Review of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: The season concludes with a shocking twist while laying the groundwork for the future.
The Rings of Power’s clogs have finally begun to move, and they are leaving an impression. After eight episodes, the show has taken on its true form, with the finale drawing curtains while answering nagging mysteries and teasing the start of a new chapter in Tolkien’s saga.
The pace may have been slow at first, but the creators nailed it with the built-up tension and atmosphere. The finale has now set the stage for its return.
The series is set during Tolkien’s Second Age, making it a prequel to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. It was a difficult task to touch the legacy of JRR Tolkien’s world, and the creators of The Rings Power not only revived it, but also explored some new ideas.
Staying true to the nature of television, the story is exquisitely spread throughout the season with a tight-knit plot while tackling a variety of issues relevant in today’s world such as power struggles and racial conflicts. Each and every character has a backstory that has the potential to be explored further in future seasons.
However, it is clear that Galadriel (as played by Morfydd Clark) and Sauron are the show’s stars, both literally and metaphorically. Robert Aramayo, Charles Edwards, Nazanin Boniadi, Lloyd Owens, Sara Zwangobani, Maxim Baldry, Megan Richards, Tyroe Muhafidin, Ema Horvath, and Markella Kavenagh also appear on the show.
The final episode, Rings of Power, arrived with much of the story already laid out in the films and books. To breathe new life into the world, the creators introduced new characters, which compelled fans to pay close attention in order for them to fit into the Tolkien saga, leading them on a quest to place them in the LOTR world they know.
The finale brought it all together, with answers to the mysteries, characters embracing their true selves, and the departure of a familiar face. It connects to the Lord of the Rings story by describing how Sauron assisted in the creation of the Rings of Power. It lays the groundwork for new conflicts in the following season.
There are moments in the story that transport the audience back to the original fictional world of The Lord of the Rings. The best thing about them is that they don’t seem forced but genuine, whether it’s an embrace between Hobbits that reminds us of Frodo or a death scene that brings back bittersweet memories of Boromir’s end.
The segment in which it shines the brightest is in its visual imagery and choreography of action-packed sequences, which grows larger with each episode, justifying the $1 billion budget.
When it comes to the finale, it is clear that the creators are not looking for shocks or thrills, but rather to provide answers to the audience and prepare them for what is to come in the following seasons. The scene in which Sauron is revealed in all his power and darkness is the best part of the finale, making the wait worthwhile. The imagery, in fact, sticks with the audience.
Several plot lines have already been established for the future, ranging from Nori embarking on a journey with Stranger to Sauron’s rise to power. That is what will entice the audience to return for a second season.
Overall, the story is finally coming together, with things moving in a direction that makes sense. There is a conflict brewing, political turmoil on the horizon, and a new definition of fellowship.
Despite walking in the shadow of The Lord of the Rings, JD Payne and Patrick McKay’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is forging its own identity, and it will only grow stronger in the future.
