As a longtime fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth saga, I have eagerly anticipated Amazon’s “The Rings of Power.” However, after watching the first half of Season 2, I find myself more bewildered than enchanted by this dense thicket of lore. It feels like turning up to a college lecture without having done the required reading – or in this case, without having read all of “The Silmarillion” and other Tolkien tomes.
As I settle to pen my thoughts about ‘The Rings of Power’ Season 2, several striking scenes come to mind. For example, a group of butterflies transforms into a human-like figure, which is quite intriguing. Also, there’s a moving scene where a chorus of singers harmonizes with the earth in a beautiful display. Lastly, a pack of spiders surrounds an unfortunate captive, and their lair reeks so intensely that it seems almost tangible.
I struggle to find any compelling characters or emotions that resonate with me in this Amazon drama, “The Rings of Power.” Despite its massive budget and all the hype surrounding it as a prequel to “The Lord of the Rings,” the initial reception from critics was polite but critical. They appreciated the show’s impressive world-building, yet pointed out that the story didn’t quite match up. Unfortunately, with viewers, “The Rings of Power” failed to make an impact, much like the echo of a thud heard in the dwarf settlement of Khazad-dûm. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, only 37% of domestic viewers who started the eight-episode series finished it. This is far from satisfactory for a typical release, let alone the flagship production on a streaming service’s history.
The second season fails to provide evidence that the drop in viewership will be halted. Regarding the creative aspect, the initial leeway for this elaborate adaptation of Tolkien’s works has come to an end – some might argue that a production granted such extensive resources should have been given this leniency from the start. (It’s worth noting that expectations for “The Rings of Power” were influenced by Jeff Bezos’ rumored demand for Amazon’s counterpart to “Game of Thrones,” which meant it would be compared not only to Peter Jackson’s trilogy but also before its premiere.) With a shape-shifting Sauron revealed and the initial rings created, “The Rings of Power” has the slightest hint of narrative progression. However, the second episode of this series, as visually stunning yet devoid of depth like a kitchen backsplash, retains the same issues as the first, with little hope that these problems will be resolved in the future.
In the Second Age of Middle Earth, during the time period between the legendary past described in “The Silmarillion” and the epic events of “The Lord of the Rings,” the series “The Rings of Power” grapples with a common issue for prequels: while it is widely understood that Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) will ultimately be unable to prevent Sauron (Charlie Vickers) from creating the One Ring and gaining power in Mordor, and that Isildur (Maxim Baldry), a human warrior, will eventually cut the Ring from Sauron’s hand, killing his physical form but not ending his malevolent influence. Still, there is a dedicated group of fans eager to witness the depiction of Isildur’s hometown, Númenor, an advanced yet doomed human city, or the nomadic ancestors of hobbits, the harfoots. For the rest, it’s essential to create tension or pique curiosity that doesn’t rely on a predetermined outcome.
As a movie enthusiast, I find myself in the unique position of reviewing “The Rings of Power,” a series that takes a distinctly different approach from its predecessors like “Better Call Saul” and “House of the Dragon.” Unlike these shows steeped in tragedy, “The Rings of Power” aims for a lighter, more optimistic tone, veering away from the darker themes that are often associated with them. This choice is reflective of the showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne, as well as their corporate backers, and aligns with the original source material, which was rooted in a children’s novel, “The Hobbit.”
As a devoted film enthusiast, I must confess that the darkest thread woven through Season 2 of this captivating series is undeniably its grimmest strand. Discarding his guise as King Halbrand of the Southlands and Galadriel’s ally, Sauron now masquerades as Annatar – a supposed envoy from the divine Valar. With this new identity, Sauron skillfully exploits the vanity and innocence of elven blacksmith Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards), manipulating him to create not just one but three rings, saving the Elves from decay and granting their bearers prophetic visions.
This narrative delves into the subtle decay caused by evil’s influence, instilling doubt and ambition in those who are virtuous. Edwards portrays Celebrimbor’s growing unease with poignant self-questioning. In Khazad-dûm, Prince Durin (Owain Arthur) and his wife Disa (Sophia Nomvete) grapple with the dark influence of a ring on the newly greedy and reckless king (Peter Mullan). The downfall of Middle Earth, as dwarves, elves, orcs, and men struggle for dominance, is more heartbreaking because “The Rings of Power” so powerfully depicts the grandeur that’s being lost.
In “The Rings of Power,” a complex and intricate backstory shrouded in depth by Tolkien’s lore unfolds, leaving those unwilling or unable to explore his extensive details perplexed. The prologue introduces an earlier manifestation of Sauron, portrayed by Jack Lowden from “Slow Horses,” in a surprising appearance, confronting an orc uprising led by Adar (Joseph Mawle). This rebellion was responsible for the Mount Doom eruption and the creation of Mordor in one of the standout episodes from Season 1. Unfortunately, I can’t explain why these two groups are at odds, nor why Sauron decides to conceal himself during his initial visit to Mordor, only to alter his path towards Celebrimbor’s stronghold instead.
Besides me, it was hard to decipher the multiple political groups vying for power in Númenor, which only made an appearance in one episode during the initial part of the season and seemed significant, though not clearly so. There are hints of religious motives and anti-Elvish bias, but the roots and reasons behind these factions remain unclear. I often struggled to understand how different storylines connected with each other, and at times wished for a “Game of Thrones”-like map that could help navigate through the episodes.
Instead of an exhilarating feeling of exploration, “The Rings of Power” seems to evoke a hazy discombobulation, similar to attending a university lecture without having read the assigned material in advance. It’s possible that this sense of bewilderment might be due to personal misunderstandings, but it appears I’m not the only one feeling this way. When I mentioned my review was for this season to a family member, they were taken aback, unaware that there even was a show set in Middle Earth. We soon discovered they had watched the entirety of Season 1 and failed to recall not just the specifics, but its very existence as well.
The issue with “The Rings of Power” lies in its struggle to convey importance or fundamental aspects, which is closely tied to its struggles in developing unique, captivating characters with defining characteristics and amusing quirks. While Sauron is a well-known villain, his portrayal here lacks the intrigue of a subtle undercover agent compared to his ominous presence in Season 1. The protagonists tend to adhere to character types either established by Tolkien (young, naive hobbits embarking on a quest with a wizard) or popular culture (the strong female character, which suits the younger Galadriel particularly well). Romances feel forced and sudden, and the dialogue often feels wooden — such as “It’s strange how what is left behind can be the heaviest burden to bear.” I find myself more aware that I’m supposed to find the harfoots endearing than actually finding them so. Disa, played by Nomvete, comes closest to fulfilling her role as a source of amusement, but overall, the show lacks the necessary sparks and surprises, functioning merely as a faithful tribute without much life.
Amazon launched a highly visible and extensive marketing campaign prior to the debut of “The Rings of Power”, which was one of the most noticeable in recent history. However, since then, the intensity of this promotional strategy has diminished; for instance, when my laundry detergent arrived recently, there was no branded advertisement for Prime’s flagship IP on the packaging. This could suggest that the show’s platform is acknowledging its potential limited audience appeal. If you’re someone who looks forward to encountering Tom Bombadil (played by Rory Kinnear), a quaint, whimsical character left out of the Jackson films, then “The Rings of Power” is tailored for you. On the other hand, if you aren’t interested, it isn’t – and it no longer seems to be trying to change your mind about it.
Beginning on August 29th, the initial three instalments of “The Rings of Power” will debut on Amazon Prime Video. New episodes will then be released every Thursday thereafter.
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2024-08-28 16:18