The Rings of Power Season 2 Review: A Disastrous Misstep for Prime Video’s Fantasy Epic
Prime Video’s The Rings of Power Season 2 is plagued by poor decisions, flat characters, and uneven storytelling, making it a disappointing sequel to its predecessor.
The Rings of Power Season 2 stumbles with poor decision-making, lackluster writing, and underdeveloped characters. Though there are moments of brilliance, the season as a whole fails to deliver the emotional depth or excitement that fans expect from a fantasy epic of this scale.
The Rings of Power Season 2: An Underwhelming Chapter in Amazon’s Fantasy Epic
Season 2 of The Rings of Power promised an expansion of the epic narrative set in Middle-earth, building on the strong foundation of Season 1. With a darker timeline, thrilling characters, and deeper storylines, viewers expected a more gripping continuation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary universe. However, despite the rich material available, the second season falls short in several key areas, leaving fans dissatisfied and disconnected from the story.
Stumbling From the Start: Lost Opportunities and Poor Decisions
The season picks up from where Season 1 left off, revealing that Halbrand, played by Charlie Vickers, was Sauron in disguise all along. The expectation was that this revelation would lead to a more thrilling plot, especially with Sauron’s plans to forge a new kind of power to control Middle-earth. Unfortunately, this shift fails to energize the show. While the first three episodes hold some promise, the storytelling quickly derails into repetitive scenes and heavy-handed explanations. Each episode feels unnecessarily stretched, with moments that could have been condensed, reducing any real sense of urgency or excitement.
In the first season, the decision-making around character dynamics was more coherent, but Season 2 introduces several missteps—none more glaring than the decision to kill off Bronwyn, a well-loved character, simply because the actor, Nazanin Boniadi, left the show. This, along with other poor choices, highlights a lack of clear direction from the creators, JD Payne and Patrick McKay. Much like Bronwyn’s unnecessary exit, other elements of the story seem to lack purpose or payoff, frustrating viewers who had grown attached to certain arcs.
A Lack of Memorable Moments
One of the most striking differences between The Lord of the Rings films and The Rings of Power series is just how forgettable the latter feels. While fans of the films can recall specific scenes, camera angles, and even minor characters with ease, The Rings of Power lacks that staying power. Despite grand visuals and an expansive cast, the series doesn’t seem to resonate on an emotional level.
Though The Rings of Power Season 1 wasn’t perfect, it at least laid the groundwork for character development and world-building. In contrast, Season 2 struggles to maintain any kind of emotional depth or connection with the audience. Moments that could have been iconic—such as the revelation of the Istari’s identity as Gandalf—are spoiled by forced humor and a predictable plot.
Characters Struggle to Shine
Despite the potential of key subplots, such as the strained relationships between Prince Durin IV and his father, or Elrond’s fear of Galadriel falling into Sauron’s trap again, most of the character arcs fall flat. There are glimmers of brilliance, especially in the interactions between Annatar/Sauron and Celebrimbor, but even these become repetitive. Although the performances by Vickers and Charles Edwards add some intrigue, the material doesn’t give them enough room to grow.
Similarly, the chemistry between Arondir and Theo, a strong point in the first season, is underutilized in this installment. The same applies to the characters of Míriel and Elendil, whose stories lack the development necessary to keep viewers invested.
Even new characters, like the mysterious Estrid, fail to leave a lasting impression due to uninspired writing. The Ents, whose presence could have added depth and wonder, are introduced briefly and then forgotten, a perfect symbol for the season’s inability to capitalize on its many opportunities.
A Disjointed Storyline Lacking Focus
Another major flaw in Season 2 is the disjointed narrative structure. Instead of seamlessly weaving together different storylines, the show jumps between subplots in a way that feels erratic and disorienting. Viewers are left waiting for certain arcs to resume after episodes of being ignored, which disrupts the overall flow of the series.
In an attempt to juggle multiple stories, the show fails to give each character or storyline the attention it deserves. This approach undermines the potential for any of the plotlines to fully resonate.
A Few Bright Spots in a Gloomy Season
There are some redeeming moments amidst the gloom. King Durin III’s face-off with the Balrog is a thrilling and memorable scene, and Míriel’s gift of Narsil to Elendil is another highlight. These moments, though fleeting, remind us of the grandeur The Rings of Power is capable of but too rarely achieves.
Several actors stand out despite the uneven material. Vickers and Edwards deliver particularly strong performances, maintaining a compelling dynamic throughout the season. Leon Wadham and Trystan Gravelle also bring depth to their roles, though their characters’ development is undercut by the show’s overall lack of direction. Unfortunately, even strong performances can’t fully compensate for the numerous issues with pacing and plot.
A Hollow Ending, But a Flicker of Hope
The season’s final episodes are a major letdown, especially in light of the slow build-up. Scenes that should have been climactic and powerful, like Galadriel’s confrontation with Adar, fall flat due to poor writing and rushed execution. By the time the finale arrives, any anticipation for the next season is tempered by disappointment.
Still, not all hope is lost for The Rings of Power. If the creators can address the show’s pacing issues and deepen the emotional stakes, there’s a chance that future seasons could recapture the magic that The Lord of the Rings fans crave.
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