“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” is a prequel series set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel. It follows the forging of the rings and the rise of Sauron, told across the realms of Middle-earth. The show debuted in September 2022 on Prime Video, and it carries a critical score of 7.1 out of 10.
Trailer, via Prime Video.
The Rings and the Forging
The first season focuses on the creation of the rings themselves. The elves, dwarves, and men each receive a share of the power of the One Ring, and the series tracks how those gifts change the people who hold them. The show spends considerable time establishing the political landscape of Middle-earth, showing how alliances shift and conflicts simmer beneath the surface.
The show also introduces Galadriel as a young elf, played by Morfydd Clark. Her arc runs through the entire season, as she navigates the political machinations of her people and the growing threat from the east. Her scenes carry much of the emotional weight of the first season.
The show’s visual effects are ambitious. The series recreates Middle-earth with a scale that matches the source material, from the towering peaks of the Misty Mountains to the sprawling plains of Rohan. The production design draws heavily on Tolkien’s descriptions, giving the show a consistent look that grounds the fantasy in something readers can recognize.
The Characters
The cast is large, and the show tries to juggle multiple storylines at once. That approach works sometimes and fails other times. Here are the main threads:
- Galadriel’s political maneuvering among the elves
- The dwarf kingdom of Khazad-dûm and its conflict with the orcs
- The human realm of Adûn and its uneasy alliance with the elves
- The Númenóreans and their expansion into Middle-earth
- The growing presence of Sauron in the east
The show handles the dwarves and humans with less depth than it handles the elves. Their arcs feel rushed, especially compared to Galadriel’s slow-burn development. The show’s pacing suffers in the middle stretch of the season, where several storylines stall while the focus shifts back to Galadriel.
The show’s biggest strength is its world-building. Middle-earth is rendered with care, from the architecture of Minas Tirith to the forests of Lothlórien. The costumes and sets are detailed, and the show’s attention to period-appropriate design pays off in the final episodes.
What Works and What Falls Short
The show’s strengths are its world-building and its performances. Morfydd Clark gives a strong lead performance as Galadriel, bringing youthful ambition and moral complexity to the character. The supporting cast is solid across the board, though some actors have less to do than others.
The show’s weaknesses come from its pacing and its handling of multiple storylines. Some characters are introduced and then left behind, which breaks the sense of continuity the show otherwise builds. The show also leans heavily on exposition, often having characters explain things to each other that viewers already know, which slows down the momentum.
The show’s tone shifts depending on which storyline is being followed. Galadriel’s scenes are intimate and character-driven, while the orc and dwarf battles are more action-oriented. These tonal shifts are not always smooth, and they occasionally break the immersion.
The First Season’s Arc
| Storyline | Focus | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galadriel’s arc | Political intrigue among the elves | Strong lead performance | Rushed middle episodes |
| Dwarf kingdom of Khazad-dûm | Orc conflict and mining wars | World-building detail | Underdeveloped characters |
| Human realm of Adûn | Alliance politics with the elves | Historical context | Uneasy alliance tension |
| Númenóreans | Expansion into Middle-earth | Epic scope | Less character focus |
| Sauron’s presence | Growing threat in the east | Long-term stakes | Minimal screen time |
The table shows how the show splits its attention across five major storylines. Galadriel’s arc gets the most attention, but the dwarf and human storylines are underdeveloped by comparison.
The Final Episodes
The season finale brings the various threads together, though not all of them get satisfying conclusions. The show sets up a clear path for future seasons, leaving the audience wanting more. The cliffhanger ending is designed to keep viewers subscribed, and it delivers on that promise.
The show’s music score, composed by Howard Shore, carries a familiar Tolkien-inspired sound. It supports the epic scope of the series without overwhelming the dialogue. The score is a constant presence, underscoring the weight of the narrative.
The show’s release on Prime Video means it is available to stream worldwide. The series was released in weekly installments, which kept audiences engaged week to week.
The show’s success has been measured in viewership numbers, which have been strong since its debut. The show has also drawn comparisons to other fantasy series, though the direct comparisons vary widely depending on the viewer’s perspective.
“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” is a worthy addition to the Tolkien canon. It respects the source material while expanding the mythology in new directions. The show is uneven, but its best moments are genuinely compelling.
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