The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of PowerSeason 1 continues to divide audiences after two years as the show dominates Prime Video’s TV chart ahead of Season 2. The imminent arrival of the sophomore season of the streamer’s hugely expensive and heavily criticized foray into the fantasy world of J.R.R. Tolkien has seen a surge of interest in the 2022 debut season. However, it seems that even now, there is a strong negative reaction to the series.
Thesecond season ofThe Rings of Powerpromises to bring more action to the small screen in a direct response to complaints about Season 1’s slow story build up. However, those just discovering – or rewatching – the original episodes still have the same complaints they did when the series arrived on Prime Video. Although the world of Tolkien is well-known, thanks in part to the almost untouchableLord of the Ringstrilogy released between 2001 and 2003, this story takes place many years before the events of those movies, and beforeThe Hobbit, meaning there is a whole new world to be introduced.
The Rings of Power
This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and takes viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness. Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.
While viewership forThe Rings of Powerhas once again soared, with the show becoming the first to dethroneThe Boysfrom the top of the charts following the arrival of its fourth season two months ago, but the rocky reception does not bode well for Season 2’s premiere on Thursday.
The Rings of Power Showrunners Have Listened to Audiences
Although the complaints againstThe Rings of Powerare not all based on the show itself, with the series becoming the target for racially charged review bombing on its original release, there are plenty of negative reviews that make particular note to bad dialogue, slow plotting, and several changes to Tolkien canon for showrunners to make it clear that for Season 2, they have taken all the comments on board and hope to deliver a very different season this time around. Patrick McKay recently said of the new season:
“Season 2 was largely written before Season 1 came out, but Season 2 has been produced after Season 1 came out. Part of the learning process for us on this is really seeing what people seem to respond to in the show.”
Rings of Power Star Shares His Thoughts on The Stranger Being Gandalf
The LOTR fan favorite unpacks The Stranger’s upcoming epic journey with the Harfoots and why Season 2 is full of panic.
Whether this is something that makes a difference to audiences is something we will know very soon withThe Rings of Power’s Season 2 debut coming on August 29. With the promise of epic battles, morefamiliar connections to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, the long awaited appearance of Tom Bombadil in live action, and the return of the fearsome balrog, there should be something for everyone in the new episodes.
Lord of the Rings: The Rings of PowerSeason 1 is available to stream in its entirety on Prime Video. Season 2 will release new episode each week.
You can check out our Season 2 interview with Rings of Power stars Sam Hazeldine & Morfydd Clark below:
