Exploring Why The Rings Of Power Isn't Fantasy's Fallout

I find it fascinating when a piece of media receives mixed feedback. It heightens my anticipation for reading, watching, or playing it, especially when critics disagree. If a consensus leans towards negativity, such as with Lord of the Rings: Gollum, I expect it might not be great. Conversely, if something is hailed as phenomenal, like Shin Godzilla, I feel more inclined to believe it’s worth the effort. Regardless of the reviews, I’m bound to explore both—my expectations will simply be adjusted.

When a piece of media generates mixed opinions, it really sparks my interest. I find myself more eager to dive in compared to works that garner unanimous five-star ratings. I have a handful of critics whose opinions I respect and whose tastes mirror my own. When they can't quite settle on whether something is amazing or awful, I am eager to see what conclusion I draw for myself. That anticipation is what fueled my interest in The Matrix Resurrections (which turned out to be just okay), and it's the same reason I'm looking forward to The Rings of Power Season 2.

The feedback has been quite mixed. The Wrap describes it as "exceedingly dull." In contrast, Empire claims it represents "fantasy at its very best." Meanwhile, Variety refers to it as a "tedious slog." However, Roger Ebert's assessment is that it’s the "most daring fantasy series of the year."

Though finishing first in a two-horse race may not represent the zenith of filmmaking, there is a particular remark in Kaiya Shunyata's review of the series for Roger Ebert that resonates with me. "Rings of Power seeks to highlight the majestic beauty of this world, instead of concealing its fundamental genre in a bid for recognition as prestigious television.”

Why does every show today have to be considered prestige television? Why can't a series simply be enjoyable fantasy? There are a few explanations for this.

To begin with, the budget. With an estimated expenditure of around half a billion dollars, The Rings of Power is regarded as one of the priciest television productions in history. Given this significant investment, audiences anticipate a high standard of quality. In my opinion, the funds were allocated effectively towards the exquisite costuming, set design, and visual effects in Season 1, which appear to be even more impressive this time around.

However, various viewers have different expectations. In the minds of some, a high-budget production should be racking up BAFTAs and Emmys. It ought to represent the apex of contemporary television, destined to be analyzed by future writers and directors. By today’s standards, it should be dark and intense, featuring a tightly woven narrative and intricate political plots that might baffle the average viewer. Essentially, it should emulate Game of Thrones. Although I concede that the writing was lacking in Season 1, there are numerous approaches to crafting a television series. For every The Last of Us, there's room for a lighthearted Fallout. Why can’t The Rings of Power serve as fantasy’s version of Fallout?

Secondly, there’s the issue of lore. Tolkien created an extensive mythology for Middle-earth, and his readers expect it to be respected faithfully. This challenge arises from two main factors. First, Tolkien frequently contradicted himself, particularly in notes he left behind that were published after his death and often jotted down in margins. Second, his writings on the Second Age, the timeframe in which The Rings of Power takes place, are quite limited. While there are some significant events mentioned and certain inconsistencies that the show has already introduced, it’s simply impossible for a 50-hour series to distill the vast amount of lore into a straightforward and digestible introduction for more casual viewers.

Tolkien crafted a remarkable universe. The Silmarillion serves as a grand narrative, akin to a sacred text of fantasy. However, we shouldn't anticipate a television adaptation to be entirely true to the source material, regardless of its lavish budget. The Fallout series received praise for introducing a fresh storyline within a well-known setting, maintaining the essence of the original while featuring new characters. So, why not approach The Rings of Power in a similar vein? While it does showcase some recognizable figures, Tolkien's own accounts of this tale were relatively limited. Additionally, we shouldn't expect it to conform to today’s standards of prestige television for the same reasons.

The Rings of Power represents a unique interpretation of Tolkien's universe. It showcases Elves waging battles against trolls, a villain capable of changing forms, and a total of 20 magical rings. Why can’t it simply be enjoyable? Some critics will always find The Rings of Power lacking, and I concur that it may never fully capture the essence of Tolkien's work. However, I also contend that a flawless adaptation will likely never exist. How can one truly bring the entirety of The Silmarillion to life on screen? I think it’s an unattainable task.

The Rings of Power draws heavily from Tolkien's concepts, similar to how he vividly describes the essence of this imagined era. Morfydd Clark shared with TheGamer that she shaped her portrayal of Galadriel from a "deep appreciation for the earth and the potential for beauty and goodness," alongside inspirations from The Lord of the Rings. Her interpretation of Galadriel is legitimate, just as Amazon’s interpretation of Tolkien is. It might be enjoyable, it might not meet expectations, but I intend to embrace the experience regardless. Ultimately, I’ll form my own opinions before posting harsh critiques online.