Flieger

Fair point - although: there is not much missing for the unarmoured Theoden, his body printing is already perfect. It is just the legs...

Very intriguing construction... looking simple at first glance, but a second glance reveals the thoughtfulness of the build. I like that it is easily recognisable as Rohan architecture even without the LotR-specific parts and figures.

When in armour, he does not, that is true. When he is in his 'usual' garbs though, he sports a fine green cloak with red inner lining. At least in the movies. With Aragorn's new blue and red cloak in the Black Gate set, we may see Theoden's green and red cloak too one day. http://www.theargonath.cc/characters/theoden/pictures/theodenmiscpics.html But I don't like the Lego cloaks and seldom use them anyway...

Indeed, for me it is the new pointy sword in gold I must have. Yes, totally. But are you sure people have realized already that it might be a too adult theme? Obviously some savvy people feel the need to repeat that over and over again...

I wonder why there were no Haradrim so far anyway... A ranger vs Haradrim set could be easily done and would not even require new molds if the Oliphant is brickbuild.

I actually like the simple elegance of the Twins! Gives you a good impression about that fortress and its strength! You could add some warmachines like catapults on top to make it more menacing.

My pleasure! I would not advise using the pointy helmet, I just wanted to say you can use that one for anything, but the LotR helmets are too specific imo. Winterfell is pretty much medieval, so most of the castle line helmets would work. I also agree that the torsos of the Rohirrim soldiers are VERY good for ASOIAF because Winterfell and Rohan both are influenced by northern European/Anglo-Saxon culture to some extent. The brown wolfpack torses however may work with the TV-version, since the TV-Winterfell soldiers are mostly brown...

Having no nostalgic feelings about this castle line, my reasons to like it are a) the very stereotype but in that stereotype extremely well executed baddies, who represent evil a lot better than the previous Dragon Knights, and b) the impressive architecture considering the low piece count. That goes for the Gatehouse as well as the Dragon Mountain, both having comparatively few pieces but offer intresting buildings. Although these are clearly an evolution of their previous incarnations, it is an evolution to the better. As an adult, the big castle does not appeal to me but I know my younger self would have loved it (and replaced the lion with the falcons soon). And of course that is what counts unless one thinks afols would matter somehow - visiting Lego-stores from time to time and actually noticing the people shopping there may cure that easily. That is why LotR and Star Wars are perfect licenses, they feature kid friendly good-vs-evil story in rather simple terms, although they do so in masterful language and/or imagery. (Which is yet another reason for never having the fantasy line I wish for - and before smart people point that out for the 100th time: yes, it is too adult. I hope you can spare me your jests on that from now on, ok? ). One could of course argue whether kids really need this clear-cut good vs evil-theme. I grew up with the Falcons and early Lions, and from my point of view the lions were the evil ones. Lego at that time - having only one smily face and noble heraldry for both - allowed me to make that choice. It did not with the Wolfpack, whose faces struck me as scruffy and evil. But the more themes came, the clearer became the distinction between good and evil, and I wonder if that is necessary. Also, why could'nt the Dragon be the sigil of a good faction? One of the greatest medieval heros ever, Arthur, sported a dragon. Is the lion ever good because Denmark's coat of arms includes lions, or because of Richard Lionheart? Black is an obvious choice for the baddies, though.

It worked for the Lone Ranger (Comanche Camp), even though I have to agree that this is not terribly appealing. What would be possible would be a larger tent with detailed inside build to allow the eating of the heart scene. Anyway with the first season gone one can go for sets from the other seasons... The Black Watch recruit cart would not be unique build e.g., but again: was Gandal's Arrival any more than a cart with Gandalf and Frodo? More important: in case of the Horse Gate, and most other buildings and the ships you would have your unique to GoT builds. Sure you may find some of these proposals boring. That may have something to do with the fact that I am a historian, not a professional set designer My only point is that GoT offers far more than just giant castles or wide landscapes. I think a professional should be capable of working out sets in all sizes to match your criteria. This has come to attention already.

