Spoilers Rings of Power Season 2 Rating and Review and Discussion Thread: Spoilers inside.

[fireproof78]

This week features the premier of Rings of Power, Season 2. Sauron returns but different, and war is coming to Middle Earth.

 

[saddestmoon]

I’m so ready for this! Counting down!

 

[JD]

Season 1 recap

 

[Starbrow]

Hope there is even more action this season.

 

[EmoBorg]

I am just looking forward to seeing more Adar. The role has been recast. The new Adar actor looks promising. I am just fascinated with the character of Adar. He is most likely a fallen or turned Elf.

The video below may contain spoilers.

 

[mswood]

Anyone know when Amazon typically does episode drops?

 

[JD]

It says 3:00AM Eastern Time tomorrow.

 

[The Nightmare Doctor]

I am just looking forward to seeing more Adar. The role has been recast. The new Adar actor looks promising. I am just fascinated with the character of Adar. He is most likely a fallen or turned Elf.

I'm still bummed out that the role was recast because I'm such a big fan of Joseph Mawle. I hope there's some in-universe explanation for it, otherwise that's going to be a big downer for me (but I get it if it's just me).

 

[mswood]

I think what's going to be more off putting is the absence of Bronwyn. Since they are keeping Theo and Arondir as part of the story I hope they kill off the character (which again elf human romance doesn't have the best track record so that plays).

But I did very much enjoy the actors performance of Adar.

 

[The Nightmare Doctor]

I think what's going to be more off putting is the absence of Bronwyn. Since they are keeping Theo and Arondir as part of the story I hope they kill off the character (which again elf human romance doesn't have the best track record so that plays).

But I did very much enjoy the actors performance of Adar.

Yeah, I'm still heartbroken that Bronwyn isn't returning. Nazanin Boniadi was one of the biggest reasons why I was excited about the show since I've been a big fan of hers for years.

 

[JD]

Yeah, I'm disappointed she didn't come back too.
It looks like they've killed of Bronwyn, the new Season 2 character guide entry for Arondir on the page for the show on Prime Video mentions Theo being orphaned.

 

[mswood]

I wonder if they will reference it being due to the damage she suffered in episode 6. Certainly infection could easily cause death back then. Or if it will be a "new" cause that is not something we have knowledge over.

 

[Starbrow]

For what reason are they releasing 3 episodes on the same day? Is it a 3 part episode?

 

[JD]

A lot of streaming shows will release the first two or three episodes the first day they start. I think it's partly for when they are the episodes that set up the rest of the season, and just an attempt to get people more hooked.

 

[mswood]

Ep 2x01 - I hour 15 minutes (with recap).
Ep 2x02 - 1 hour 2 minutes (with recap)
Ep 2x03 - 1 hour 6 minutes (with recap)

And I think there are changes in the title credits. But its been a while.

 

[FPAlpha]

So i'm through with the initial 3 episodes and for me it was a mixed bag.

Best parts were and probably always will be the core of the story - Sauron and the Rings of Power. Whenever the story revolves around it the show kicks into high gear and it was a good move to cast 2 different actors for Sauron, one for his human and one for his elvish disguise. I loved seeing how Sauron, at his lowest power, is still advancing his cause by being cunning and insidious, slowly subverting the people around him. It's not yet time for him to create his big armies, that will come after he has forged all the Rings including The One Ring and i love seeing this part of the story unfold onscreen.

The show always loses a bit of steam when it comes to the secondary stories - Galadriel working to thwart Sauron's plans, the Stranger's quest with his pre-Hobbit entourage and the Numenor/Isildur storylines but these are necessary to bring these characters to the place they need to be for the big things to happen later on though i wonder what the Stranger will do since he's a completely new addition to the story.

Reading up on pre interviews the producers have said that this season will have the mother of all TV battles that spans over two episodes and surely the trailer has shown some of it so things will heat up ( and not only due to the Balrog stirring below Durin's feet) but i still wonder how and how much will they compress the whole storyline.

 

[JD]

I'm pretty sure Charlie Vickers plays Sauron in both his human and elf forms, the only time someone else plays him the flashback in the beginning of the season premiere.

 

[FPAlpha]

I'm pretty sure Charlie Vickers plays Sauron in both his human and elf forms, the only time someone else plays him the flashback in the beginning of the season premiere.

You're right, i could have sworn it is a different actor. Props to Vickers for his acting and to the costume and makeup department.

 

[JD]

Yeah, I actually thought it was someone else when I saw him as Annatar in the trailers until I saw the cast list only listed Vickers and now Lowden (I think that's his name) as Sauron.

 

[fireproof78]

Watched the first episode. Definitely enjoyable, especially with Galadriel and the Elves, and the dynamics of the Rings.

Sauron and Adar's relationship is equally fascinating.

Might attempt the other two episodes. Probably not for a bit.