As a seasoned fan of J.R.R Tolkien’s epic masterpiece, I can confidently say that Charlotte’s take on “The Rings of Power” is nothing short of breathtaking. The way she weaves the complex dynamics between Sauron and Celebrimbor is both chilling and captivating, drawing us deeper into Middle-earth’s intricate web of power and corruption.
🚨 WARNING: This write-up discloses key plot points from the initial three episodes of Season 2 of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
Gather up your rings and your companions, as we prepare to revisit Middle-earth with “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” for its second season!
As a dedicated cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that Charlotte Brändström, the acclaimed Swedish director behind the stellar episodes “Udûn” and “The Eye” from Season 1 of our favorite show, is back this year with double the number of episodes! You can find her work in Episodes 1, 3, 7, and 8 of Season 2. While juggling her role as a director on the prequel to “Lord of the Rings,” she’s also delved into the gritty realms of “John Wick” for the Peacock miniseries “The Continental” and the feudal Japan landscape through FX’s Emmy-favorite “Shōgun.” Her skill in creating high-octane action sequences is evident, with her “Shōgun” episode “Tomorrow Is Tomorrow” boasting an unforgettable ship battle scene.
In Season 1, Brändström was instrumental in constructing the notorious Mount Doom of Mordor during the blazing episode titled “Udûn.” This episode earned a Creative Arts Emmy nomination for its exceptional sound editing. The episode showcased intense orc battles, the explosive eruption of Mount Doom and the subsequent cloud of ash. In this season, she continues to escalate the chaos in Middle-earth by contributing to two episodes of the three-part premiere and the concluding episodes of the season, which feature a colossal, multi-segment battle sequence.
Season 2 starts off by revealing Sauron’s origins thousands of years ago in a prologue. In a surprise twist, Jack Lowden (“Slow Horses”) plays an earlier form of the evil elf who gets murdered by a pack of orcs. Sauron is later reborn out of some evil-looking black goo, and he takes the familiar form of star Charlie Vickers. We see this early Sauron get taken in and clothed by a kind stranger on the road, but Sauron betrays the man and doesn’t save him when they get swept away by a flood. The premiere then connects to Season 1 when Sauron, disguised as Halbrand, meet Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) after being shipwrecked and drifting in the water on a raft.
Returning to the central narrative, Galadriel unveils Sauron’s hidden identity and the backstory behind Celebrimbor’s ring-making (Charles Edwards). Sharing this revelation with Elrond (Robert Aramayo) and Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker), we all feel an ominous, sinister draw from the rings. However, none of us can foresee the cataclysmic events that lie ahead. As a movie critic, I find myself on the edge of my seat, anticipating the unfolding drama.
Currently, Sauron is imprisoned by Adar, portrayed by Sam Hazeldine following Joseph Mawle’s initial role in Season 1. With the orcs of Mordor at his side, Sauron recognizes his ability to manipulate elves, yet for now, he offers allegiance to Adar. By employing a cunning magical ploy, Sauron summons a wolf to assault his captor, allowing him to break free and gallop away on horseback.
Following the excitement surrounding his true persona, the enigmatic figure, known as Daniel Weyman’s character, reappears, exhibiting slightly more command over his abilities. Accompanied by the endearing harfoot Nori (Markella Kavenagh), they traverse the arid landscapes of Rhûn. As the story progresses, Nori’s friend Poppy (Megan Richards) joins them, though it remains uncertain if there are more individuals trailing behind. The premiere episode concludes with a suspenseful twist as Sauron resurfaces to confer with Celebrimbor at his forge where the first three rings were created.
Using ‘EbMaster’, Brändström delves into orchestrating a force of 200 orcs during the opening performance, creating Sauron’s introduction, and explaining the parallels between Celebrimbor and his rings, and J. Robert Oppenheimer and the atomic bomb.
1. How has your experience of directing the two episodes from the previous season influenced you, and in what ways did that impact your methodology for handling the four fresh episodes?
Last season’s episodes served as a foundation for the current one, establishing a darker atmosphere and grittier narrative style. This time around, we delve deeper into the characters, jumping straight in without any preamble. The story becomes more intense due to increased drama and conflict. Although the grandeur remains, we’ve managed to reduce exposition, making it less expository and more immersive. We needed that initial season to lay the groundwork, as there were numerous worlds to explore and many elements to introduce.
In our preparations for the second season, we delved deeply into both cinematic and visual aspects to determine the right aesthetic. Our goal was to infuse a grittier, more authentic feel, although “dirty” might not be the exact term I intended! I aimed for raw, edgy, and dangerous instead. Additionally, I wanted to incorporate natural elements extensively, such as dust, wind, rain, and mud, to make everything seem incredibly real. The films that guided us during this process were “Saving Private Ryan” and “The Northman,” particularly appreciating the intense battles in “The Northman” and its long, uninterrupted shots. In Episode 8, I planned a significant action sequence that was filmed in a single take with one camera after extensive rehearsals. The scene was executed surprisingly quickly, taking just two hours to complete – a feat that left everyone astonished as it was scheduled for an entire day, and we only required five takes to finish.
