It’s finally time to go back to Middle-Earth.
With the release of the second season of Amazon’s epic (and expensive) The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power we step back into a world that has been devastated by volcanic ash. To make matters worse, Sauron (Charlie Vickers) has returned. Having been banished by Galadriel, he begins his quest for power anew. Reforming and rebuilding his strength, Sauron turns his attention to the creation of the Rings of Power themselves. Approaching Lord Celebrimbor and attempts to build a new legacy where all will bow before him. At the same time, Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) wonders if her one-time friend has become entirely lost to the ever-increasing evil that surrounds him. As she attempts to aid those who fear his cunning and power, Galadriel must decide whether or not her friend is truly dead.
First and foremost, it’s obvious where Amazon’s vast budget has been allocated. This is a series that looks absolutely stunning in its visual stylization. Every colour pops with vibrancy against the shadowy realms (and shadows are growing rapidly in the new season). This is a world caught between the tension of darkness and light and Rings brings that conflict to life onscreen.
But the issue with Rings of Power lies not with its spectacle. Instead, the issue with the series is its dialogue. There’s no question that great care has been put into its script so that Rings of Power feels akin to Tolkien’s classic epic. However, the series has a tendency to make every conversation feel like a grand speech. In doing so, the show does manage to carry an epic feel but it also lacks the quieter character moments that helped bring Middle-Earth to life so beautifully in other iterations of the franchise.
Having said that, one can’t deny that Rings has a compelling story to tell. With the reveal of Sauron at the conclusion of the first season, Season Two steps up the fear of an ever-increasing darkness. Much of the credit for this belongs to another sinister performance by Charlie Vickers as Sauron. Whereas the first season kept him contained behind the mask of a friend, new episodes allow him the opportunity to tap into his nasty side. Even in moments where he’s being more humane, Vickers brings a snarl to every line of dialogue that gives you chills. It’s his performance that provides the fire that the series needs and, as he continues to evolve, so too does the series.
But therein lies the real question of Season Two. As Sauron begins to step into who we know he becomes, Galadriel begins to wonder if there’s any decency left within him. While the battle between good and evil has always been central to the Rings franchise, Season Two begins to ask what are the best aspects of humanity worth preserving. Conversations surround forgiveness, beauty and, ultimately, humility are embedded in each character journey throughout Middle-Earth.
In short, as Sauron leans into his quest for power, others are trying to reclaim the best parts of themselves.
But, as I said, that’s always been the essence of this world. Tolkien’s original vision was always to create a space to work out the frailties of the human experience held up against the dark spiritual forces of the world around us. That struggle provides the very lifeblood of Rings of Power, especially in its second season. (Yet, in its passion for the epic, one only wishes that they could also mine the more human moments moving forward as well.)
Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (S2) is available on Prime Video on August 29th, 2024.