien’s writings are inventions by the show.

Isildur: Isildur’s friends and adventures at sea, his sister, the issue in his relationship to his father, his desire to find the "true West" and his attempts to cheat to get back into the army are inventions by the show.

Míriel: Míriel's characterisation is overall completely invented by the show, as is her blindness.

Pharazôn: Pharazôn being more of a sheming character is an invention of the show, as is his son.

Invented characters

All characters not mentioned in the "Where the show references Tolkien" section are invented by the show. This includes

in Lindon: Thondir

in Mordor/the Southlands: Arondir, Bronwyn, Theo, Revion, Waldreg, Tredwill, Rowan, Adar

in the Wilderlands: Nori, Poppy, Sadoc, Marigold, Malva, Largo, the Dweller, the Nomad, the Ascetic

in Khazad-dûm: Disa and her children

in Númenor: Eärien, Kemen, Valandil (name reused), Ontamo

all background characters

Story

Lindon

Galadriel's expedition to Forodwaith

Galadriel's journey on the ship with destination Valinor

Galadriel's jump into the ocean and the attempt to swim back to Middle-earth, including meeting with Halbrand

the dinner with Elrond, Durin III, Gil-galad and Celebrimbor

the conflict of the sick tree and dying Elves, Elrond's dilemma regarding his oath, and mithril possibly being a way to save the Elves

Durin III lying about the table and having the stone transported to Khazad-dûm

Eregion & Khazad-dûm

Celebrimbor's need for having to build a tower until spring

Celebrimbor remembering Eärendil

Elrond's, Durin's and Disa's storyline about the mithril, including Elrond's visits in Khazad-dûm, the rite, Elrond spying on Durin & discovering mithril, the collapsed mine, Durin III's ban to mine mithril and his conflict with Durin IV and the following disinheritance.

Númenor

all of Galadriel's arrival and stay in Númenor, and all storylines connected with it

Halbrands storyline in Númenor

Míriel's storyline as Queen Regent

Pharazôn's part as chancellor

Eärien's and Kemen's story

Isildur's storyline in Númenor so far

Elendil's storyline in Númenor so far

the tradition of the blessing of the children

the complaints of the Númenorean civilians about Elves taking their jobs, or taking over Númenor as a whole

the Númenórean expedition to rescue a few villages in the Southlands

Mordor/the Southlands

The culture, history and current situation of the Southlands and its population is an invention of the show.

Except for the idea of Men being corrupted and siding with Sauron, all storylines set in the Southlands and involing Arondir, Bronwyn and Theo are an invention of the show.

The dark sword that makes Theo feel powerful and a sense of loss once he no longer has it, and which also functions as a key to igniting an eruption in Orodruin, is invented by the show. The sense of loss and powerful feeling is in a way an imitation of the One Ring.

The storyline of Adar's Orcs attacking, and the Númenoreans charing in to save the village is also an invention of the show.

The storyline of the Orodruin erupting and instantly turning the previously green Southlands into what is geerally known as Mordor is an invention of the show, including its results: Isildur getting left behind, Míriel being blind, Galadriel taking Halbrand to Eregion

The Wilderlands

The culture, lifestyle and current situation of the Harfoot-Hobbits is an invention of the show. While there was a specific time where Hobbits migrated from one place to another place because of safety reasons, there is no record anywhere that they lived as nomads at any point in the history of Middle-earth.

The storylines of the Harfoots,the Stranger, the Dweller, the Nomad, and the Ascetic is completely invented by the show.

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