The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power - Review Season One

Given the esteemed legacy of J.R.R. Tolkien's literature and Peter Jackson's iconic first trilogy, expectations for the series were understandably high. Despite this, I endeavored to Amazon Prime Video's “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” on its own merits, rather than comparing it to either.

The show introduces audiences to Middle-earth's Second Age. Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows a diverse cast of both familiar and new characters, as they confront the re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. Showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay tell the story of how this peace was eventually broken with violence and bloodshed by those who desire dominion over Middle-earth.

The show opens with a youthful Galadriel (Amelie Child Villiers) conversing with her brother Finrod (Will Fletcher) in Valinor, the sacred realm and eternal haven realm to which the elves’ journey upon completing their time in Middle-earth. Then, we learn about the cataclysmic events orchestrated by Melkor, also known as Morgoth, the first dark ruler who emerged from the ranks of the Valar pantheon of deities. Melkor's plunged Middle-earth into a long war that culminated in his banishment and the end of the First Age.

Subsequently, Finrod falls in battle against the dark forces, which include an up-and-coming Dark Lord and warlock named Sauron. Following Finrod's demise, the adult Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) assumes the mantle of his crusade against evil to uphold her brother’s legacy.

Striking visuals, struggling storytelling

Visually, the series boasts breathtaking imagery and a plethora of whimsical fantasy elements. From majestic elven cities to towering statues of ancient kings, the meticulously crafted sets and costumes, and seamless special effects contribute to the show's allure. 

However, despite its visual splendor, “The Rings of Power” falls short in storytelling prowess. Starting with a childhood scene was risky, and it didn't pay off. The initial episodes of any series are important; they must captivate the audience, set the stage for the rest of the series, and introduce compelling characters, all while maintaining an air of mystery. Unfortunately, the writers gained no momentum at all. The show can't find the right pace or develop its characters well, so it ends up feeling boring and rushed at the same time.

Moreover, the series relies heavily on contrived mysteries and (supposed) surprise twists, which often fall flat. For instance, fans familiar with Tolkien's lore already know the outcome of Isildur's fate after the volcano blast, so the cliffhanger lacks genuine suspense. This raises questions about the writers' decision-making, their understanding of storytelling, and audience expectations.

A crowded cast with little charisma

Apart from the nonsensical storyline filled with predictable twists, the series suffers from an overly large cast of characters. While including actors of color in prominent roles has sparked controversy among purists, my problem lies with the lack of depth and charisma in these characters themselves.

Instead of meaningful character development, the narrative leans heavily on incessant arguments and conflicts between the characters. Whether it's the strained relationship between Isildur (Max Baldry) and his father Elendil (Lloyd Owen), the tensions between Elrond (Robert Aramayo) and Durin (Owain Arthur), or the clashes involving Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and the village elders, or Galadriel with basically anybody, all the characters do is argue.

Speaking of Galadriel: she appears as a young, stern, and somewhat irritable bully, who lacks wisdom and who ignores advice. This portrayal is both perplexing and vexing, as it contradicts the wise and composed character we know her to be. Of course, there is a significant time gap between the events depicted in the show and the movies. However, the sheer lack of depth and character development in the initial season is truly astonishing. Even if she were not Galadriel but a new, invented elf character for the story, her demeanor would still feel out of place and illogical.

Here's another questionable example of storytelling and character development: Adar (Joseph Mawle) was an intriguing antagonist, but his character lost its allure when until he let Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova) go “to deliver a message to the humans”. This decision undermines the tension and expected conflict the writers aimed to build. Even worse, following Arondir's release, he rescues Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin), and they run through the woods straight into Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi). Together, the trio evades numerous orcs, whose competence with arrows appears to match my own.

And what about the Harfoots? I was looking forward to seeing the ancestors of hobbits. Their nomadic lifestyle and their close-knit and welcoming community initially charmed me. Their credo of “No one walks alone!” resonated with the warmth and camaraderie we know from Samwise Gamgee. Yet, why then do they leave behind their elderly, sick and maimed to suffer and die?

Putting profit before story

The first season of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” has wrapped up, setting the stage for what's to come in future seasons. Visually, it pays tribute to Peter Jackson's films. However, while it offers familiar visual cues, the storytelling struggles. The pacing is sluggish, with a lack of clear direction or overarching narrative thread. Things happen without real consequences, and characters don't seem to grow.

In my opinion, the slow pacing has less to do with servicing the story than a calculation to stretch the show out over multiple seasons to maximize profits.

Let’s disregard the fact that the show is part of Tolkien's “Lord of the Ring” franchise. Even if it were just a standalone fantasy series, “The Rings of Power” would fall short; it relies too heavily on generic tropes and melodrama rather than forging new ground. The stereotypical characters are one-dimensional and fail to leave a lasting impression—at least no positive one.

The finale promised to answer the question at the heart of the first season: who is Sauron? It's a question they've been building up, but the execution doesn't make it all that exciting. Whether or not you're a fan, it just doesn't give you much reason to get invested. I won't spoil his identity. If you watched it, you know who it is. If you didn’t watch, you don’t care, anyway. In my case, I watched but still don't care. And how sad is that for a “Lord of the Rings” show?

2 Stars