For whatever it might be worth, this series is being produced by New Line Cinema (which produced the movie trilogy) rather than Amazon, and is being directed by an experienced Japanese director (Kenji Kamiyama, the Ghost in the Shell guy). Also the story they're adapting is that of the Rohirrim king Helm Hammerhand, whose tale starts off with him fat-shaming some jackass and punching the latter so hard he dies - not exactly something that can be made woke easily.
'To one of these councils Freca rode with many men, and he asked the hand of Helm's daughter for his son Wulf. But Helm said: "You have grown big since you were last here; but it is mostly fat, I guess"; and men laughed at that, for Freca was wide in the belt.
'Then Freca fell in a rage and reviled the king, and said this at the last: "Old kings that refuse a proffered staff may fall on their knees." Helm answered: "Come! The marriage of your son is a trifle. Let Helm and Freca deal with it later. Meanwhile the king and his council have matters of moment to consider."
When the council was over, Helm stood up and laid his great hand on Freca's shoulder, saying: "The king does not permit brawls in his house, but men are freer outside"; and he forced Freca to walk before him out from Edoras into the field. To Freca's men that came up he said: "Be off! We need no hearers. We are going to speak of a private matter alone. Go and talk to my men!" And they looked and saw that the king's men and his friends far outnumbered them, and they drew back.'
"Now, Dunlending," said the king, "you have only Helm to deal with, alone and unarmed. But you have said much already, and it is my turn to speak. Freca, your folly has grown with your belly. You talk of a staff! If Helm dislikes a crooked staff that is thrust on him, he breaks it. So!" With that he smote Freca such a blow with his fist that he fell back stunned, and died soon after. 'Helm then proclaimed Freca's son and near kin the king's enemies; and they fled, for at once Helm sent many men riding to the west marches.'
For whatever it might be worth, this series is being produced by New Line Cinema (which produced the movie trilogy) rather than Amazon, and is being directed by an experienced Japanese director (Kenji Kamiyama, the Ghost in the Shell guy). Also the story they're adapting is that of the Rohirrim king Helm Hammerhand, whose tale starts off with him fat-shaming some jackass and punching the latter so hard he dies - not exactly something that can be made woke easily.
Truly a based story