[On this site I cover all things Star Wars, and also some things from other Lucasfilm properties like Indiana Jones and Willow. But I also share a love for The Lord of the Rings, and having kept up with the Rings of Power episodes weekly, I decided to write a review for the second season overall, as I did for season one. Not to worry, this site will remain dedicated to Star Wars, but I hope that this brief excursion to the world of Middle Earth is permitted and enjoyable. ***Major spoilers about the Rings of Power series are ahead.***]
The Forging of the Rings
The heartbeat of the season was the central storyline of the forging of the rings of power, with several threads converging for the epic Siege of Eregion over the final three episodes. Master Elven-smith Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) unknowingly forms a partnership with the dark lord Sauron (Charlie Vickers), who is under the guise of Annatar, “lord of gifts”, sent from the Valar to aid in this quest to forge rings. Meanwhile, the Elves debate amongst themselves about the merit of their three rings, with Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), Elrond (Robert Aramayo), Gil-Galad (Benjamin Walker), and Cirdan (Ben Daniels) all weighing in. As they do, fears begin growing over what might be happening in Eregion, leading the Elves on a journey there – racing against Adar’s armies of orcs, also intent on destroying Sauron for good.
Without question, the very best part about the entire season of The Rings of Power – and the very best part about anything in the entire series so far – was the dynamic between Sauron and Celebrimbor. When awards season rolls around, I’d be disappointed if Charlie Vickers and Charles Edwards didn’t get significant consideration and applause, as both of them were simply fantastic at every turn. It was haunting seeing the depths of Sauron’s manipulations and how he was able to twist Celebrimbor’s mind, actions, and reputation to suit his will. There were moments where it was incredibly uncomfortable watching what was happening to him, and the whole thing felt so true to J.R.R. Tolkien’s world. Sauron didn’t begin manipulating Celebrimbor until the elven-smith opened himself up to it (Sauron offered what he wanted, so he willingly overlooked things), but once that happened, the master deceiver went to work. In the end, though, Celebrimbor shone forth as one of the greatest heroes of the entire season, fighting to break Sauron’s hold on him. Seeing Celebrimbor grow aware of this and confront Sauron over it was great, and then seeing his defiance in the face of such great evil to hide the rings (even at great personal cost) was wonderful. Celebrimbor was willing to sacrifice everything he held dear to save Middle Earth, and then went back to try to buy time by confronting Sauron. After enduring much torture, Celebrimbor defiantly prophesied Sauron’s doom in one of the season’s best moments.
“Your only craft is treachery. So pure, it shall betray the very hand that forges it. … hear me! Shadow of Morgoth. Hear the dying words of Celebrimbor. The Rings of Power shall destroy you. And in the end, I foresee, one alone shall prove your utter ruin! … You are their prisoner. Sauron, Lord of the Rings.”
– Celebrimbor, The Rings of Power
Celebrimbor and Sauron were by far the biggest standouts from the season, stealing every scene they were in, but the rest of this storyline was also great. Adar is one of the most compelling new characters the show has created, and seeing more exploration of his character, his care for the orcs, and his goal to eradicate Sauron from Middle Earth was great. The stuff with the elves was also really compelling, seeing the varied opinions on the rings and what should be done with them. While some of the beats felt over-played (Galadriel’s strained relationship with Elrond, Galadriel’s continual dealing with mistaken decisions), the elves are nonetheless emerging more and more heroic as they stand firm against Sauron.
“But the rings are beyond your reach. As I shall be, ere long. For soon I shall go to the shores of the morning. Borne hence, by a wind that you can never follow!”
– celebrimbor, the rings of power
The season saw Sauron win, having taken control of the armies of Mordor, having made off with the nine rings for men, having taken the hammer (presumably what he’ll use to forge the One Ring), and having orchestrated the utter destruction of Eregion. But the season nonetheless ends in a different way from the first one; in season one, the final shot was Sauron looking at the land of Mordor and Mount Doom. But in season two, the final shot is the elven leadership – Gil-Galad, Galadriel, Elrond, and Arondir (whom I am thrilled to see in this place of prominence) – looking over the valley of Imladris, which will become the safe haven of Rivendell. Though the elves have suffered a massive defeat, and though Sauron marches with armies in Middle Earth, seemingly as strong as ever, and though there is great fear that no one will be strong enough to stop him, the season ends by reminding us that it is light, not strength, that drives out darkness.
In the end, this storyline was by far the strongest of the season, and this is what carried the entire show. That leaves plenty of questions ahead of season three, since Celebrimbor and Adar are dead, the rings (besides the One) are forged, and the direction must necessarily shift. But for this second season, it was always going to be make-or-break based on this plotline. And it more than delivered.
“Neither of us was strong enough. There might not be anyone in Middle Earth who is. But perhaps, the elves need only remember that it is not strength that overcomes darkness, but light. Armies may rise, hearts may fail, yet still, light endures, and is mightier than strength. For in its presence, all darkness must flee.”
