The following contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 1, Episode 1, "A Shadow of the Past," and Episode 2, "Adrift," both of which are streaming now on Prime Video.
Prime Video has recently released the first two episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Set as a prequel series to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the series follows a large cast of characters living in peace as the land of Middle-earth is faced with the threat of an old, familiar foe. While fans of the original book series and movie franchise have waited to view the show with a quiet skepticism, its premiere has garnered disparaging criticism from its audience.
The Rings of Power criticism has grown to the point that various celebrities have been involved with the quelling of unjustified critiques. Sadly, most legitimate comments have been buried within offensive review-bombing centered on certain casting choices. From drastic changes in characterizations to an aggravatingly slow plot, viewers have more than expressed their initial problems with the show.
Overall, the problems fans have had with the Prime Video series stem from the fact that while this is a story based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, it is not a faithful adaptation. While the show takes inspiration from The Silmarillion, a collection of stories and tales from the lore of Middle-earth, the series is not following any one story from the book. Instead, the show has formed a singular throughline with elements of the book guiding the audience through what is known as the Second Age of Middle-earth long before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
With only two episodes out, it can be hard to conclude if the fans are right in their initial assumptions of what this show is and will be. The criticisms for the slow-paced plot and diverging characteristic, especially for Galadriel, are understandable plights that can be felt even in Episode 1, "A Shadow of the Past." But the comments and concerns shouldn't cause the audience to stop watching just yet.
While viewers have shared many negative comments about The Rings of Power, one thing the audience agrees on is how good the series looks. The lands of the Elves, Dwarfs, Humans and Harfoots all feel unique to the differing lineages and peoples living there. And while the story has yet to have a meaningful threat, Episode 2, "Adrift," featured the return of Orcs to the land of Middle-earth, promising bigger and more horrific stakes for the future.
The recent critiques for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power have shown the solid devotion that fans have for the expansive series. The connections that readers and viewers have garnered for the original The Lord of the Rings franchise is one that spans generations for some people, thus experiencing the diverging characterizations and story plot was sure to shock and confuse the audience. However, now that the initial shock has passed, fans have the chance to view the series with fresh eyes and attempt to enjoy the new story being told in the world they know so well.
New episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power stream Fridays on Prime Video.