As a jewelry enthusiast with a keen eye for design and a heart filled with gold, I must say, the rings presented in “The Rings of Power” have left me rather underwhelmed. Coming from someone who’s spent countless hours admiring intricate jewels at the Louvre and Tiffany & Co., these rings seem to fall short of their intended grandeur.
It’s hard to ignore that the show, titled “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power“, repeatedly emphasizes its theme of rings possessing power. This theme is expressed in various ways – with excitement, then a sense of foreboding, and ultimately despair – around 87 times across seven episodes. So, it’s safe to say that the “rings” in question are those of power.
It’s not too far-fetched to say that The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power (TROP) has a deep affection for its central artifacts, as they play a significant role in the storyline. The power struggle between Sauron and Celebrimbor over crafting rings for dwarves and men forms this season’s main conflict, and the performances by Charlie Vickers and Charles Edwards are impressive. Moreover, TROP attempts to recreate the intricate ring lore from J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, such as Galadriel addressing her ring, Nenya, by name. However, one aspect that seems overlooked in TROP is a detailed exploration of the rings themselves – their appearance and the symbolism they hold for the characters who bear them.
In essence, the TROP (The One Ring Parody) should be able to portray the significance of the rings without requiring additional Tolkien literature. Instead, let’s delve deeper into the aesthetics and craftsmanship behind these iconic Middle-earth jewels, offering a glimpse into Celebrimbor’s creative process—a kind of ‘Project Runway’ for the Elven smith.
Initially, it was Celebrimbor who crafted the elven rings, using mithril that Elrond referred to as our “one and only hope.” However, later these very same rings became a reason for Elrond’s doubt and suspicion. In Peter Jackson’s The Fellowship of the Ring, here’s a refresher on what the elven rings appeared like:
In these versions, we find: Narya, bearing a red gem, held by Círdan; Vilya, adorned with a blue gem, in the possession of High King Gil-galad; and Nenya, having a clear gem, bestowed upon Galadriel. (Thus far in the story, only Galadriel’s ring has been revealed.)
Isn’t it a bit unusual that Narya and Vilya are made of gold instead of silver? I was thinking, wouldn’t it make sense for Narya and Nenya to be crafted from the same metal considering their similar names? Additionally, I’m puzzled by the difference in designs between Círdan and Gil-galad’s rings, which have inset gems, and Galadriel’s ring, which has a more vulnerable gumball-style setting. As a commander and a warrior, it seems more practical for her to have a ring that isn’t likely to catch on things as she battles through hordes of Uruk warriors.
Look at this thing, it’s huge! The proportions just don’t make sense.
It’s a bit disappointing that Gil-galad sets aside all his other accessories, marked down from Free People, after acquiring Vilya. Let’s compare the before and after – it seems like relinquishing one’s regal flair is part of being a High King. But where’s the fun in royalty if you can’t add a touch of Liberace-style sparkle?
Credit where it’s due: Círdan shaving his face with a giant iridescent shell while wearing Narya is an incredible image. Ben Daniels’s charming smirk has not convinced me, though. The elves’ rings could have been more elegant or at least more uniform in look.
Moving forward to the dwarf lords in their stone fortresses (with King Durin III being the notable exception among these dwarf lords). Celebrimbor’s design blueprint for these rings, crafted with mithril mined from Khazad-dûm and under the personal guidance of Annatar, could be likened to Ring Pops. These creations are immense and incredibly intriguing.
I admire the consistency of the dwarven rings. If Celebrimbor were a fashion designer, he’d have created an impressive collection where you could easily recognize the unity behind each piece. They all share similar characteristics – gold material, similar size and shape, and a triangular top piece – yet they remain unique due to the selection of individual gems. The dramatic pyramid heads and rectangular shoulders give off a mountainous vibe, a connection that TROP emphasizes beautifully with a skillful fade edit.
I’m captivated by the ominous allure of these rings, particularly their massive jewels and robust bands. Among Durin’s collection, this vibrant blue ring catches my gaze immediately. It could be that Celebrimbor designed the dwarves’ rings to be showy due to their natural inclination towards hoarding, which might have been amplified by Sauron’s corrupting influence. However, there’s also a deliberate artistic flair, and I must admit, I’d love to own this stunning piece. The Infinity Stones can’t compare to the dwarf-lords’ rings!
Finally, it was the nine rings crafted by Sauron’s own blood that ultimately led to Celebrimbor’s (and Eregion’s) downfall. When Celebrimbor acknowledged the inherent weakness of men regarding these rings, it provided a perfect moment for Charles Edwards’ subtle glance and serves as a hint for LOTR fans about the impending arrival of the ringwraiths!
It’s disappointing, you might say, that the “nine rings for mortal men destined to perish” plotline occupied such a significant portion of the latter part of the season and presented rather unremarkable jewelry. Could it be that Celebrimbor is reluctant about this endeavor? This idea is hinted at when we catch glimpses of his discarded designs, which are not his finest work.
It’s possible that Celebrimbor struggles to infuse as much detail or personality into the human rings because he may not have had personal connections with humans like he did with elves and dwarves. Alternatively, since his interactions with humans from Númenor seem limited, it might be challenging for him to create unique pieces without knowing them better. Regardless of the reason, it’s clear that the human rings in this show appear overly ornate and tacky compared to those crafted for elves and dwarves.
The gold setting and the aqua stone clash; plus, the prongs are too big.
There seems to be no unifying theme among these various band widths, metal shades, and gemstones on Celebrimbor’s workbench; it appears as if an old, disorganized vending machine filled with toy rings has exploded there. Does this suggest that Celebrimbor is secretly involved in the management of Oriental Trading Co., or perhaps Eregion is where the elven lands produce party favors?
To whom does this false Gothic ring adorned with a black gemstone belong? Is it Criss Angel, the enigmatic Dougie from The Curse, or Johnny Depp who secretly resembles a Ringwraith in disguise? You’re far more distinguished than this trinket sold at Hot Topic, Celebrimbor.
Although I may not be, for any jewelry enthusiasts out there, I wear a size nine! I particularly shine in gold! If you could provide me with just a tad more information about your trinket compared to what “The Rings of Power” disclosed this season, I’d be more than happy to embrace it as my treasure.
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2024-10-01 18:54