Last week, Amazon Prime Video released the three-episode premiere of season two of its original series “The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power.”
The show stars Morfydd Clark, Robert Aramayo and Charlie Vickers and takes place thousands of years before the events of the “Lord of the Rings” and “Hobbit” films. The new season follows the villain Sauron, played by Vickers, as he deceives all of Middle Earth by creating the titular “rings of power,” objects that would give him dominion over all.
Released in 2022, the first season of “Rings of Power” received mixed reviews, having a critic score of 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and an abysmal 38% from the fans. Many found season one slow, disinteresting and uneventful. Season two looks to right the ship and so far, it has not disappointed. Similarly to season one, the performances, world-building, sets, costumes and score are all top-notch and the very best currently on television.
Season two has been an improvement with its layered and greater depth to the character development and writing. The showrunners, Patrick McKay and John D. Payne, have the difficult task of creating a tension-filled show that keeps the audience engaged, even though anyone can just Google what’s going to happen. Luckily, they pull it off, creating a show that’s overflowing with drama. Also, this season is far darker in tone and atmosphere, giving way to more violence that raises the stakes.
My favorite aspect of season one was how each actor embodied their respective role, and in season two, they have gone even further. It feels as if each main cast member, from Vickers to Clark to Aramayo, has given their character greater emotional depth. Vickers as Sauron lights up the screen with confidence and pure evil, while Clark continues to show Galadriel’s goodness and relentlessness. Other standout performances include Charles Edwards as elven smith Celebrimbor and Owain Arthur as dwarf Prince Durin IV.
Amazon Prime Video spent a lot of money on “Rings of Power” and that money can be seen on screen. Each kingdom of Middle Earth, from Mordor to the dwarf home of Khazad-dûm, is filled to the brim with life and detail, allowing the viewer to be fully engrossed in the show. Bear McCreary, best known for composing the music for the rebooted “God of War” video games, matches — and at times surpasses — the brilliant score written by Howard Shore for the films.
Overall, the first three episodes of season two of “The Rings of Power” are a perfect example of how to build off the groundwork laid by a first season and use that to create an even better start to the sophomore season than the fanbase expected.
