TV Review: 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season 2

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Season 2. Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon MGM Studios.

Returning for its second season with three episodes on August 29 via Prime Video, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ continues to support Amazon splashing a lot of cash on the rights to JRR Tolkien’s “secondary material” for the story of ‘The Hobbit’ or Set long before the main ‘Rings’ narrative period.

And reassuringly, the second season actually shows a welcome jump in pace.

Is there magic in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ season 2?

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Season 2. Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon MGM Studios.

The first season can best be described as scene-setting, or as an orchestra tuning before launching into the overture before the main performance. There were countless characters to introduce and storylines to set up, a difficult juggling act that meant some were left a bit unsettled.

As season 2 begins, there’s more to come and storylines to continue (albeit with one or two confusing time jumps, especially when it comes to Charlie Vicar’s Sauron, whose plot seems to have been thrown into a blender where the initial two episodes We are with him at any given time.

Scripts and instructions

(L to R) Gavi Singh Chera as Merrimack, Megan Richards as Poppy, Markella Cavenagh as Norrie, Tanya Moody as Gundabel in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Season 2. Credit: Ross Ferguson/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon MGM Studios.

The balancing act is back for Season 2, but showrunners JD Payne and Patrick McKay are taking their writing team down some tough paths, with the most pressing catch-ups (especially with Morfid Clarke’s Galadriel and Vicar’s own story as Sauron schemes) ahead of the primary story. .

It seems like the collected writers/producers have a better idea this year of how to let the different strands breathe, even as they introduce new characters and complexities to our heroes.

A change of filming locations from New Zealand to the UK did not diminish the epic scope and scale of the series, which, although it could not always compete with Peter Jackson’s cinematic vision, still made the world vivid and vast.

Season 2 directors Charlotte Brandström (who returns from the first stint), Sana Hamri and Louise Hooper make the show look great (with only the occasional hint of foggy CG work).

performance

While not every performance may have the charm and energy of the lead, the ensembles work hard to bring their characters to life.

Morfid Clarke as Galadriel

Morfid Clarke as Galadriel in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Season 2. Credit: Ross Ferguson / Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon MGM Studios.

As the show’s host (probably alongside Vicar), Clarke continues to impress as the fairy warrior (and future mystic) Galadriel. While viewers may at times share his frustration that few of the elves around him share his anxiety when it comes to the real threat of Sauron, Clarke is never less than compelling.

Charlie Vickers as Sauron

Charlie Vickers as Sauron in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Season 2. Credit: Ben Rothstein / Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon MGM Studios.

Even more than Clarke, Vickers gets a lot to chew on as the Dark Lord; Seductive and sometimes callous, he once again gave Sauron different shades to play with, and did well with them.

Daniel Wayman as The Stranger

Daniel Wayman as The Stranger in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Season 2. Credit: Ben Rothstein / Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon MGM Studios.

No one is saying the G-word yet (that would be “Gandalf” for the uninitiated), but the name has been talked about a lot in the first few episodes. In his quest with Harfoots Norrie (Markella Cavenagh) and Poppy (Megan Richards), he’s still a mystery, but he’s brought into contact with a new threat (more on that below).

Sofia Nomvete as Dwarf Princess Disa

Owen Arthur as Prince Durin IV and Sofia Nomvet as Princess Disa in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season 2.

(L to R) Owen Arthur as Prince Durin IV and Sophia Nomvet as Princess Disa in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Season 2. Credit: Ben Rothstein / Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon MGM Studios.

Nomvete continues to be a highlight of the show; Her interactions with husband Prince Durin IV (Wayne Arthur) and indeed everyone she comes into contact with are delightful. He brings such energy and humor to the role, the perfect combination of performer and script.

Other notable characters

While we won’t discuss exactly who he’s playing, Ciaran Hinds makes a solid debut as a mysterious new character who promises to cause trouble for The Stranger. Ditto Ben Daniels, who plays an elf (but again, we won’t specify who) to great effect.

final thought

(L to R) Robert Armayo as Elrond; Morfid Clarke as Galadriel in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Season 2. Credit: Ben Rothstein / Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon MGM Studios.

If season one found what the show needed to be, season 2 represents some of the creators that have really been able to work with the concept, creating some problems. Something remains –– not every character works, but most are entertaining, and the show remains very watchable even if you occasionally have to consult a web guide to remind yourself who everyone is and how they fit into the wider lore.

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Season 2 received 7.5 stars out of 10.

“Evil has many names.”

TV-142 seasons1st September, 2022

What is the plot of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ season 2?

In the second season of ‘The Rings of Power’, Sauron (Charlie Vickers) is back. Thrown out by Galadriel (Morphide Clerk), without an army or allies, the rising Dark Lord must now rely on his own cunning to rebuild his power and oversee the creation of a ring of power, which will allow him to bind all men. Middle-earth to his evil will. Building on the epic scope and ambition of season one, the new season plunges even its most beloved and vulnerable characters into a rising tide of darkness, challenging everyone to find their place in a world that is on the brink of ever-increasing catastrophe. Elves and Dwarves, Orcs and Men, Wizards and Harfoots… As friendships strain and kingdoms begin to crumble, the forces of good will fight ever more valiantly to hold on to what matters most to them… each other.