The first season kicked the show off to a difficult start (Picture: Ross Ferguson / Prime Video)
Who among us doesn’t want to delve into a rich, new playground of Tolkien’s lore that not only provides the origin story for several of those who appear in later material (Gandalf the Grey, Elrond, Galadriel) but also introduces mythical characters and even brand-new faces.
Sadly, much like many others, I struggled through the first eight episodes with its slow pace and overwrought context-building. For a franchise revered for its epic battles, high stakes and supernatural showdowns – it felt empty and dragging.
This was reflected in the reaction to the first season, with it achieving a measly 38% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. And although the premiere broke streaming records with 25million viewers in one day, only 37% of US viewers and 45% of international audiences reportedly actually finished the entire season.
Despite my disappointment, I had higher hopes for the second season. Boosted
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Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season two finale spoilers follow.
As the second season of Amazon Prime’s The Rings of Power comes to a close, I can’t help but feel disappointed for all the Tolkien fans missing out on this treasure trove of TV after they simply gave up during the first season.
The major Prime production (from showrunners J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay) has been touted as one of the ‘most expensive shows ever made’ with an eye-watering price tag of over a reported $1,000,000,000 (that’s $1 billion, which is equivalent to around £760 million) across all five seasons.
Although current cost reports already indicate it is rapidly catching up, if not already exceeding that figure.
All in a bid to bring Tolkien’s Second Age of Middle Earth to life.
As a casual Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fan (a book and movie lover but not as invested as more diehard fans) I was excited for the first season when it came out in 2022.
The first season kicked the show off to a difficult start (Picture: Ross Ferguson / Prime Video)
Who among us doesn’t want to delve into a rich, new playground of Tolkien’s lore that not only provides the origin story for several of those who appear in later material (Gandalf the Grey, Elrond, Galadriel) but also introduces mythical characters and even brand-new faces.
Sadly, much like many others, I struggled through the first eight episodes with its slow pace and overwrought context-building. For a franchise revered for its epic battles, high stakes and supernatural showdowns – it felt empty and dragging.
This was reflected in the reaction to the first season, with it achieving a measly 38% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. And although the premiere broke streaming records with 25million viewers in one day, only 37% of US viewers and 45% of international audiences reportedly actually finished the entire season.
Despite my disappointment, I had higher hopes for the second season. Boosted by a fresh slew of glowing critics reviews, I gave the show a second chance.
And, boy, am I glad I did.
There is a brilliant exploration of Sauron’s character in season two (Picture: Prime Video
The new season falls prey to some of the previous pacing troubles (there were times when I had to push through, especially the start of the Stranger’s trek across the desert Poppy and Nori, which seemed to drag with little happening on screen).
But soon enough, the show brought back all the things I know and love about this world.
From the morally grey and conflicted characters (Adar and Celebrimbor) to the complex power dynamics (that we see play out for the crown in Numenor) to the sweet love stories peppered throughout (Isildur and Estrid anyone?).
Some moments genuinely moved me due to both their powerful imagery and gorgeous acting. The taut tension in the air when Queen Regent Miriel
Source:: Metro
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