The first season of Amazon Prime Video’s *The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power* was visually impressive but ultimately left viewers wanting more. It felt meandering, lacking a clear villain, and ended with a sense of being a prologue rather than a complete story. However, season two is a revelation, delivering a marked improvement over its predecessor and establishing itself as one of the best blockbuster TV seasons of the year.
Season two begins by finally revealing Sauron’s true identity, injecting a much-needed sense of darkness into the narrative. The show embraces the darker aspects of Tolkien’s world, crafting a compelling story of Sauron’s cunning manipulation and his quest to conquer Middle-earth. Charlie Vickers delivers a captivating performance as Sauron, expertly balancing maniacal glee with deceptive softness.
One of the season’s strongest storylines revolves around Sauron’s interactions with the Elven smith, Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards). The two characters have a fascinating dynamic, showcasing both the misguided ambition of Celebrimbor and the corrupting influence of Sauron. Edwards gives a standout performance, capturing Celebrimbor’s flawed humanity and the emotional weight of his journey.
Beyond the central Sauron storyline, season two also offers compelling character development for returning favorites like Elrond (Robert Aramayo), Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), and Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova). Clark, in particular, finds a more nuanced and emotionally engaging arc for Galadriel, moving beyond her single-minded pursuit of revenge. The series also introduces a new character, the wise Elven shipmaster Círdan (Ben Daniels), who adds a layer of wisdom and experience to the narrative.
Despite its improvements, *The Rings of Power* still suffers from some of its previous weaknesses. Some subplots, like the journey of The Stranger and Nori, feel underdeveloped and unnecessary. The island kingdom of Númenor, while visually stunning, often feels tonally inconsistent with the rest of the series. And the show’s tendency for over-ambitious storytelling occasionally results in awkward moments and forced exposition.
However, the strengths of *The Rings of Power* season two far outweigh its flaws. The season is darker, more engaging, and delivers on the promise of large-scale fantasy storytelling that viewers crave. It’s a significant step forward for the series, solidifying its place as one of the most impressive fantasy shows currently on television.
