Show Review: ‘The Rings of Power’ Season Two, Ep 1-3: What Tolkien Fans Will Love (And Hate)
Image courtesy of Amazon Studios
***BEWARE THERE ARE FULL SPOILERS BELOW***
A while back I saw someone on TikTok mention they like to think of The Rings of Power like fanfiction. It’s set in a world we love, with characters we would ride at dawn for, or new imagined ones, and new storylines with nods to the canon content, but it’s a new interpretation of the source material. I like this take. Is The Rings of Power Tolkien canon? Absolutely not. Does it have to be? Also no. Stay with me. If we’re looking at this series as a completely new take on Tolkien’s legendarium, and not a ‘remake’ or straight adaptation, it makes it so much easier to enjoy and not get as hung up on the details that don’t fit our vision of what Tolkien’s world is supposed to be (don’t worry, I still get hung up on details some of the time—I can’t help myself). So yes, I watched the first three episodes of Season Two, and there was a lot to love. It’s not perfect, but I definitely can’t wait to watch the next episode. I also binged Season One again in preparation and remembered so many things I loved about it (it’s been two years after all), and also things I didn’t.
I would consider myself a lifelong superfan of Tolkien. I grew up reading the books, and watched the animated version of The Hobbit in Second Grade (still have nightmares from Gollum). I spent my entire AP English class my senior year of High School proving The Lord of the Rings was a book of literary merit by using it for every literary devices assignment. I dressed up as Galadriel for the midnight showing of The Return of the King in theators in 2003. And I’ve continued my love of reading and collecting Tolkien’s work, and interpretations of his works over the years. Some are better than others. And I won’t lie, Season One of The Rings of Power made me nervous. I was so excited to be back in Tolkien’s world, but was worried it was going to be butchered by red tape and lack of access to the source material. And while there were absolutely things I was super disappointed in, I still believe this show captures the overall vibe of Middle-earth—if a more modern take.
One of the things I really appreciate of this series is the fan service to fans of Peter Jackson’s LOTR. Little things are sprinkled all over the place if you pay attention. Like Nori and Poppy hiding from the Easterling assassins as a little nod to Frodo and Sam hiding in front of the gates to Mordor in the same way. Poppy is essentially Merry (she drops the well bucket rope and the bell dings all the way down, which is very reminicent of Merry in the Mines of Moria. Fool of a Took!
They’ve replaced the actor for Adar, who I have to say, did a fantastic job. It was a pretty seemless transition. And it’s interesting seeing his motivations for what he’s doing. He genuinely seems to care about the Orcs and their freedom from Morgoth (and Sauron). We also get a new Dark Wizard character, and I love Ciaran Hinds (you might know him as Aberforth Dumbledore). I was honestly wondering how they were going to tie in those three sorcerors from Season One. So they’re after our lovely friend traveling with Nori (I’m still 99% sure he’s going to be Gandalf). It’s also quite tragic knowing what’s going to happen to Celebrimbor, and knowing there’s nothing that can stop it. Sauron as Annatar is actually so good. The little knowing looks he sneaks in when he’s manipulating everyone is so on point. It’s actually been fascinating seeing how they’ve create a morally grey version of him in this series. We know he’s evil, and we know what he’s going to do, but there were moments when Halbrand seemed redeemable. As an enemies to lovers fan, I’ve been loving his character. It’s definitely an interesting direction they’ve chosen, and I’m curious how much they’re going to change to the story. I’m very much looking forward to he and Galadriel interacting again. But Celeborn, where are you?!
Something I’m a bit worried about though is the actual meat of the storylines. They’ve absolutely butchered the actual timelines, so many characters are overlapping that didn’t exist at the same time in Tolkien’s history. So we’ve got a lot of disparate stories happening at once, out of chronological order. And because of this, I honestly don’t think much is going to happen this season. I mean, the rings are going to be made, we might get some answers around Gandalf, a coup in Númenor, and that’s pretty much it. Right? I could be wrong, but we’re already three episodes in, and we’ve only got the elven rings. Are Nori and Poppy going to see some Oliphants?! That would honestly be amazing.
What I loved:
The Linden sets. I want to move there, please. It’s definitely given Rivendell a run for its money.
Isildur’s horse. The real hero of the first three episodes. Obsessed (how terrifying were those spiders?!).
Speaking of, the nod to Shelob?! Awesome…and horrifying at the same time.
The moment the light of the Valor came back to the tree. So beautiful.
Really enjoyed the little Sauron backstory and betrayal by Adar.
I don’t care what anyone says, I love the Harfoots. “Nobody walks off trail. And nobody walks alone.”
Durin and the Dwarves. Literally any scene that Disa is in.
Elrond. I love him so much, but they still did him dirty with the GenZ mop hair and no sideburns. I know, I know, I’m still hung up on the elf hair (or lack of it).
Gil-galad’s singing was actually so lovely! And very in the spirit of Tolkien, I might add.
Loved seeing the dead marshes, but I thought they weren’t created until after the great war??? Also, it’s the wrong spot? Someone help me out with this one.
Arondir having some legolas fighting moments again.
Miriel’s bracelet to get into the tower—so cool.
What I didn’t:
Did they really have to kill off Bronwyn and leave my boy Arondir grieving like that?!
Admittedly, the timeline is all OVER the place and doesn’t line up with Tolkien’s…at all.
This might seem weird, but the ring designs? I dunno, Nenya just seems…super awkwardly big. And the uncut gem? They’re still pretty, but I guess, not how I imagined them (which is ok!).
I still hate that they’re treating Elrond like he isn’t actually Elven royalty. I get it, but it’s still annoying.
Could have done without the Sauron goop monster. The whole timeline of that was also confusing.
Speaking of the Elves, I still don’t feel like they seem ethereal enough to me. The hair was definitely better this season, but they don’t have that otherness feeling to me. Please, please give them some sideburns, I beg you.
Earien’s storyline is super frustrating to me. How could she betray her father like that?!
So let me know in the comments (and keep it respectful, please), what did you think of the first three episodes? Better than Season One? Likes, dislikes?
Fun little fact: Jed Brophy, a New Zealand actor who played a bunch of different Orcs in Peter Jackson’s films, and again in The Hobbit films, once again dons prosthetics and plays several Orcs in The Rings of Power. So cool he’s been part of acting in Tolkien’s world for so long.
Reading LOTR for the first time and not sure where to start? Head here for my ultimate guide to reading The Lord of the Rings.
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