The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Is Off To A Great Start: Episodes 1-3 Review | MM

System · August 28

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Is Off To A Great Start: Episodes 1-3 Review | MMORPG.com

Bradford is an unabashed Tolkien fanatic, so when given the chance to review the second season of Amazon's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, he jumped at the chance. Here are some of his thoughts after watching the first three episodes of the upcoming season.

Read the full story here

SavageHorizon · August 28

Is this a joke lol, think he is winding us up. ROP is a very well made adaptation of a parallel version of Tolkiens world.

The hobbit beats it because in most it's true to the version that Tolkien wrote, not perfect but way better that ROP.

Aeander · August 28

I've gotta get myself into the mindset to enjoy this show...

*whacks self in the skull with a hammer 32 times and huffs an entire can of spray paint*

Alright, let's do this.

Neoyoshi · August 28

Tolkien would be turning over in his grave if he found out Elves looked this pretty.

Tolkien's elves were not these glamorous beings that a person awed or admired, they did not have human-like features. There is more to it than that, but let's just say the Elder Scrolls, Neverwinter Nights, Baldurs Gate games were more faithful with elves then Peter Jackson was.

I love Peter Jackson's films, but man the elves...... that was my only real gripe, hehe. Still, LOTR is a masterpiece and i love the books as much as i love those movies, and i watch the extended versions pretty regularly.

That said, i don't know if my stomach could handle watching these Amazon re-tellings.

BluntedJ · August 28

Thank you for this article. It was a treat to read. I had been busy the last day and TOTALLY forgot to watch.

But first, I do what I love to do for shows I want to watch, and that's rewatch the last season without the weekly interruption to get caught up again.

Sovrath · August 28

Neoyoshi said:

Tolkien would be turning over in his grave if he found out Elves looked this pretty.

Tolkien's elves were not these glamorous beings that a person awed or admired, they did not have human-like features. There is more to it than that, but let's just say the Elder Scrolls, Neverwinter Nights, Baldurs Gate games were more faithful with elves then Peter Jackson was.

I love Peter Jackson's films, but man the elves...... that was my only real gripe, hehe. Still, LOTR is a masterpiece and i love the books as much as i love those movies, and i watch the extended versions pretty regularly.

That said, i don't know if my stomach could handle watching these Amazon re-tellings.

Is there someplace where Tolkien says they aren’t beautiful? Because I seem to remember him saying they were.

Sovrath · August 28

I think the Hobbit movies are underrated. Sure there are liberties but they are well made and a lot of fun.

There are also fan cuts that remove a good amount of the added stuff.

Elidien_ga · August 28

Sovrath said:

Neoyoshi said:

Tolkien would be turning over in his grave if he found out Elves looked this pretty.

Tolkien's elves were not these glamorous beings that a person awed or admired, they did not have human-like features. There is more to it than that, but let's just say the Elder Scrolls, Neverwinter Nights, Baldurs Gate games were more faithful with elves then Peter Jackson was.

I love Peter Jackson's films, but man the elves...... that was my only real gripe, hehe. Still, LOTR is a masterpiece and i love the books as much as i love those movies, and i watch the extended versions pretty regularly.

That said, i don't know if my stomach could handle watching these Amazon re-tellings.

Is there someplace where Tolkien says they aren’t beautiful? Because I seem to remember him saying they were.

Elves came in all kinds of beauty and looks. In addition GASP Tolkien also wrote that female dwarves had beards and telling male and female apart for dwarves was difficult. People want to criticize Rings of Power based on their own personal view of what Tolkien's world should be like or look like. Very few truly know and understand. Considering the involvement of the Tolkien estate and Tolkien scholars like Tom Shippey in the production of the show, the show is actually very faithful to Tolkien's world with some necessary changes (like speeding up the events of the 2nd Age). I am not going to link the individual sources and notes but this is a good starting point:

https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Elven_characteristics

Slapshot1188 · August 28

I waited for about a year I guess before I tried to watch the first season. I knew that if I watched it right off, I would hate it. So I gave it time to settle down and for the controversy to dissipate.

I guess it was a month or two ago that I sat down to start binge watching.

Sadly, I just couldn't do it. I found the first episode to be just incredibly unlikeable that I had to force myself to watch the whole thing. I never loaded episode 2.

That said, the trailers for season 2 certainly LOOK better, but.. I just do not think I can get myself to watch. The writing was horrendous IMHO and the characters were forced. Other than the setting, it just did not seem very Tolkien like. YMMV and you aren't a bad person for liking it though (sad I feel compelled to say that but this is the world we live in today).

olepi · August 28

Aeander said:

I've gotta get myself into the mindset to enjoy this show...

*whacks self in the skull with a hammer 32 times and huffs an entire can of spray paint*

Alright, let's do this.

