The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power 2×01: Sauron Ready to Attack

Season 1 The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Powertook J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic lyricism to new heights. This despite the fact that it wasn’t a direct adaptation of any of his works and that in some cases it took huge liberties with the writer’s strict official canon. The second half of the series took a different direction, one that was already evident in the first episode. Darker, grittier, and overall much closer to the feeling of the malignant evil that Sauron (Charlie Vickers) embodies. He is everywhere and ready to attack in the most brutal way imaginable.

So take the time and interest to explore the character in more depth. And for the first time, having already revealed his identity in the season finale of the previous part, it tells what happened long before he presented himself as Halbrand to Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) as an unconditional ally. In a lengthy prologue of at least twenty minutes, the series tells how Mayar corrupted, he was killed by Adar (Sam Hazeldine), an event that, once again, takes – notable – liberties with Tolkien’s world, but gives Sauron greater significance as an enemy to be defeated. That is, having established that he can be taken by surprise due to his vanity and arrogance.

The twist gives the context of Middle-earth’s greatest villain a tragic tone. In fact, that’s the tone of the story, which suggests from the start that the evil being Vickers plays is the center of what he’s telling. In this way, it nuances his personality and makes him — understandably — more relatable than ever. The actor also explores his ambiguity far more skillfully, so that he’s no longer just an enemy to be overcome. He’s central to understanding the show’s overall plot and its greatest conflict going forward.

An evil creature with a destiny to fulfill

The enemy of the free people of the legendary territory wants to control and dominate it. And immediately begin to take the first steps in this direction. The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power The pace picks up, and the decision to move away from the calm of the previous ones is notable. Because of this, the first approach to Sauron’s story seems strange for the plot itself. An application that doesn’t immediately fit in with the rest of what’s shown.

This disconnect affects the rest of the plots explored in the first episode, too. Especially when Sauron takes the form of Annatar and immediately sets out what his goal will be from now on. The scene, while great, separates him from the rest of the plot and confirms that his mission will be perhaps the clearest and best-told twist in the series. Namely, to seduce Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) into continuing to create more powerful rings. A moment that the season opener analyzes as the most important of the season, and which, moreover, He controls the destinies of those who are not even in Eregion.

As you remember, at the end of the first season The Lord of the Rings: Rings of PowerGaladriel had discovered that the mysterious craftsman Hallbrand was Sauron. Which somehow pointed to something worse. That the Rings of Power – at least three of them – were directly influenced by Mayar corrupt. Something that could mean that the gem’s power is not as pure as one might expect. But in the midst of a critical situation—the loss of her people’s longevity—the elf warrior avoided telling this important detail. The new part picks up this theme and develops it further.

Which means that now, with the support of Gil-galad, the great king of the elves (Benjamin Walker), the Rings have become objects of no small importance to everyone. In fact, the first episode, as Elrond (Robert Aramayo) makes clear, is vital to the survival of the children of Valinor. This, despite the protests of Galadriel or the fact that the conflicting opinions of both set them against each other.

From the Grey Havens to the Dwarven Mines

The rest of the chapter is devoted to more or less accurately describing where each character is — and what they’re doing — from this point on. Elrond, finally concerned about the nature of the Rings created by Celebrimbor, seeks help from Círdan (Ben Daniels), Lord of the Grey Havens. He’s also the only character who can explain Sauron’s ability to deceive, which, without him even knowing, has not only found a way to break fence around the blacksmith, but won his trust.

On the other side of Middle-earth, the Dwarf royal hierarchy is struggling to survive the upheaval it suffered in the previous season finale, after the King (Peter Mullan) disowned Durin (Owain Arthur) for mining for mithril. The third finds the character struggling to survive while being excluded from any decision. But much more, in the middle of nowhere. Again, both the Dwarf Prince and his wife Disa (Sophia Nomvethe) are comic relief. Beyond the announcement of his new status in Khazad-dum, little is explored about what’s to come. further with the characters.

Much of the first episode of the new season has the feel of an interim or introductory story. This affects not only how you present events, but also how everything you show happens in sequence. Continuity is a very important element in this opening episode, but also its weakest point. Above all, when every figure in the game makes it clear that this story is of interest in all areas of Middle-earth.

The Hairy Boys are back in action

In what remains the show’s slowest, most disconnected, and at times least interesting plot, the Peloso continue their journey into unknown territory. Nori Brandyfoot (Markella Cavenaugh) and Poppy Proudfellow (Megan Richards) accompany the Stranger (Daniel Weyman) to the mysterious land of Rune. But the show fails to immediately explain the reason for this journey. self-knowledge is interesting or, in any case, worth analyzing. Beyond figuring out the identity of the possible Istari, there’s another big question: is it really Gandalf? While the season finale seemed to establish this, there’s something confusing about the way the script handles the issue in the opening scenes.

Finally, in Numenor, Pharazon (Tristan Gravell) seems to have increased his power enough to stand up to Queen Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson). But the island’s internal politics are more complex than simply replacing the monarch. Step by step, The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power Corruption begins to show. The same one that Sauron would later use seduce its citizens and send them to the lands of Aman.

However, the production still has trouble explaining so much data. Namely, when to make it clear that each of them is a crucial point in the future. Something that is more than noticeable in the first episode. And it becomes more complicated as the plot highlights conversations and flashbacks, seemingly without much narrative weight. However, the announcement of darkness becomes an important moment to consider. Which the first episode carefully demonstrates in all its dark beauty.