I do not contest this particular notion. I also agree that we might take this discussion elsewhere.

Most of my examples ARE key scenes in TV and the novels. How would the funeral pyre of Khal Drogo e.g. be a 'glorified figure pack'? It is a key scene, it has an interesting build with 'play' features (light up flames) and key characters. How could that not be something distinct from the show? Anyway if I may remind you: your point was a about GoT having only large sets. Do you still hold that opinion?

I do not think so. The scene is crystal clear: the arrival at Harlond. That is why the bonus Peter Jackson/corsair is captive, that is why there are orcs and siege weaponry, that is why there is a focus on the Army of the Dead (as you have seen in the movie, it is also their huge numbers to swap away the orcs), and that is why you need the trio of Gimli, Aragorn and Legolas (these three left the ship first). Maybe Lego should have removed PJ/corsair and replace it with an orc to remove all misunderstandings, but I for one like the corsair fig and I am happy he is in. As for the rest, Strongbad really made a good case. All we REALLY lack for LotR is a battle pack with unnamed characters.

I would be interested to know that too... It is not like LotR would lack a clear good-vs-evil theme. On the contrary it even reinforces it as much with colour choices as Lego does in the castle lines (bright and shiny armour for the men and elves, dark and rusty for the orcs etc. Don't tell me any kid would think the Witch King passes as 'good' and Theoden as 'bad'). I probably should have emphazied the different size of the sets, I do not think THAT would be a problem. I may take the upcoming line, comparing the size of its set to possible GoT-sets: - 70400 Forest Ambush: could be easily done. Either multiple unnamed characters to work as battle pack or with named characters, e.g. Brienne and Jamie ambushed. -70401 Gold Getaway: again, easily done. Yoren’s Black Watch recruit cart, or a queen’s carriage etc. -70402 The Gatehouse Raid: could be one of the Waycastles on the Eyrie, or the Horse Gate of Vaes Dothrak, or a small tavern along a road -70403 Dragon Mountain: the mountain where Jon and Ghost found the Dragonglass hoard, or the funeral pyre of Khal Drogo - 70404 King's Castle: just pick on the 1000 castles... Add to it: - Davos with Mellisandre in a boat heading for the small sea cavern below Storm's End - any war galley or long boat or transport for a ship themed set - a tourney ground akin to Kingdom’s joust Etc... All of them are to scale, as far as Lego scale is concerned, and better fitting than many of the LotR-sets. The TV show made it overly dark, but yes the content of the books is pretty mature. And as usual it seems no one cares when men and orcs are slain in most gruesome ways (something that IS reenacted with Lego), but when there is a single female breast bared or more... (something certainly NOT reenacted with Lego). GRR Martin himself complained about that hypocrisy. Indeed I also don't think it will be a Lego line, but the possibilities for nice sets would be endless.

