First Thoughts On The First Two Episodes Of ‘The Rings of Power’ *Spoiler Free*
Image Source: The Guardian
*I was able to see The Rings of Power early with TheOneRing.net’s Fan Screenings. Below are my (Spoiler Free) thoughts.
Exquisite, enchanting, and awe-inspiring are best used to describe the first two episodes of Amazon’s The Rings of Power. The Second Age of Middle-earth is definitely not like the Third Age that we know and love from Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, but it still feels like coming back home. From the moment the first images show up on the screen, you are transported back into the world of Middle-earth. And it is quite the start of an epic journey.
While the first two episodes are jam-packed with characters, places, and events, they all meld together perfectly to really introduce the fans to the Second Age of Middle-earth. The transitions between each part were seamless and not confusing due to the setting, lighting, and camera work (which was very well done!) As we have gathered from the trailers and promotional materials, Galadriel does have quite the focus in these first two episodes, but in reality, showrunners Patrick McKay and J. D. Payne successfully brought together their massive cast of canon and non-canon characters, and it does not feel like too much. Each story, so far, is given care and attention. Some of the stories do seem to go by a little faster, but not to the point where it becomes confusing or annoying with pace. However, since it is an introduction to the Second Age and the characters, there are times it does feel like it is juggling a lot and is more fast-paced because of the number of characters highlighted. Perhaps in future episodes, the story may slow down a little. But we also have to remember, McKay and Payne are attempting to fit in decades of plot into, what they have said before, a ten-ish year frame. So, things will feel a little bit more fast-paced. However, hopefully, this does not mean it will be a detriment to each character’s story.
Image Source: The Hollywood Reporter
RELATED:
From the start, we don’t really get to relish in the peacefulness of the land. There is, almost immediately, this foreboding throughout, which, does add to the quick pace of the first two episodes. This does seem like too much since we are introduced to all these characters at different places in Middle-earth, and they all start getting a sense of foreboding, so it feels repetitive at times. At the same time, it builds the suspense in a way in how each of the characters reacts to what is going on around them in a different way.
By the end of the second episode, and even by the end of the first episode, we do have a good idea of who the main characters are going to be. Their introductions are done well, especially for those who are new to Tolkien’s world and not the ones he wrote. They were seamlessly introduced into the world and for the most part, felt like they belonged there. Obviously, to the die-hard Tolkien fan, it is a little strange still to see characters that Tolkien did not create come into his stories, but Payne and McKay did such a good job at making sure that despite the new characters, and some new places, they still paid homage to Tolkien and did not make the story feel fake or forced. And the Tolkien characters that we all know? Well, let’s just say, it felt like greeting an old friend.
Image Source: IGN
What is interesting about the first two episodes is that the trailers and promotional images that we have seen so far have come solely from these episodes. That being said, that does make the rest of the series feel more mysterious. The other interesting thing is that Amazon was successful in hiding a lot of the speculation about who was in the images or what that place was. So, it was a surprise at times to see things like “oh, so that’s who was in that first promotional image we got and where it takes place.”
In these episodes, we are not yet introduced to some of the major players, and we are not yet introduced to all of the major places. But the places we are introduced to? Well, let’s just say, it felt exactly like you were stepping back into Middle-earth. The Elven cities were far grander than we have seen on screen so far, but that means it felt like we were actually in the Second Age when the Elven cities were grander, and the world was at peace. McKay and Payne were successful in really creating the world through the sets and the gorgeous footage of the countryside. There were many times when the characters were walking through and looking around in awe at where they were, which exactly mirrored the feeling the fans were getting. The rich vibrant world continues on with the amazing costume design and the diversity of the cast, which adds elements to the world of Middle-earth that make it feel even more alive and real.
Image Source: Empire
It is hard to tell exactly where this show is going at the moment. But one thing is for certain. This is an amazing undertaking. If the first two episodes are any indication, all the hard work is paying off. Whether or not it will satisfy die-hard Tolkien fans remains to be seen. Even in the first two episodes, there are definitely a few things that seem to “stray” from what Tolkien wrote. However, you also must remember that “The Appendices” of The Lord of the Rings are not super detailed when it comes to the Second Age. Payne and McKay did say that they would be changing some things. But, even the details that are different from the source material still feel like we are in Tolkien’s world. Nothing feels fake or forced in that manner.
Image Source: Deadline
There is so much packed into these episodes, so many facets introduced, but one thing is for certain: The Rings of Power is definitely not a show that is playing around or was done without much thought and planning involved. And it shows. Who knows where this world might take us next?
READ NEXT:
