This review was made possible by advance screeners of all eight episodes of Season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The Rings of Power Season 2 premieres with three episodes on Prime Video on August 29, 2024. New episodes release every Thursday.
After two long years, The Rings of Power is finally back! Or perhaps I should say, the Rings of Power are back, as Season 1 ended with three of the titular pieces of jewelry being forged for the Elves. This, along with the reveal that Halbrand is actually none other than the dark lord Sauron himself, created quite the ramp into Season 2, where the stakes continue to be raised. But with Halbrand’s identity no longer a mystery, comes a question… have showrunners J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay squandered the only trick up their sleeve early? Or are they just getting started playing their hand?
There And Back Again… And Again
Back to Middle-earth we go, and this time around, things are… different. In Season 1, we saw the wonder of a golden age for civilisation, with jaw-dropping landscapes and spectacle reminiscent of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films. But here we begin in a changed world – one with the name “Sauron” dancing across the lips of every race. One where the Southlands have turned to ash and been born anew as Mordor. And ultimately, one where fear and strife are slowly poisoning each kingdom.
Of course, practically speaking, it’s also worth mentioning that while Season 1 was filmed in New Zealand, Season 2 made the switch to the UK… which can certainly explain the lack of wondrous spectacle. But it seems to serve the purposes of the season well on both a thematic and aesthetic level. The story has been burdened by a darkness, and the world, with it. Alongside that idea comes the fact that the first season had a more difficult task: onboarding viewers. It had to get us on board with both completely original characters and new renditions of beloved ones. So the easiest way to gain our trust was to present a character we already know and love in all its glory – the world of Middle-earth (New Zealand) itself. While the slight downgrade in film locations can sting a little bit, I must admit – it didn’t actually cross my mind all too much while watching Season 2, because this time the drama had me so tightly in its grasp.
Three Rings For The Elven-Kings…
The Rings of Power continues its large-scale ensemble juggling act, sharing the drama of the dwarves, elves, men of Numenor, and more – but the primary focus stays the same. That being the ever-determined Galadriel’s quest to rid Middle-earth of Sauron. But interpersonal conflicts among our protagonists in the wake of the Season 1 finale shake things up quite a bit. Galadriel’s ties to Sauron and the existence of Rings of Power bring a whole slew of questions that are just the beginning of a tangled web of distrust. Sauron actually gets more time in the spotlight this time around, with Charlie Vickers delivering one hell of a performance. I had my doubts about the character last season, but this time around he’s really stepped into his full potential. The other returning character that gets quite a significant amount of time is Celebrimbor – the master smith and lord of Eregion. Charles Edwards takes the role exactly where I had hoped, and further still.
Over on the dwarf side of things, Prince Durin and Disa are consistently just wonderful characters, adding a fiery soul to the season while facing dire conflicts of their own. In Numenor, men are dealing with their own struggles in the aftermath of war, lending a growing political intrigue to the series that helps break up the main narrative. And far on the opposite end of the world, we follow the main remaining mystery – the identity of the stranger, which becomes ever more clear in each episode he appears. While his arc isn’t visited too often in the grand scheme of the season, he meets some quite intriguing characters, making for a highly engaging journey. One more notable performance is that of Adar, who is now played by Sam Hazeldine. He gets a larger focus this season, with some emotional resonance I didn’t expect. Now, the disappointing part of a series that juggles so many arcs is that someone is bound to get the short end of the stick, and I’m afraid here its Arondir and co. He definitely has a couple great moments, as both a moral pillar and a badass warrior… but I feel he has very little in the way of motive.
Beauty Is In The Eye Of Sauron
While I mentioned that there’s a slight downgrade in the visuals of the world, that’s not entirely the case, as not everything is shot on location to begin with. Green screen is used fantastically for the most part, but there are a couple moments I found a bit jarring. Otherwise, the VFX work on display is stunning, and only adds to the magic of Middle-earth. Specifically when it comes to creatures… phenomenal work. Eagles, Trolls, spiders, and so much more feature this season – all fitting right in. The music is well worth praising as well, with Bear McCreary composing yet another beautiful, emotive soundtrack. I must implore everyone to listen to some of the songs that play over the end credits (I didn’t expect to hear anything as heavy as “The Last Ballad of Damrod”).
‘The Rings of Power’ Season 2 – Final Thoughts
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is back in full force with a dense Season 2. After the premiere episode, tensions in Middle-earth steadily build to a fever pitch, with high-stakes drama and thrilling action throughout. A change in film locations means less of the gorgeous New Zealand landscape, but luckily, it’s rarely noticed due to the engaging story. Free from the chains of the setup and character introductions of the first season, here we get right to the meat of the story, centered on the titular Rings of Power. The Rings of Power Season 2 is, beginning to end, a gripping experience, thanks to a rich plot and enticing characters… and it seems to have earned the title of the one fantasy series to rule them all.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 premieres on Prime Video on August 29, 2024. Check out the trailer below.
The Review
The Rings of Power - Season 2
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ is back in full force with a hefty Season 2. After the premiere episode, tensions in Middle-earth steadily build to a fever pitch, with high stakes drama and high octane action throughout. Downgrade in filming locations aside, a rich plot and enticing characters prove that ‘The Rings of Power’ just may be the one fantasy series to rule them all.
