This summer’s television landscape saw “House of the Dragon” emerge as the clear victor in the Fantasy TV Wars. While fans of Tolkien’s works anticipated further Middle-earth stories, “The Rings of Power” struggled with recasting issues and slowly dropped out of viewers’ minds. Contrastingly, “House of the Dragon” reignited interest in George R.R. Martin’s realm of treachery and power struggles.
Despite “House of the Dragon” attracting a larger audience than its counterpart, both series followed a similar trajectory. As prequels, each show is bound for an outcome that many viewers are already aware of, a challenge that “House of the Dragon” faced in its underwhelming season 2 finale. Thanks to the acclaimed “Lord of the Rings” films, audiences are largely familiar with the fate of Middle-earth and its key artifacts.
At their best, prequels can feel like they are moving backward, guiding characters to their inevitable destinies regardless of the plot twists that may occur on screen. This presents a notable obstacle for both “House of the Dragon” and “The Rings of Power,” leading some fans to focus on subplots that diverge from the main storylines.
In season 1 of “The Rings of Power,” the Harfoots embraced a lightweight, adventurous spirit akin to the Hobbits, exploring the risks of their mystical surroundings. Additionally, the dwarf duo Durin IV and Disa offered moments of humor and warmth, living life at a more relatable pace. Unfortunately, neither made an appearance in the season 2 premiere.
As the narrative shifts away from the caves and forests, “The Rings of Power” takes a darker turn. The Harfoots find themselves in a desert, while Sauron manipulates Celebrimbor into creating an absurd number of powerful rings, reminiscent of a shopping list request. Galadriel embarks on a quest to thwart Sauron’s plans, which will culminate by the end of “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.” If the season 2 premiere is an indication, the plot will unfold at a sluggish pace.
Viewers may struggle to keep track of the multitude of characters, as names like Celebrimbor and Gil-galad crop up alongside a character known as Sauron, Halbrand, or Annatar, adding further confusion. The actor portraying Adar has also changed, which could bewilder those tuning in.
Should viewers persevere through the opening recap, they will find intense scenes of orc violence. Following a failed attempt to earn their loyalty, Sauron is brutally attacked but manages to escape, transforming into a dark substance. The orc leader Adar believes he has triumphed, unaware of Sauron’s rebirth.
This preceding event takes place before Galadriel discovers Sauron shipwrecked as Halbrand. So far, Sauron’s motivations remain ambiguous, particularly since he is merely represented as a threatening figure in the films. When he encounters Adar, the dark elf shows no signs of backing down, but the tension is lightened when Halbrand asks Adar to “Let my people go,” while concealing his true identity.
Halbrand allows Adar’s men to torture him to prove his worth as a servant rather than an enemy, indicating that he needs the rings. He manipulates Adar into believing he has assumed a new form and offers to help Adar identify Sauron if he can return to the elves undetected, leading to Adar’s reluctant agreement.
Meanwhile, Gandalf, known as “The Stranger,” remains perplexed about his identity after losing his memory in season 1. He finally speaks but still lacks clarity about his purpose or origins. He finds companionship in Nori Brandyfoot until they encounter another character, Poppy Proudfellow. The episode includes lighthearted moments, though it may leave viewers wanting more.
In a parallel story involving elves, Galadriel reveals to her allies that she was deceived by Sauron. When Gil-galad demands Elrond hand over the rings, Elrond refuses, showcasing the power dynamics at play. Following this confrontation, Elrond escapes to meet Cirdan, who becomes enamored with the rings’ power when he agrees to assist in protecting them.
Ultimately, the elves’ fascination with the rings leads to an intriguing scene where the ring-bearers seem to share a connection. This captivating moment affords an opportunity for the series to resonate more strongly with its audience. Perhaps to elevate the stakes, a few dragons wouldn’t hurt.