But it's still falling into the "village of the week" trap by being so absurdly quick. 8 episodes isn't enough for a proper story arc and it's showing.

I don't even hate or dislike it, the changes are whatever to be. The issue is that for something which is clearly trying to reference the LotR films it totally misses what made the first half of The Fellowship movies great. You get the flashback, which introduces the premise of the film, the lead villain, what orcs are, what elves are and what the steaks are. After that you dive right into the Shire, it gives you time to live in it, it makes you feel at home. Then when Frodo and Sam are forced to leave you feel that pain and how hard it is for them.

tEotW did this really well too, which is why for all it's very derivative, it is still a very satisfying book. The show misses that mark quite badly and like I said, falling into Legend of the Seeker 'village of the week' territory. It makes the whole show feel quite cheap when clearly there has been a lot of money involved in it.