It has been a long two-year wait for Tolkien fans, but Amazon has richly rewarded them for their patience. The Rings of Power is a prequel to the events of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings adaptation, despite there being little source material from J.R.R. Tolkien’s works. Premiering in September 2022, the show has amassed more than 150 million global viewers, according to Jennifer Salke, the head of Amazon studios. Each season consists of eight gripping episodes.
The series weaves multiple storylines together featuring various men, elves, dwarves and hobbits. While season 1 focuses on the dying tree of Lindon and the identity of The Stranger (Daniel Weyman), season 2 takes a heavier tone. Both Númenóreans and Southlanders must face the aftermath of the battle with Adar’s (Sam Hazeldine) orcs while Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and The Stranger go on a quest to find where The Stranger belongs while unknowingly putting a target on their backs.
The cast of The Rings of Power do a captivating job of translating Tolkien’s world to screen, though not without controversy. Morfydd Clark’s casting as Galadriel (famously played by Cate Blanchett in Jackson’s Lord of the Rings), as well as the character’s overall portrayal has been a point of contention for the Tolkien fandom. Some critics have argued that what The Rings of Power lacks is the ethereal presence that Jackson’s elves brought to the world. Clark’s Galadriel is the antithesis of Blanchett’s Galadriel – and many viewers struggle to reconcile that this is the same character we know and adore from Jackson’s films. On the other hand, Annatar/Sauron (Charlie Vickers) has the same ethereal grace that Jackson’s elves have.
With complex culture and relationships, there is rich storytelling in the portrayal of the dwarves. The complex relationship between King Durin III (Peter Mullan) and his son, Durin IV (Owain Arthur), was one of the most compelling. My favourite performance of the series has been Sophia Nomvete’s Disa, who thankfully gets more screen time this season. Her delivery, comedic timing and micro expressions are a masterclass in turning a supporting dwarven character into an immediate fan favourite.
Another of my favourite performances is Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s portrayal of Miriel. Having lost her vision in season 1, Miriel now grapples with declaring her claim to the throne of Númenor while fending off her cousin Pharazon (Trystan Gravelle). Miriel’s nobility in the face of adversity creates a powerful storyline that Addai-Robinson delivers beautifully.
Unburdened by the constraints of a film’s running time, the series has had the unique ability to experiment with genre. This new spin on Tolkien’s universe feels grittier, with higher stakes and a surprising amount of jump scares. The horror elements have easily become one of my favourite aspects of the show.
When it comes to the score, there is no mistaking that the first season’s was phenomenal. The second season’s score, though more subtle, has won me over completely. Filled with epic themes like Army of Orcs and Forgiveness Takes an Age, this season’s score is the perfect accompaniment to this new edition of Tolkien’s world. Bear McCreary’s The Sun Yet Shines perfectly encapsulates the show’s themes. Then again, I would expect no less from Bear McCreary. My one complaint is that I wish Nomvet’s Disa had more dwarven mountain hymns.
While the costumes have improved since season 1, I would have liked to have seen more dynamic costume pieces. Last season, we saw Númenóreans don rich turquoises, browns and creams juxtaposed with flat-looking materials. The original costumes seen in The Lord of the Rings were fully functional and included layers, but the series’ season 1 costumes lacked dimension and authenticity. However, there has been a change to the Númenórean colour palette. To me, these new pieces appear to be inspired by ancient Rome but have deeper and cooler tones. Reds, greys and gold all make an appearance in the Númenórean wardrobe.
The Rings of Power richly rewards Tolkien fans for their patience. It is a must-see, and I can’t wait to watch how these new chapters of Middle-earth unfold in season 3.
