TV Review: ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Season 2

The Tolkien-derived series, which takes place thousands of years before the events of ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’, returns on strong form.

'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 via Prime Video on August 29th, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ continues to largely justify the huge amounts of cash Amazon splashed on the rights to J.R.R. Tolkien’s “secondary material” for stories set long before the timelines of ‘The Hobbit’ or the main ‘Rings’ narrative.

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

Does ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Season 2 have some magic?

'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' season 2. Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon MGM Studios.

The first season might be best described as scene-setting or like an orchestra tuning up before launching into the overture ahead of the main performance. There were myriad characters to introduce and storylines to set up, a difficult juggling act that meant a few were left somewhat wanting.

As Season 2 dawns, there is a lot more in place and storylines can continue (albeit with one or two confusing time jumps, especially when it comes to Charlie Vickers’ Sauron, whose plot appears to have been thrown in a blender in terms of where we are with him at any one point in the initial two episodes.

Script and Direction

(L to R) Gavi Singh Chera as Merimac, Megan Richards as Poppy, Markella Kavenagh as Nori, Tanya Moodie 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 J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay lead their writing team down some solid paths, with the most urgent catch-ups (particularly with Morfydd Clark’s Galadriel and Vickers’ own story as Sauron schemes) fore fronted in the initial story.

It feels like the collected writer/producers have a better idea this year on how to let the various strands breathe, even as they introduce new characters and complications for our heroes.

A switch in filming locations from New Zealand to the U.K. has not diminished the epic scope and scale of the series, which, while it can’t always rival Peter Jackson’s cinematic visions, still makes the world vivid and large.

Season 2 directors Charlotte Brändström (who returns from working on the first), Sanaa Hamri and Louise Hooper keep the show looking great (with just the occasional hint of misty CG work).

Performances

Though not every performance can have the charm and power of the leads, the ensemble all work hard to bring their characters to life.

Morfydd Clark as Galadriel

Morfydd Clark as Galadriel in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' season 2. Credit: Ross Ferguson / Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon MGM Studios.

The anchor of the show (alongside perhaps Vickers), Clark continues to impress as elf warrior (and future mystic) Galadriel. Though viewers might sometimes share her frustration that few of the elves around her share her concerns when it comes to the very real threat of Sauron, Clark 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 Clark, Vickers gets a lot to chew on as the Dark Lord; seductive and sometimes serene, he’s once more given various different shades of Sauron to play and does well by them all.

Daniel Weyman as The Stranger

Daniel Weyman 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 still saying the G-word yet (that would be “Gandalf” for anyone unaware), but there is plenty of talk about names in the initial couple of episodes. On his quest with Harfoots Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and Poppy (Megan Richards), he’s still something of a mystery, but is brought into contact with a new threat (more on that below).

Sophia Nomvete as Dwarf princess Disa

(L to R) Owain Arthur as Prince Durin IV and Sophia Nomvete 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 (Owain Arthur) and, indeed anyone she comes into contact with are a delight. She 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 mystery 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 Thoughts

(L to R) Robert Aramayo as Elrond; Morfydd Clark 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 was figuring out what the show needed to be, Season 2 represents the creators really able to run with the idea, having worked out some of the kinks. A few remain –– not every character works, but the vast majority are entertaining, and the show remains very watchable even if you sometimes have to consult a web guide to remind yourself who everyone is and how they fit into the sprawling lore.

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

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

"Evil has had many names."

TV-142 SeasonsSeptember 1st, 2022

Watch The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Online

What is the plot of 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season 2?

In Season Two of ‘The Rings of Power’, Sauron (Charlie Vickers) has returned. Cast out by Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), without an army or ally, the rising Dark Lord must now rely on his own cunning to rebuild his strength and oversee the creation of the Rings of Power, which will allow him to bind all the peoples of Middle-Earth to his sinister will. Building on Season One’s epic scope and ambition, the new season plunges even its most beloved and vulnerable characters into a rising tide of darkness, challenging each to find their place in a world that is increasingly on the brink of calamity. Elves and dwarves, orcs and men, wizards and Harfoots… as friendships are strained and kingdoms begin to fracture, the forces of good will struggle ever more valiantly to hold on to what matters to them most of all… each other.