The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power - Season 1

After the first two episodes, my enthusiasm for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has diminished. The series is not bad, but it does not always deliver the promise that was in the first two episodes. The series nowhere — except for episodes six and eight — really lives up to it. You can see from the sets and decorations that a lot of money has been put into it, but the pace is the most disturbing factor; it rocks as if swinging back and forth between severe storms and fair weather.

In addition, I like the protagonist Galadriel (Morfydd Clark, Dracula) in the beginning; you understand her sadness and despair. Unfortunately, that sympathy sinks more and more as the episodes progress. Hobbits that aren't Hobbits, and yet are? It's a bit confusing sometimes. I really like the Dwarves and also the young Elrond (Robert Aramayo, Behind Her Eyes) who balances between friendship with Prince Durin IV (Owain Arthur, Hard Sun) and loyalty to his people.

Sometimes to find the light, we must first touch the darkness.

Some stories are too long and others too short. There is no line in the pace and narration of the four groups of people you follow. In one episode we follow the Dwarves and Elrond for a long time. Then we are again much too long present in Númenor or too short with the Elves. Some dialogues are too long, others too short. For a moment I thought they finally figured it out in episode six only to let it weaken again in the next episode.

What you have always been. My friend.

There are also imperfections that you cannot simply brush away. Because I don't want to spoil anything, I can't go into more detail here, but the trained viewer will certainly have noticed that some things really can't be done. Not even in Tolkien's fantasy world. I sincerely hope that the second season will be less fragmentary and the pace will become more regular.

Because there is nothing wrong with the story as it is. We see the beginning of the Elves going to Middle-earth to save the place from a terrible tyrant. You could do something with that, you would think, but unfortunately, the series occasionally suffocates in the oppressive script. As a viewer, you are not waiting for that. Whether the direction and the chosen format also have an influence on this I dare not say, but the series needs an extra bottle of oxygen to make it to the third season.

The last episode then ensures that, just like in episode six, you are on the edge of your seat. You roll from amazement, to bewilderment, to disbelief, to emotion, to see… or not, and to what the f**k. I would have preferred to see all these emotions throughout the season, but what isn't may yet come. I am moderately excited about the second season.

I give a 7.5, with the most points going to the sets and decoration, not to mention the steadfast Princess Disa and gullible Nori.