When Prime Video announced plans to delve into Tolkien’s fantastical world, longtime Lord of the Rings fans were weary of the new series. As details emerged, fans learned the series would explore the backstory of the forging of the Rings of Power and Sauron’s rise, leading to his confrontation with the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Dedicated fans are protective of the lore and characters that Tolkien created, so they were skeptical of how the showrunners would approach this narrative.

Fast-forward to Season 1, the fan response was mixed. On the one hand, longtime fans criticized the show for taking liberties with the lore, and on the other, some viewers were new to Tolkien’s world and were captivated by the plot. The first season had strong and weak moments, but Season 2 presented a refined story. Nowadays, media consumers want the first season of a series to be perfect, which might have to do with networks canceling TV shows after one season. Still, the first season of a series is meant to introduce audiences to the world it’s creating or, in this case, adapting. The early missteps challenge the writers to deliver stronger storytelling, which The Rings of Power has begun to showcase.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Release Date September 1, 2022 Seasons 3 Network Amazon Prime Video Streaming Service(s) Amazon Prime Video Expand

Some Were Too Quick to Judge The Rings of Power

Criticism of the series began long before the first episode aired. Fans’ skepticism stemmed from crucial factors, like Peter Jackson’s input missing from the show after creating the masterpiece that is the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the more controversial Hobbit films, and the studio and creators’ decision to take creative freedom with Tolkien’s timeline to tell the tale of the Second Age of Middle-earth in a five-season arc. Prime Video invested $1 billion in the series, which also gave fans a reason to analyze and criticize every minute detail that didn’t live up to their expectations or the landmark budget.

Fans should keep in mind that Prime Video doesn’t have the rights to all of Tolkien’s works, so the creators have had to fill in some plot gaps to create a cohesive story. Like any series in the early stages, Season 1 has flaws, some that were too big for Tolkien fans to overlook, but the elements of what the showrunners are attempting to create are evident. With Season 2’s finale having aired recently, it’s clear the first season laid the groundwork for the story the creatives are planning to introduce.

The Rings of Power Season 2 Proves Critics Wrong

Understandably, fans of the books and the original films want the series to be as accurate to the lore as possible. However, this series isn’t trying to be what Peter Jackson’s work was, which is a good thing because the consensus would’ve been the same had the creators of this series tried to emulate Jackson’s work and got it wrong. It should stand out on its own as it portrays the events leading up to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. From the first episode, Season 2 has a grim tone as the story gets darker with Sauron’s presence on Middle-earth. This season, audiences see each character’s inner conflict and the effects of Sauron’s manipulation, eventually coming to terms with the fact that he’s been in control all along. The stakes are high with each episode, and the danger of the Rings of Power is at the forefront.

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The storytelling and pacing in this season have improved from the last. Critics will also agree, as Season 2 currently sits at 85% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, 2% higher than the first season. The audience score has nearly doubled as it sits at 69% compared to Season 1’s 38%. The overall response to Season 2 has been positive as the story continues to unfold, and fans see where the story will go in future seasons. Season 2 still has its flaws, but the improvement is there.

The Future of The Rings of Power Is Hopeful

So far, the execution of storytelling in The Rings of Power has drastically improved with each season. The finale of the second season foreshadows the darkness that threatens to befall Middle-earth, but with Celebrimbor’s wisdom in mind, the light will be there to fight the dark. Viewers can expect epic moments ahead, like the burning of Khazad-dûm, Númenor’s fate, and, most importantly, the creation of the One Ring by Sauron. All signs lead to an epic climax with The Seige of Barad-dûr, an event familiar to fans of the original trilogy. These events will connect the story to Jackson’s trilogy, so it’ll be worth tuning in.

Related Why the Orc Family in Rings of Power Is So Controversial The Rings of Power is embroiled in yet another controversy, this time over a major lore change involving one of the franchise’s most prominent beings.

Critics will say one thing, but it’s important to form your own opinion. The series is promising and visually astounding, with characters who aren’t two-dimensional. It’s an epic adventure that dives back into a beloved franchise and revisits characters in a way that hasn’t been done before. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is streaming on Prime Video.