Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Spoiler-Free Review

As we have all come to know with a show as controversial and grand as The Rings of Power, there are plenty of aspects to enjoy while having to suffer through some of its more taxing feats. So, let’s take a look at how Season 3 fits within the framework of the series as a whole and whether it lives up to Tolkien’s works. Disclaimer, critics were treated to episodes one through seven, with the finale being omitted.

Return to Middle-Earth

We return to Middle-earth five years after the conclusion of Season 2. Sauron (Charlie Vickers) has amassed considerable influence and strength, continuing to build upon what he has gained as he leads his dark armies from his stronghold in Mordor. Standing in resistance are the Elves, his most prominent opposing force. The Dwarves remain in Khazad-dûm, going in circles as they attempt to distance themselves from the war. Meanwhile, over on the island kingdom of Númenor, a civil war between the Faithful and Pharazôn’s (Trystan Gravelle) Loyalists threatens to divide its people even further.

The first episode of Season 3 does a poor job of drawing you into what is supposed to be a more defined story. In doing so, it feels less like a season premiere and more like another episode of exposition. I did, however, find myself pulled in by the second episode. The most interesting parts of the show remain the conflict between the Elves and Sauron, as well as the events unfolding in Númenor, where the story continues to become increasingly compelling. Thankfully, the creators seem to have recognised this as well. For the time we spend elsewhere, however, it often feels like a chore to get through. This is particularly true of the Dwarves and, especially, Gandalf’s (Daniel Weyman) journey, which offers almost next to nothing to be desired. I was pleasantly surprised by some of the emotional punches the series decided to throw this season. They actually help move the story forward rather than making it feel as though everything is stuck in the same place. The stakes are indeed high, although they sometimes end up feeling meaningless given where certain developments lead.

The atmosphere of Season 3 can occasionally shift, but when it locks itself firmly into the dark and mysterious tale it wants to tell and takes itself seriously, you feel truly immersed in the Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings experience you have been searching for since this series began. The season is more consistent and considerably stronger in its second half than its opening stretch. As always, the visuals are stunning. That was never the problem with this series. It was the writing and performances that needed to match them.

Writing and Pacing

The writing and pacing this season are a continuous wheel of hit and miss. You'll be watching a sequence, completely drawn in by the dialogue and chemistry at play, only for the show to loop back into what often feels like an odd parody of itself. It's also rather lazy at times, unfortunately. Some feats come far too easily, while other conflicts are resolved almost as quickly as they are introduced. There is not much given the room to develop in a meaningful way that creates a sense of fulfilment within the story. Instead, the plot jumps from one development to another in a seemingly endless rush to get somewhere else. I think the creators and writers can often be their own worst enemies. It's a consistent problem that has been present since Season 1, Episode 1.

The Dark Lord

I found what they did with Sauron particularly interesting. They have developed him relatively well, in my opinion, further showcasing his skills of deception and manipulation. But I have always been a fan of this interpretation of Sauron from the beginning, and Season 3 only further cements that for me. He is a figure who feels irredeemable, and rightfully so. There's something rather satisfying about rooting for the eventual downfall of a character whose victory we once found ourselves rooting for in his beginnings.

Casting and Characterisation

The series continues to demonstrate an inconsistency in how it treats its characters and the abilities they possess, however. And as for these Rings of the Nine, it seems like there's room for everyone! Sauron is practically handing them out like candy to anyone who comes knocking at his doorstep and declares some sort of fealty. It makes these rings feel rather cheap instead of presenting them as the great Nine they are supposed to become. I understand that Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin) is supposed to have a larger role in the story, or at least that's what the show has been trying to push onto me for three seasons now, but his storyline this season doesn't feel particularly exciting or emotionally moving in the ways the series insists it should be. There's also a certain major character from Tolkien's works who makes their very first appearance in this season of The Rings of Power, and I'm very interested to see how fans, haters of the show and Tolkien enthusiasts specifically react to their inclusion. I found it fine. Nothing particularly showstopping given how it came about, but still something interesting to witness.

The casting and characterisation in this series continue to be a huge hit or miss as well. This is particularly true of the members of the Nine. They are disappointing, to say the least. None of them feel as menacing or carry the dark aura they should. I know that by the time of The Lord of the Rings, they have faded into ghoulish wraiths rather than the men they are shown to be in their beginnings, but even in the opening exposition of The Fellowship of the Ring, the stand-in actors embodied everything these figures were described to be with just a silent look. Perhaps that's an issue with a large part of this entire series. Many of these casting choices simply don't fit the roles they're attempting to fill, leaving their characters feeling hollow. It breaks the immersion when some of these characters appear on screen or even open their mouths to speak.

Journey Through Middle-Earth

Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) remains a pillar of the series, and it's a good thing she does. Her story anchors much of the conflict between Sauron and the Elves, unsurprisingly so, given that she remains in constant direct opposition to the Dark Lord and his efforts to forge the Rings of Power. For the Haladriel fans, there's a certain yearning between these two characters that you may find something to chew on, but their interactions largely remain fleeting, with much of their dynamic happening in passing.

Some characters feel more underused than others, particularly Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker), although he still has some great commanding moments that are exciting whenever he does appear in the story. Elrond (Robert Aramayo) finds himself in much the same position, even with considerably more screen time. He often feels as though he doesn't have much to do, which makes his interactions with characters like Isildur (Maxim Baldry) feel rather anticlimactic, even with the knowledge of where we know these two will eventually end up.