Don't forget, if you're gonna huff paint make sure and get the metallic base paints.

Sovrath · August 28

Elidien_ga said:

Sovrath said:

Neoyoshi said:

Tolkien would be turning over in his grave if he found out Elves looked this pretty.

Tolkien's elves were not these glamorous beings that a person awed or admired, they did not have human-like features. There is more to it than that, but let's just say the Elder Scrolls, Neverwinter Nights, Baldurs Gate games were more faithful with elves then Peter Jackson was.

I love Peter Jackson's films, but man the elves...... that was my only real gripe, hehe. Still, LOTR is a masterpiece and i love the books as much as i love those movies, and i watch the extended versions pretty regularly.

That said, i don't know if my stomach could handle watching these Amazon re-tellings.

Is there someplace where Tolkien says they aren’t beautiful? Because I seem to remember him saying they were.

Elves came in all kinds of beauty and looks. In addition GASP Tolkien also wrote that female dwarves had beards and telling male and female apart for dwarves was difficult. People want to criticize Rings of Power based on their own personal view of what Tolkien's world should be like or look like. Very few truly know and understand. Considering the involvement of the Tolkien estate and Tolkien scholars like Tom Shippey in the production of the show, the show is actually very faithful to Tolkien's world with some necessary changes (like speeding up the events of the 2nd Age). I am not going to link the individual sources and notes but this is a good starting point:

https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Elven_characteristics

Ok still not seeing that. That link leads to an entry saying they were the most beautiful creatures in Arda and more beautiful than the race of men.

As far as Dwarven women, sure they have beards. I think portraying them without is an optics thing as you need the audience to accept them without issue.

Put beards on them and non Tolkien fans are going to be confused.

Elidien_ga · August 28

Slapshot1188 said:

I waited for about a year I guess before I tried to watch the first season. I knew that if I watched it right off, I would hate it. So I gave it time to settle down and for the controversy to dissipate.

I guess it was a month or two ago that I sat down to start binge watching.

Sadly, I just couldn't do it. I found the first episode to be just incredibly unlikeable that I had to force myself to watch the whole thing. I never loaded episode 2.

That said, the trailers for season 2 certainly LOOK better, but.. I just do not think I can get myself to watch. The writing was horrendous IMHO and the characters were forced. Other than the setting, it just did not seem very Tolkien like. YMMV and you aren't a bad person for liking it though (sad I feel compelled to say that but this is the world we live in today).

I can understand this. The entire first season relied on a narrative hook and "gotcha" moment and it really ruined the pacing. It had some incredible moments for sure but I agree fully - I think this season is what people were more apt to be wanting in the show. The entire first season can be summed up in just a few sentences. That said I was excited and still am to see the 2nd Age and the time period.

Scot · August 28

The first series has had a huge panning from Tolkien fans and fantasy fans alike, apparently only 37% of viewers made it to the end.

Lore wise it was too early for Hobbits and Dunedain, but you still could have had other races of humans. This was basically "lets do second age to make our mark and transport as much iconic stuff from the third age as we can".

Stylistically some hairstyles, armour and 'unfunctional clothing' was taken to task.

But I think all of that would have been forgiven if the story, acting and characterisation was good enough, but although not poor it seems that at best was average. Just like in gaming with so many new titles coming out average is not good enough.

Elidien_ga · August 28

The first recorded knowledge of Hobbits was early 3rd Age but that just the recorded history. I think the characterization of the Harfoots is spot on in all ways of the Hobbits. That story is separate from Sauron and Numenor and Elves right now. Tolkien left holes in his writings and sometimes, to tell a complete story, those holes have to be filled.

WhiteLantern · August 28

I watched season 1 twice. Enjoyed it both times.
/shrug
Maybe I just don't get too caught up in "how things should be". Especially in a world as shallow (lore-wise) as Middle Earth.

Asm0deus · August 28

After forcing myself to watch season 1 I wont be doing so with s02.....such crapola.

lotrlore · August 28

Slapshot1188 said:

I waited for about a year I guess before I tried to watch the first season. I knew that if I watched it right off, I would hate it. So I gave it time to settle down and for the controversy to dissipate.

I guess it was a month or two ago that I sat down to start binge watching.

Sadly, I just couldn't do it. I found the first episode to be just incredibly unlikeable that I had to force myself to watch the whole thing. I never loaded episode 2.

That said, the trailers for season 2 certainly LOOK better, but.. I just do not think I can get myself to watch. The writing was horrendous IMHO and the characters were forced. Other than the setting, it just did not seem very Tolkien like. YMMV and you aren't a bad person for liking it though (sad I feel compelled to say that but this is the world we live in today).