Nothing will. How did you get that impression? The TV show is somewhat limited in budget and did not feature all the books’ locations in detail, but most of them were present. The possibilities for builds are nigh endless: a) Castles of varying size and design - Castle Black: not really a Castle just a number of Towers and buildings without an enclosing wall http://gameofthrones...ki/Castle_Black - Storm’s End: One huge drum tower surrounded by a round curtain wall (NOT seen on TV) http://gameofthrones...Storm's_End - Harrenhall: the blackened ruins of a once great castle http://gameofthrones.../wiki/Harrenhal - Dragonstone: an all black, small but high castle on an Island http://gameofthrones...nstone_(castle) - Pyke: several towers and structures on multiple Islands connected via bridges http://gameofthrones...i/Pyke_(castle) - the Twins: fortified bridge http://gameofthrones.../wiki/The_Twins - Deepwood Motte: wooden hill fortress (NOT seen on TV) b) various city buildings: - Pyramids of Mereen: Egypt style (Not YET seen; will be soon on TV) - Magister’s palace in Pentos: mix of ancient and late medieval city state style http://gameofthrones...com/wiki/Pentos - The Mud Gate of King’s Landing: European medieval style gate which was the central point of the land battle at Blackwater Bay http://gameofthrones..._the_Blackwater - Horse Gate of Vaes Dothrak: two giant horses forming an entrance, no walls http://gameofthrones...ki/Vaes_Dothrak - a tourney ground http://gameofthrones...wiki/Tournament - Septs: church-like Buildings http://gameofthrones...a.com/wiki/Sept - Iron Throne room http://gameofthrones...Hall_(Red_Keep) c) ships; all factions feature large navies: - various war galleys (late medieval style) - Viking style longships of the Ironborn - various transports - supporting harbours like the one of Bravos with the Giant (like the Colossus of Rhodes) d) single buildings in the wild - various inns and taverns along the roads http://gameofthrones.../Crossroads_Inn - watchtowers: especially of course the Tower of Joy (Not seen on TV) - Craster’s Keep: a daub and wattle hall with earthen dyke around it http://gameofthrones...ster's_Keep e) structures in the wild: - fist of the First Men: similar to the Weathertop (not YET seen; will be soon on TV) - tents of the Dothraki: nomad tents - various caverns f) carts and wagons: - Night’s Watch’s prisoner cart - Dothraki cart for the weak and old - dwarf elephant drawn cart (not YET seen on TV) - King’s and Queen’s carriages in King’s Landing That is just a small selection. What makes GoT/ASOIAF so great is the fact that it features design elements stemming from multiple influences. The Tolkien franchise’s budget is higher therefore the structures in the movies appear to be bigger and more diverse, but in fact GoT/ASOIAF is at the very least on par, and imo far more diverse. It is just that some of the great buildings are either seen from a large distance or the scenes take part inside (in case of Dragonstone or Pyke e.g.) Also the TV series has the tendency to darken and dull all the bright colours of the books, unfortunately. Damn zeitgeist.

They may try but they are really not even remotely comparable in the results concerning licensed toys, books (naturally!!), games etc. And, most important: Tolkien was great, but he is dead. The franchise will never develope much. People here frequently argue that LotR/Hobbit-Lego only sells when there is a movie to push it, although I'd doubt it. Nevertheless Star Wars has a huge bandwith of NEW media content appealing to kids and adults alike, and therefore can easily push any toy sale at any given time. Tolkien-Franchise cannot do this equally well, if at all. Go in any shopping mall, book store etc.: the SW stuff outweighs the Tolkien stuff by far, and easily so. Even worse for it, GRR Martin put up some serious modern contender with GoT/ASOIAF - something that SW does not have to bother with. If any line could be to the Castle what Star Wars has been for Space, it is GoT. The ASOIAF book series is still running and there will be numerous more TV seasons of GoT. All one has to fear for Castle from Tolkien are paltry two movies with content largely known already - hardly enough to kill Castle permanently. So I think you and I can rejoice. Castle will live. I mean seriously, it survived the KK2 Power Rangers only to bring us some of the best Castle stuff after that abomination.

I always love to see GoT :) Impressive build especially the Godswood, but two small suggestions: - avoid the Tyrell colours green and gold. As you know Stark's sigil is a grey Direwolf on a field of ice-white (the TV-series added light green to it). I'd rather use the white flags, or the Wolfpack flag (it has the wrong colours but a wolf). That goes for the shields as well. - I would not use Rohirrim helmets anyway, because they are too easily recognizable and even iconic. There are some licensed pieces of armour which can go for anything, like the PoP Guards of Alamut-helmet - it is really just a pointy helmet. But that Rohirrim one makes me think FORTH EORLINGAS!! at once, and surely not WINTERFELL! Without the LotR-stuff to put one off the GoT-world and the Tyrell colours this would be much better imho.

Star Wars has a permanent presence and is extremely kid friendly, unlike the Hobbit&LotR which only comes up in waves and is rather for young adults (i.e. those who stop playing with Lego). Unless Lego is persuing a permanent license for a similar broad and long lasting medieval themed series, I do not think the Castle-line is in danger. In fact, the only med-themed series that could establish a long term presence is Game of Thrones / ASOIAF, but that hardly appeals to kids. Star Wars is so incredibly powerful because it captures a most broad audience. How dare they having childish elements in a children's toy!?

Good point, in general I think Lego is doing a good job on LotR, having seen how other companies handle licenses... Sure, Lego did blunder here and there (orcs), but once the Gondorians and other RotK-people come out to play there is little left to be desired. I personally believe the corsair ship is preparing a shift to RotK, since it is actually showing the arrival at Harlond - the turning point of the biggest RotK-battle. Back to the Orthanc, I am also a bit bewildered by the negativity sometimes shown here. Considering the constraints in creating a profitable product (piece-count etc.) the tower looks most excellent.

Excellent news! But bad news for my purse... Will need to see this close up. Still, the Orthanc is what makes this year's LotR-Lego wave extra spicy. When the first info of that wave came I was pretty sure not to buy any set, and now I am going to buy the ship, the tower and possibly the gate.

Great, any bigger photos? True enough but when there are stormtroopers in their ranks, the colour of their coats is somewhat secondary is not it?

Last stands have a romantic charm of their own... And this set would be a real good one. Not to mention Lego would not need to do new molds or prints. This set can be done with existing bricks and figures, so it should be cost effective. And not only would we get another Boromir (my fav fig too) but also Merry and Pippin again. Later iterations may only feature their Gondorian and Rohirrim dresses - I hope

From the AFOL-perspective I have to agree, and wish for the return of the forest men, the wolf pack and the falcon knights (even though I always thought of them as eagle knights...). But is this what children want? When I was a kid, I did not like the wolves or foresters, I wanted the shining knights. And yes, the new baddies are cliché but well done in that respect: dark with red on black, silver linings (black, white, red... remember?), and angular great helms; the good guys do just the opposite: light with silver, blue and gold, and round helms. I wonder if children really want cliché, but if they do, this line is right on target. But that is problem I guess. Although I wanted shining knights when I was a kid, I made up my own mind about who was good and who was evil. That is what I learned from the old knight movies of the 50ies like Ivanhoe: even the bad guys dress up nice and bright.

Interesting concept! Shame that black cannot be photographed well... Maybe if you tried a different angle and more frontal lightning for the throne?

Was I the only one thinking about Princess Vespa's luggage when reading the title...

Very good points, Lyichir! I wonder if the experiment to recreate the rural life of the ‘small folk’ paid off. I guess not, otherwise we may see it again now. I just would like to add something with regards to the colour choices. Lego has to go with people’s expectations. Somehow among adults there is the (mis-?)conception the Middle Ages were dark and gritty, full of tans and browns and greys. However in the social strata Lego usually depicts (high nobility) bright and vibrant colours were a mark of richness and nobility. Take a look at the Codex Manesse, a manuscript almost 700 years old and faded a lot. Still, you will see bright colours as to make even Lego knights look gritty. http://upload.wikime...en_(detail).jpg http://upload.wikime..._der_Setzer.jpg But what matters is what people think it was. And as of now, people want dark tones. You can observe that even in my currently favoured fiction: A song of Ice and Fire aka Game of Thrones. In the book most characters sport bright garbs and in the TV series it is all grey and dull. Ser Jorah has a proud green surcoat in the book, replaced by some sweated tans in TV. (Hell, the Ironborn in the TV series look like they are dressed in camouflage! Camouflage in pre-modern settings, that is how far we've come with this trend...). In the 50ies, when colour TV was en vogue and relatively new, they used bright colours to a point of silliness in historical movies. Lego has to follow such trends. So, the Middle Ages have to be dark for our adults, and the kids get the shinies. I generally do not like when someone tries to judge Lego by its realism – whatever that may be in a toy. It is a brand that must sell and it will try no matter what current academia research may dictate.