Doom in Khazad-dûm

As hard as The Rings of Power tries to make me care, I still don't particularly care about what's going on with the Dwarves. Especially the storyline unfolding between Durin IV (Owain Arthur), Thráin (Eddie Marsan) and Disa (Sophia Nomvete). I'm sorry, but what are we doing here? And how can we forget that the Balrog was both introduced and put to rest, for now, in the second season? In my opinion, that was extremely early and anticlimactic for something of its significance to have happened. But as someone who is relatively casual when it comes to Tolkien's deeper lore, perhaps this may or may not have been how it was supposed to unfold. Given the weight the Balrog carries in the original The Lord of the Rings trilogy, however, the series does a disservice to its audience by asking us to believe that a creature as ancient and powerful as this could simply dwell within the same walls as the Dwarves, almost casually, as though it never existed in the first place.

They finally decided to get rid of the Harfoots, and let me tell you, that is by far one of the best decisions they've made for this show. It immediately elevates the viewing experience. That entire part of the series really needed to go, and I hope the creators don't feel the need to bring them back for some major payoff down the line. Unfortunately, however, the damage may already be done when it comes to what the Harfoots brought into the series: Gandalf.

Gandalf's Place in Middle-Earth

Perhaps one of the most disappointing parts of this season is just how little I care about Gandalf's journey. Gandalf, arguably one of the greatest fictional characters ever created, simply isn't entertaining to follow here. This could be because the Dark Wizard (Ciarán Hinds) and everything surrounding him never particularly interested me, so having his storyline intertwine with Gandalf's provides nothing especially compelling that stands out amongst the rest of the season. Given how little time we spend with either of them, you also get the feeling that the creators may have felt the same way. With a character as grand and important as Gandalf, there should, at this point, be a yearning to see him eventually join the other titular characters who have been fighting the good fight against Sauron. Instead, I couldn't be more content with him remaining far away. There's also the fact that this actor simply doesn't scream Gandalf to me through his performance, which brings me back to my frustration with several actors not quite fitting the roles they have been given and, as a result, breaking the immersion.

The Ever Winding Road

Even in Season 3, I still don't absolutely love the direction they've taken with the Orcs. I don't think it's particularly interesting or compelling in the way the creators probably believe it to be, but rather just fine. An evil can simply be evil, and that's perfectly fine too. That's part of what makes it so satisfying to root for their downfall. I don't want to feel as though this dark and sinister force is simply misunderstood, especially when the show doesn't do anything particularly moving or ground-breaking with that idea. The Orcs are evil and menacing partly because of their servitude to Sauron, but also because you get the sense that they commit these terrible acts simply because they enjoy doing them, not just out of fear of their master. They are constantly represented as embodiments of darkness, death and ruin, so why is the show trying to make me care about their families, wives and children? It's a storyline that simply isn't needed.

All of this brings me to the question: where is this leading? We know from Tolkien's lore and The Lord of the Rings where the story will eventually reach its climactic end upon the slopes of Mount Doom. We also know that this series is intended to run for five seasons, so beyond the conflict that will unfold in its final stretch, what will Season 4 bring to the table that will keep fans engaged? There are moments this season when I genuinely feel as though the magic of the original films is being shared with us once again, but that immersion is broken so frequently that it never quite amounts to as much as it could. But that begs the question: does it need to? The series has done a decent job of building towards its supposedly fiery conclusion, and there are some truly epic moments that made me sit up in my seat.

When The Rings of Power takes itself seriously, it is very, very good. When it allows the mistakes and shortcomings that have followed it since the beginning to creep back into the progress it has made, it loses you. One more thing: there's a particular scene in Episode 6 that I know will absolutely rage-bait so many Tolkien fans who hate this show simply because they want to, rather than because of what it actually has to offer. But I'm glad it's included, if only because I know the reactions to it will be epically hilarious to watch when it airs.

Verdict

Overall, The Rings of Power Season 3 isn't bad. It's simply just fine. But with the budget it has and the story it's attempting to tell, it should be much more than that. It should be the fantasy epic it was promised to us as. I still have faith in the series and what it has left to offer, and I still enjoyed the third season. I just know they can do better, and they're so close to showing the world that they can, too.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Prime Video’s The Rings of Power premieres November 11 on Prime Video.

CREDITS:

Network: Prime Video.

Production Company: Amazon MGM Studios.

Executive producers: J. D. Payne, Patrick McKay, Lindsey Weber, Callum Greene, Justin Doble, Gennifer Hutchison, Jason Cahill, J. A. Bayona, Belén Atienza, Eugene Kelly, Bruce Richmond, Sharon Tal Yguado, Charlotte Brändström, Kate Hazell.

Composer: Bear McCreary.

Editors: Kate Baird, Dan Crinnion, Joel Skinner and Tom White.

Showrunner: J. D. Payne, Patrick McKay.

Main Cast: Morfydd Clark as Galadriel, Charlie Vickers as Sauron, Robert Aramayo as Elrond, Benjamin Walker as Gil-galad, Daniel Weyman as Gandalf, Ismael Cruz Córdova as Arondir, Owain Arthur as Durin IV, Sophia Nomvete as Disa, Lloyd Owen as Elendil, Maxim Baldry as Isildur, Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Míriel, Trystan Gravelle as Pharazôn, Ema Horvath as Eärien, Tyroe Muhafidin as Theo, Markella Kavenagh as Nori, Rory Kinnear as Tom Bombadil, Ciarán Hinds as the Dark Wizard, Ben Daniels as Círdan, Leon Wadham as Kemen, Kevin Eldon as Narvi, Jamie Campbell Bower as Celeborn, Zubin Varla as Khamûl, Eddie Marsan as Thrain, Andrew Richardson as Anárion and Adam Young as Marnûkh.

— Rayano Riley

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