Rings vrs Endor - Creating Storytelling Magic

Two high budget stories have debuted on the streaming services: The Rings of Power on Prime and Andor on Disney+.

One, Andor, is highly satisfying and the reviews laud its quality. The other, The Rings of Power, is hard to watch and has received scathing reviews.

What’s the difference and what can we learn from that difference?

Rings uses a multiple approach. Many facts, locations, and situations are presented that, as of episode four, have not come together into a cohesive whole.

Andor uses a singular approach. The main character is introduced and followed through all four episodes.

The Rings approach reflects a scholarly tradition, one where facts are presented, and the case is proved in the conclusion that ends the presentation.

Rings is logical. Andor is emotional. Walt once said, “Others have hit the intellect. We can hit them in an emotional way. Those who appeal to the intellect only appeal to a very limited group.”

The irony is that the original Lord of the Rings films were emotional. They followed one set of characters–hobbits–and used their adventures as a starting point to expand into the Lord of the Rings universe. Rings has not heeded that lesson.

The moral of this tale? If you want to capture and maintain attention, and move people to action, go with emotion. It delivers storytelling magic.