I'm going to be honest, Season 1 was hard for me to go back and watch. Part of what made it fun to watch in the moment, at least for me, was being able to take part in the broader discourse around it. But in a vacuum, the writing was rough (again, "the sea is always right?")

That said, I have already watched season 2's first few episodes twice, and I do think that they lean more into feeling Tolkienianl than the previous season. That season had its moments, especially if you really dive deep, but it didn't feel Tolkienian at a surface level. Season 2, at least in my mind, does. And that helps me tremendously as someone who both understands that this isn't canon and won't ever be, but also wants to see the true story and spirit of the Professor's writing portrayed properly and as accurately as they can.

Whether the rest of the season holds up remains to be seen, but I do think it's worth giving another shot, if for no other reason than to get to season 2, where it does get much better from the jump.

Slapshot1188 · August 28

lotrlore said:

Slapshot1188 said:

I waited for about a year I guess before I tried to watch the first season. I knew that if I watched it right off, I would hate it. So I gave it time to settle down and for the controversy to dissipate.

I guess it was a month or two ago that I sat down to start binge watching.

Sadly, I just couldn't do it. I found the first episode to be just incredibly unlikeable that I had to force myself to watch the whole thing. I never loaded episode 2.

That said, the trailers for season 2 certainly LOOK better, but.. I just do not think I can get myself to watch. The writing was horrendous IMHO and the characters were forced. Other than the setting, it just did not seem very Tolkien like. YMMV and you aren't a bad person for liking it though (sad I feel compelled to say that but this is the world we live in today).

I'm going to be honest, Season 1 was hard for me to go back and watch. Part of what made it fun to watch in the moment, at least for me, was being able to take part in the broader discourse around it. But in a vacuum, the writing was rough (again, "the sea is always right?")

That said, I have already watched season 2's first few episodes twice, and I do think that they lean more into feeling Tolkienianl than the previous season. That season had its moments, especially if you really dive deep, but it didn't feel Tolkienian at a surface level. Season 2, at least in my mind, does. And that helps me tremendously as someone who both understands that this isn't canon and won't ever be, but also wants to see the true story and spirit of the Professor's writing portrayed properly and as accurately as they can.

Whether the rest of the season holds up remains to be seen, but I do think it's worth giving another shot, if for no other reason than to get to season 2, where it does get much better from the jump.

Can I just start with Season 2? or would I be totally lost?

lotrlore · August 28

Slapshot1188 said:
Can I just start with Season 2? or would I be totally lost?

I'm assuming you know what happens with the broader narrative. So like, if you already know about the Akallabeth, war with Eregion, and more the broader points won't be lost.

However, because there is so little exact detail that ROP can pull from, the created characters like Arondir (best new elf, IMO) or Adar's arc will be confusing. But the season 1 recap with the first episode (and it's on YouTube) could get you up to speed most of the way.

Elidien_ga · August 28

lotrlore said:

Slapshot1188 said:
Can I just start with Season 2? or would I be totally lost?

I'm assuming you know what happens with the broader narrative. So like, if you already know about the Akallabeth, war with Eregion, and more the broader points won't be lost.

However, because there is so little exact detail that ROP can pull from, the created characters like Arondir (best new elf, IMO) or Adar's arc will be confusing. But the season 1 recap with the first episode (and it's on YouTube) could get you up to speed most of the way.

Read the episode descriptions on Wikipedia. I do recommend episodes 6 and 7 though, especially the end of 6. It is really a big WOW moment.

I am on a re-watch of it and knowing where the season ends up, re-frames it for me so I have found it more interesting than my first watch.

helot · August 28

First season was so bad they don't get another chance.

BrotherMaynard · August 28

And so continues the talentless hacks' ridiculous fan fiction of our time. This show has virtually nothing to do with Tolkien's works. Beyond using names and locations, Tolkien's work has been completely massacred by Amazon and what we have here is another dose of slop for the fabled "modern audience". Let's see if Season 2 even reaches the sad performance of the previous one.

All the core parts of Tolkien's work and philosophy behind his legendarium, including fundamental elements involving Sauron, the Elves and pretty much everything else have been butchered beyond recognition and these barbarians have the temerity to lie through their teeth about their respect for the original work. The morons acting in this garbage even claim that Sauron and Galadriel have a "psychic connection" or that there is some kind of romance between them, and that they are "magical beings". How such stupidity and ignorance are allowed anywhere near Tolkien's work is completely beyond me. But I guess money can indeed buy anything and anyone - even Tolkien Estate.

When Cristopher Tolkien bemoaned Jackson's adaptation, which 'turned JRRT's work into an action movie for young adults' how little did he know what these Hollywood clowns are truly capable of. This show is a deliberate butchery of Tolkien's work and not worthy of any association with the source material.