– Celebrimbor, The rings of power
Khazad-dum
One of the other major storylines of the season was the happenings in Khazad-dum, where King Durin III (Peter Mullan) and his son, Prince Durin IV (Owain Arthur), have a contentious relationship over the ring gifted to them by Celebrimbor and Annatar. The ring makes King Durin go increasingly power-hungry, insistent on digging for more mithril in the mountain – which awakens the fearsome Balrog. In his final moments, Durin passes the crown to his son, willingly taking off the ring, to sacrifice himself by subduing the fiery beast.
In my estimation, this was the second-strongest plotline of the season, again accompanied by terrific acting performances (that’s a theme in this show). I was surprised just how much the ring negatively affected Durin, as it wasn’t subtle whatsoever. But the relationships drove the story, between father and son, as well as husband and wife (Prince Durin’s wife Disa, played by Sophia Nomvete, was also terrific).
Seeing the Balrog awakened this early will surely ruffle some feathers amongst diehard Tolkien apologists, but the stunning visual effects, emotional setup, and beautiful score by Bear McCreary (he’s been absolutely fantastic both seasons) made the payoff well worth it.
Numenor
Over in Numenor, things keep getting worse. After their losses in Mordor a struggle for the throne breaks out, with Pharazon (Trystan Gravelle) usurping power from the rightful ruler, Miriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson). Pharazon’s rule targets the faithful in the city (those committed to following the Valar), most notably Elendil (Lloyd Owen) – who by season’s end is driven from the city as a refugee and branded a traitor.
My thoughts on this storyline were mixed. On the one hand, it certainly wasn’t the most engaging, and it feels a bit scattered and disorganized (though, granted, that’s part of the design). At the same time, this storyline needs to be developed, even slowly, because it will come into center stage down the road. Those familiar with Tolkien’s Middle Earth lore know that Pharazon will come face-to-face with Sauron, who manages to pull Numenor’s leader under his sway after initial defeat. This will, in the end, lead to the destruction of Numenor and Elendil taking up the mantle of leader – and Elendil will join with Gil-Galad to lead the Last Alliance of Men and Elves against Sauron.
So while this storyline this season felt lacking and inconsistent, I think we’ll look back on it as simply setting the stage for plenty more action to come. It does, however, raise a prominent challenge for the series entering season three: the dynamic between Sauron and Celebrimbor was the best thing about season two, and that won’t continue. They’ll need to have another storyline star, and it hasn’t been Numenor yet. Can it be, in the future?
The Wizards
The final main storyline of note from this season followed the wizards and harfoots. The two main harfoots from the first season again return, with Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and Poppy (Megan Richards) accompanying their wizard friend, the Stranger (Daniel Weyman) to discover his destiny. But this season also introduces a dark wizard (Ciaran Hinds), and one of Tolkien’s most curious creations: Tom Bombadill (Rory Kinnear). By the end of the season, it is revealed that the Stranger will go by the name of Gandalf, having been helped (somewhat) by Bombadill along the way.
This is, undoubtedly, the slowest part of the show and the least interesting part for me. It seems to not really be going anywhere that quickly, having spent two seasons to even get to the fact that this Stranger is Gandalf, like many expected. Bombadill’s inclusion was a fun nod to the books, even if his characterization and how he was used here is a bit hit or miss. But it’s almost like the show couldn’t bear to have the wizards known, because as they reveal Gandalf, they keep the identity of this dark wizard hidden. It’s tedious, boring, and drags the show every time it’s on-screen.
With all of that said, however, I’m not upset that it’s included in the series, and here’s why: the show needs something happy, especially in the seasons ahead. The story that Amazon is telling with The Rings of Power isn’t exactly a happy story. In this season, Eregion was sacked, Celebrimbor killed, and Sauron victorious. It’s not going to get much better anytime soon. Numenor will fall, the One Ring will be forged, and Middle Earth will descend into shadows. And even though Sauron is defeated in the Last Alliance, well, the Ring’s corrupting influence will hold its sway over the heroes nonetheless. All of that to say: most of the heroes in Rings of Power will lose. Most of the storylines will have a tragic ending for the good guys. So to have a storyline where the harfoots (presumably) find their peaceful home in the Shire will bring some hope and light to a dark period.
So, yes, it drags on. But I think it will serve a hope-giving purpose in this series by the end.
Overall thoughts:
I really enjoyed this season, and I thought it marked a significant improvement from season one – which, I think, could be a lesson in this streaming age. Shows often need some time to develop and grow and establish themselves before really taking off, and that was true of Rings of Power. There have been moments of slow building over these two seasons (sometimes frustratingly so), but without them we wouldn’t care about these characters as much and the stakes wouldn’t feel as personal. The Rings of Power is getting better as it goes on, and this season that was in large part thanks to the stellar performances of Charlie Vickers and Charles Edwards as Sauron and Celebrimbor. Rings of Power has done what is incredibly hard to do, yet done it well: take a villain as its main character and make him incredibly compelling without making him a sympathetic and misunderstood figure. This show never wavers: Sauron is the villain. A really, really bad dude. Yet he’s the main character, and the series is so much better for it.
Yet, throughout, there is hope. There’s hope because people like Celebrimbor, even those who have made mistakes, stand against the evil. As long as the free peoples of Middle Earth stand against Sauron by holding true to the light, evil will never win. Things might look bleak, but the light will triumph over the darkness.
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