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 Jacksonโs The Lord of the Rings adaptation, despite there being little source material from J.R.R. Tolkienโs 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 Nรบmenรณreans and Southlanders must face the aftermath of the battle with Adarโs (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 Tolkienโs world to screen, though not without controversy. Morfydd Clarkโs casting as Galadriel (famously played by Cate Blanchett in Jacksonโs Lord of the Rings), as well as the characterโs 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 Jacksonโs elves brought to the world. Clarkโs Galadriel is the antithesis of Blanchettโs Galadriel โ and many viewers struggle to reconcile that this is the same character we know and adore from Jacksonโs films. On the other hand, Annatar/Sauron (Charlie Vickers) has the same ethereal grace that Jacksonโs 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 Nomveteโs 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-Robinsonโs portrayal of Miriel. Having lost her vision in season 1, Miriel now grapples with declaring her claim to the throne of Nรบmenor while fending off her cousin Pharazon (Trystan Gravelle). Mirielโs nobility in the face of adversity creates a powerful storyline that Addai-Robinson delivers beautifully.
Unburdened by the constraints of a filmโs running time, the series has had the unique ability to experiment with genre. This new spin on Tolkienโs 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 seasonโs was phenomenal. The second seasonโs score, though more subtle, has won me over completely. Filled with epic themes like Army of Orcs and Forgiveness Takes an Age, this seasonโs score is the perfect accompaniment to this new edition of Tolkienโs world. Bear McCrearyโs The Sun Yet Shines perfectly encapsulates the showโs themes. Then again, I would expect no less from Bear McCreary. My one complaint is that I wish Nomvetโs 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 Nรบmenรณreans 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 seriesโ season 1 costumes lacked dimension and authenticity. However, there has been a change to the Nรบmenรณrean 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 Nรบmenรณrean wardrobe.
The Rings of Power richly rewards Tolkien fans for their patience. It is a must-see, and I canโt wait to watch how these new chapters of Middle-earth unfold in season 3.