Authors Note: I know, I know! One week into regularly blogging, and we're already off schedule here! Because it's Tuesday, not Monday. Well, unfortunately some of us had circumstances come up. And by that, I mean I locked myself out of my house yesterday. So, instead of waiting until Thursday, I'm posting today instead – don't get used to it!
Even before the show was released, The Rings of Power seemed to stir controversy within the Tolkien community. Some were valid concerns about lore, others an outrageous and ridiculous excuse to partake in racism and misogyny. Now that the first three episodes are out in the world, let’s talk about what works, what doesn’t, and everything in between.
The fact that people were so harsh towards this show, long before it aired, bothers me relentlessly. Even now, when you look at the Google Reviews, the show has an unworthy 3.2 stars. A large portion of those 1 star reviews are people who were critical before the material aired. It’s an unfair judgment and personally, I don’t think it even begins to properly represent the show, which you’ll find is shockingly good.
Going in, I was just beyond excited to have new Tolkien material. I was too little when the movies came out to join in the worldwide phenomena, and to have a new exploration of Tolkien’s world appealed to me. Although I want to study his works in graduate school, I’m still learning the extent of his lore each and every day. As far as I can tell, the showrunners are doing a pretty decent job keeping with the source material (The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and the Appendix –– they don’t own the rights to the Silmarillion, which would make their job easier, and all the other various writings). So, right off the bat, I’m going to tell you, I’m actually enjoying the show.
Let’s start with the visuals and music, because these are what stick out to me most. As to be expected from the TV series with the biggest budget ever, Rings of Power is gorgeous. I’m not exaggerating when I say my jaw nearly hit the floor when we saw
Lindon, the elf capital. Well, okay, maybe I am, but I was speechless! And what about Númenor?? Words can’t begin to explain how excited I was to see it on screen for the first time, and you know what? They nailed it! It looks vaguely like Minas Tirith as Tolkien described, and the details give it an air that fits its inhabitants.
Each and every location we’ve seen so far is vibrant, and most importantly, feels like Middle Earth. For almost all of us, Peter Jackson’s trilogy defined Middle Earth and therefore our imaginations surrounding it. And while the showrunners were told to keep away from Jackson’s material, they did a fantastic job of making Rings of Power feel like a continuation of the world rather than an entirely different entity. They even got Howard Shore to compose a song! Bear McCreary’s soundtrack deserves recognition in its own right, though, as similar to the visuals, it feels like it belongs to Middle Earth in a perfect move towards cohesion.
We’re at the third episode now, and I’ll be honest that it’s only at this point that Galadriel’s storyline is starting to keep me captivated. Which is a bit of a shame since it’s clear hers is the one we’re meant to care about most. While I think Morfydd Clark is exceptional, the way they’re presenting Galadriel is a bit dull. She lacks people skills, comes off a little too ‘look at me, I’m tough’, and tugs on that rope way too long! (iykyk). That being said, I think now that she’s gotten her proof of Sauron’s plan (how cool was his symbol turning out to be a map of Mordor??), and explored Halbrand’s character more (he’s one created specifically for the show, which leaves even the most knowledgeable of Tolkien fans on their toes), it’s about to change. Read more in this Forbes article about the show’s Galadriel problem because they explain it perfectly.
The character that most surprised me? Elrond. When I first saw his hair in the promos, I’ll admit I was less than thrilled. The cut looks more like something found on a 90s boy
band heartthrob than the luscious Elven locks we’re used to, but I supposed Elf fashion changes over the centuries. I think I’m most surprised by enjoying his screen time because in LOTR, I’m so easily annoyed by him. Seeing this young side of Elrond, before he’s hardened by the events that unfold, is delightful and really adds perspective. Robert Aramayo’s portrayal is charming, and I especially loved seeing the relationship between Elrond and Durin. Remind you of another certain elf and dwarf?
At first, the prospect of new characters created specifically for this show scared me. It was one of those ‘trust the process’ moments, and boy am I glad I did! Out of all the various plotlines (which I’ve seen some people take issue with, but I rather enjoy and feel is Tolkienesque), my favorites involve Nori and Arondir. I think creators JD Payne and Patrick McKay were smart to introduce the harfoot plot line, even if it hasn’t connected to the others yet because they’re right; it wouldn’t feel like Middle Earth without Hobbits. Nori and her bestie Poppy are absolutely adorable, and I’m obsessed with them. Plus, I’m dying to know who the Stranger is! I’ve heard it might be Gandalf, which would be cool, but personally I’m really on the fence about that prediction, although I’m not sure who (or what) he could be. As for Arondir, I love the shoutout to Aragorn and Arwen (human and elf lovers unite), but I also love that his arc has become more than that.
My biggest complaint? Some of the CGI. I know, I know, “But Beth, your first praise of the show was the visuals!” Well, visuals are different from CGI. There have been a handful of
instances where it’s been lacking, but the scene I’m specifically thinking of is when the Orcs release the beast on Arondir and his fellow captured elves. Up to that point, that scene was tugging at my heartstrings, what with his brethren being slaughtered and then Arondir offering to cut down the tree even though it goes against everything an elf stands for. But the CGI of that beast…yikes! It pulled me right out of the scene to the point I actually laughed out loud when it was taken down because its death was jerky and stuck out like a sore thumb in an otherwise wonderfully crafted world.
The thoughts I’ve covered in this blog just scratch the surface! I could go on and on, but I want to watch the rest of the show before I do. As it stands, I’d say the show is currently sitting at a solid 4 out of 5 stars for me. It’s enjoyable and magical –– what more could I want from good old Middle Earth?
Are you enjoying Rings of Power?
Absolutely! Yay for new Tolkien content!
Not so much – it's missing something for me.
I'm not watching.
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