What else can you tease about this massive battle?
The upcoming episodes 6, 7, and 8 form an extended sequence of intense conflict. This battle will span across three episodes, featuring not just action but also several poignant, heartfelt, and deeply emotional scenes involving our characters. Despite these interruptions, the battle continues to unfold.
How did you come up with the idea for the initial scenes, which reveal Sauron’s past and his evolution into the character we recognize as Halbrand today?
Originally planned for Episode 6 in Season 1, but there wasn’t enough space then, so it was saved for this season instead. To kick off the new season, they chose to provide a retrospective glance, and I believe it’s an astute move to delve into Sauron’s character. The showrunners aim to portray that even villainous characters are complex, not merely one-dimensional; they possess intricate layers.
In Season 1, how long elapses from the first appearance of Sauron’s original form to his encounter with Galadriel disguised as Halbrand?
The time span between when Frodo encounters Galadriel initially, then later when he returns and is reborn spans thousands of years. Initially, we see Sauron in his first form, which is depicted as a blob-like creature thousands of years prior. When Sauron transforms into Halbrand and meets Galadriel for the second time (six months after his rebirth and acquisition of clothing), he encounters an old man on the road.
In my view, he’s not strictly an entirely wicked character, as Tolkien pointed out that nothing is inherently evil. At first, Sauron wasn’t completely evil either. When he encounters the old man on the road, with dark clouds looming over the trees, and decides to travel with the people onto the ship, he isn’t aware of his future actions. He hasn’t yet decided what path he will take. I believe it is when the sea monster attacks the ship, causing it to sink, and the old man pleads for help, but he chooses not to act, that he makes the crucial decision shaping him into the being he becomes.
In my understanding, he seemed to be planning an attack and waiting for the perfect opportunity. Could there possibly be a benevolent aspect to Sauron?
Instead of aiming for a specific turning point, we intended his storyline to represent a crucial decision-making moment. He’s been grappling with this choice, but the character’s essence was a topic of much debate during our discussions with showrunners at the outset. Despite his proclamation about healing Middle-earth, there’s a good-natured intent hidden behind his actions. He’s not here to cause destruction, but rather to provide a home – in a sense, a refuge – for his offspring, much like Adar. However, Sauron’s ultimate goal is to aid everyone, but he desires this help with unparalleled power and the One Ring. Throughout the season, we delve into how Sauron will execute his plans, starting from nothing, isolated without an army, and gradually working towards conquering Middle-earth while persuading Celebrimbor to forge the ring for him.
Who holds more power in their initial encounters: Sauron or Celebrimbor – that’s the question at stake?
I firmly stand by the conviction that Celebrimbor often believes he maintains the advantage, but unbeknownst to him, Sauron manipulates him. Through deceitful means, Sauron implants thoughts within Celebrimbor’s mind and exerts control over him continually. In Episode 8, there is a powerful confrontation between the two of them that promises to be nothing short of spectacular. On occasion, I liken Celebrimbor to Oppenheimer. After all, just like Oppenheimer, he was creating something of immense power without fully comprehending its consequences. He didn’t want things to unfold as they ultimately did.
It’s plausible that Tolkien may not have directly considered contemporary issues while writing, given he penned his stories during the First World War. However, what makes his tales captivating is their enduring relevance to modern times. They resonate because they delve into themes such as power and corruption. The One Ring serves as a symbol of ultimate destructive power that could potentially annihilate Middle-earth and our world.
How difficult was it to shoot all the orcs in the opening sequence?
For our production this year, we required 200 orc actors as extras. We opted to enhance the orcs with more practical effects like prosthetics, rather than digital visual effects. Our aim was to make them appear as authentic as possible. Each prosthetic application took several hours per extra. Due to the large number of makeup artists needed, we didn’t have a constant flow in the morning when extras were arriving. Instead, I would start with a few orcs in the morning, and their numbers would gradually increase throughout the day – from five, then ten, then twenty, then fifty, and finally two hundred for a three-hour period. After that, I had to send them back. I knew I only had three hours to capture all the shots requiring a large cast due to our tight schedule. Although we felt we had more time compared to previous episodes, we were still under constant pressure because of the logistical complexities. This show offers a lot of creative freedom, but it’s also very technically demanding, so thorough planning is crucial. There’s simply no room for improvisation.
Finally, what can you tease about where the rest of the season is headed?
Everything centers on Sauron, whose complex bond with Celebrimbor is crucial, as it’s through this relationship that Sauron manipulates Celebrimbor into crafting potent weapons capable of devastating Middle-earth. Yet, Sauron harbors a desire to mend the land; he believes his actions are righteous. The question remains whether Sauron and Adar will clash. As for Sauron and Adar, their future interactions may lead to mutual destruction. Elrond and Galadriel share an exceptional camaraderie, with Elrond taking center stage in Episode 7. Lastly, there are the Númenóreans, the politics they govern, the enigmatic Stranger, and the hobbits.
The stakes have significantly escalated. Not only is there increased peril, but we’ve delved deeper into the characters, making their situations all the more tense. As the story progresses, it seems to be building up to an explosive climax.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
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2024-08-29 16:18