Elidien_ga said:

Considering the involvement of the Tolkien estate and Tolkien scholars like Tom Shippey in the production of the show, the show is actually very faithful to Tolkien's world

It demonstrably is not faithful to Tolkien by any definition. It completely butchers his work.

Tom Shippey is not involved with the show, he departed the team very soon after work on Season 1 began. We can only guess that when he saw the barbarism of Amazon and the entire crew, he would not accept to have his name tarnished with this travesty.

Tolkien Estate of 2024 is miles away from Tolkien Estate pre-January 2020. Those vultures sold out to Amazon everything CJRT nurtured and protected after JRRT's death. It's probably a good thing that CJRT did not live to see what happened to his father's work.

Elidien_ga · August 28

It butchers his work in the same way everything else has. Animation, Jackson's movies, video games, etc...

Tolkien is impossible to adapt to any media without creative license. Its the nature of his work.

So we have two options - just like with people who argue and screen about Star Wars, Harry Potter, and any other major fandom.

Either we get new media - movies, games, tv shows, anime, etc... or we do not. At the end of the day, I am thankful to get new Tolkien adaptations as it shows the desire for his stories and world is still thriving. I may disagree with changes or parts here of there but I will take it over a world where it ceases to be.

Valentina · August 28

Elidien_ga said:

It butchers his work in the same way everything else has. Animation, Jackson's movies, video games, etc...

Tolkien is impossible to adapt to any media without creative license. Its the nature of his work.

So we have two options - just like with people who argue and screen about Star Wars, Harry Potter, and any other major fandom.

Either we get new media - movies, games, tv shows, anime, etc... or we do not. At the end of the day, I am thankful to get new Tolkien adaptations as it shows the desire for his stories and world is still thriving. I may disagree with changes or parts here of there but I will take it over a world where it ceases to be.

pretty much my view as well. people really have a hard time simply enjoying something, and enjoying that we get to see more of a fictional world we love and the imagination that world inspires. this is why i generally don't care what other people think about these kinds of things as fandoms are often so uptight and purist they're impossible to appease because there will always be 10,000 things wrong with any adaption in many peoples minds. i just watch for myself and make up my own mind on whether i liked it or not.

in the case of this show, i enjoyed it, i enjoyed watching an adaptation of these events and getting to see further development of characters i really like from the original material, as well as seeing an adaptation of middle earth beyond the entry point of the hobbit and lord of the rings.

BrotherMaynard · August 28

Elidien_ga said:

It butchers his work in the same way everything else has. Animation, Jackson's movies, video games, etc...

Tolkien is impossible to adapt to any media without creative license. Its the nature of his work.

So we have two options - just like with people who argue and screen about Star Wars, Harry Potter, and any other major fandom.

Either we get new media - movies, games, tv shows, anime, etc... or we do not. At the end of the day, I am thankful to get new Tolkien adaptations as it shows the desire for his stories and world is still thriving. I may disagree with changes or parts here of there but I will take it over a world where it ceases to be.

Oh, I definitely agree with the first part of your post; don't even get me started on the whole Shadow of Mordor nonsense, that would take an entire diatribe.

However, the second part is where I disagree completely. Sure, people enjoy all kinds of stuff and not everyone spends their evenings re-reading The Brothers Karamazov for 15th time. But that is not a reason for dumbing down existing classics so that they can be consumed by a popcorn-munching, soda-slurping audience laughing at feeble burp jokes.

There are many works that should not be adapted and should be left for the people to work towards, instead of trying to lower them to their level. It's the whole arguing with idiots maxim all over again.

Many people will not make the effort and that is fine (well, almost - it's just reality). But to instead completely ruin such material in order to get to their level - or worse yet, use it as a hollowed-out vehicle for your own pathetic fan fiction generously sprinkled with modern agitprop, as is the case with this show - is the exact opposite of what should be happening.

The whole idea is for the people to aspire to something more, something higher, especially intellectually. And if they are not willing to or unable to: they should definitely not be lied to by claiming the slop they're watching is actually what this or that great work is about. We've had plenty of experience with rewriting history and this is the same thing happening again through "adaptation" of cultural works. It is just as dangerous as what we saw last century.

Hollywood has been an endless deluge of slop for the better part of two decades and this new instalment just shows how low they are willing to push the bar.

It reminds me a bit of Mitchell & Webb...

Or the Idiocracy.

ValdemarJ · August 28

WhiteLantern said:

I watched season 1 twice. Enjoyed it both times.
/shrug
Maybe I just don't get too caught up in "how things should be". Especially in a world as shallow (lore-wise) as Middle Earth.

Feel about the same. Liked the Fallout show even too, which surprised me.

For me, the Netflix Witcher series, live action Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Borderlands movie are the big disappointments.

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