Plot: What’s it about?
I’ll admit, I’m something of a sucker for Middle-earth. Peter Jackson’s original The Lord of the Rings trilogy remains one of my favorite cinematic achievements, and I was equally impressed with his subsequent adaptation of The Hobbit (although perhaps not every minute of those films needed to be quite as long as they were). Jackson understood the importance of world-building, atmosphere, memorable characters and, most importantly, making audiences feel as though they were visiting a living, breathing world.
So when Amazon announced The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, a television series set thousands of years before the events of those films, expectations were understandably high. With an astronomical production budget, an extensive cast and the promise of exploring Tolkien’s Second Age, there was certainly no shortage of ambition. Of course, having a seemingly unlimited checkbook doesn’t necessarily guarantee compelling storytelling, and translating Tolkien’s mythology into an episodic television format presents its own set of challenges.
Season One introduces several interconnected storylines involving familiar names and entirely new characters, as the kingdoms of Middle-earth begin to confront the return of an ancient evil. Whether the series ultimately captures the magic of Jackson’s films is another matter, but there’s certainly plenty to explore along the way.
Here is a breakdown of the eight episodes included in this collection.
1. A Shadow of the Past – Galadriel remains convinced that the evil responsible for the destruction of her brother’s world has not been entirely eliminated. Meanwhile, Arondir discovers unsettling developments in the Southlands, Elrond receives an important assignment from High King Gil-galad, and young Harfoot Nori Brandyfoot encounters a mysterious stranger who has fallen from the sky.
2. Adrift – After abandoning her journey to the Undying Lands, Galadriel finds herself stranded at sea before encountering Halbrand, a mysterious human with his own troubled past. Elrond attempts to reconnect with his former friend, Prince Durin IV, while Arondir investigates the growing threat beneath the Southlands.
3. Adar – Galadriel and Halbrand arrive in Númenor, an island kingdom with a complicated history involving the Elves. Arondir finds himself imprisoned by a mysterious Orc leader named Adar, while Elendil becomes increasingly involved in the growing conflict. Nori’s decision to help the Stranger begins creating problems within her own community.
4. The Great Wave – Political tensions intensify in Númenor as Queen Regent Míriel struggles with visions of impending disaster. Elrond uncovers an important secret involving the Dwarves, while Arondir is presented with an ultimatum by Adar. Meanwhile, Theo’s discovery of a mysterious sword begins to reveal just how dangerous the situation in the Southlands has become.
5. Partings – As preparations for war continue, Galadriel attempts to convince the people of Númenor to join her expedition to the Southlands. Elrond finds himself caught between his loyalty to Gil-galad and his friendship with Durin, while the Harfoots begin questioning the Stranger’s presence. The Southlanders prepare for an impending Orc assault.
6. Udûn – The conflict between the Southlanders and Adar’s Orc army finally erupts into a full-scale battle. Galadriel and the Númenórean forces arrive to assist the villagers, but the confrontation takes an unexpected turn when Adar sets in motion a devastating plan that transforms the landscape into the dark realm that will eventually become Mordor.
7. The Eye – Following the catastrophic events in the Southlands, survivors struggle to find one another amid the devastation. Galadriel attempts to come to terms with the destruction surrounding her, while the Harfoots face an increasingly dangerous situation involving the mysterious Stranger. Elsewhere, Elrond and Durin’s friendship is tested as political responsibilities threaten to drive them apart.
8. Alloyed – The season finale brings several of the show’s major storylines together as Galadriel and Halbrand travel to the Elven realm of Eregion, where the creation of an extraordinary new material could determine the future of Middle-earth. Meanwhile, the Stranger’s identity begins to become clearer, and the true nature of several characters is finally revealed as the first steps toward the forging of the Rings of Power take shape.
Video: How’s it look?
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – Season One arrives on 4K with Dolby Vision and HDR10. Given the enormous visual ambitions of the production, this is precisely the sort of material that benefits from the additional resolution, expanded color palette and increased dynamic range offered by the format. The Dolby Vision presentation is particularly appropriate for a production that relies so heavily on carefully controlled lighting and distinctive color palettes. The lush greens of the Elven landscapes, the golden highlights of Númenor, the subdued illumination of the Dwarven kingdom and the fiery reds and oranges associated with Mordor provide plenty of opportunities for HDR enhancement. Shadow detail, atmospheric lighting and the contrast between illuminated environments and darker interiors are all important components of the show’s visual identity. The series was photographed primarily in a 2.39:1 widescreen ratio, though some climactic scenes are in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio. Suffice it to say – this is beautiful.
Audio: How’s it sound?
From the sweeping orchestral score and atmospheric environmental effects to the thunderous battles and explosive action sequences, the series has been designed with an enormous sonic landscape in mind. Howard Shore’s musical contributions help establish a familiar connection to the cinematic trilogy, while Bear McCreary’s original compositions give the series an identity of its own. Atmos is particularly well-suited to the production’s larger set pieces. The movement of armies, the sounds of battle, environmental effects and the considerable destruction associated with the Southlands storyline provide opportunities for directional effects and overhead activity. Smaller moments also benefit from an immersive sound field, with ambient environmental details helping establish the various locations.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- Building Middle-Earth: The Making of The Rings of Power – Arguably the most robust feature on the discs are eight individual behind-the-scenes segments examining the creation of each episode, including production design, visual effects, costumes, makeup, stunts and the various elements involved in bringing Tolkien’s world to life.
- Cast Bootcamp – A look at the preparation and training undertaken by the cast members ahead of production.
- Sundering Seas: Stories of the Second Age – Additional material exploring the history, mythology and world surrounding the series.
- Trailer Gallery
The Bottom Line
There’s no question that The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is an ambitious undertaking. This is an impressive production, populated it with an enormous cast and created a version of Middle-earth that frequently looks spectacular. The series also benefits from some interesting performances, particularly when exploring the complicated relationships between Elrond and Durin. The A/V are top notch and a decent selection of supplements make for a nice, well-rounded pacakge.
