The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is an American fantasy series on Amazon Prime Video developed by J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay. It is based on the appendices of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and depicts the major events of the Second Age of Middle-earth, which occurred thousands of years before the novel. The series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios in association with New Line Cinema.
It Premiered on September 1, 2022, with its first season airing weekly through October 14, 2022. It was a massive success for Amazon, becoming the most-watched Prime Video original series, though its writing and pacing were criticized by some. The second season premiered in August 2024, concluding in October 2024, and saw lower viewership but a similar critical reception.
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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is set during the Second Age of Middle-earth, thousands of years before the events of The Lord of the Rings. After the defeat of Morgoth, the world enters a period of apparent peace, though several characters begin to sense that a dormant evil is returning. Galadriel, convinced that Sauron has survived the war, continues her search against the advice of the Elven leadership. Her relentless pursuit leads her to the Sundering Seas, where she encounters Halbrand, a mysterious man from the Southlands whom she meets after a shipwreck.
Among the Harfoots, an early nomadic community of hobbits, life is disrupted when a celestial object crashes nearby. Inside the crater lies a tall, amnesiac figure known only as the Stranger. Nori Brandyfoot attempts to help him understand his powers and origin, even as the Harfoots worry about the danger he might represent.
In the Southlands, tensions rise as humans and the Elves assigned to monitor them discover signs of orc activity. Bronwyn, a healer, and Arondir, an Elf soldier, uncover tunnels created by orcs under the command of Adar, a scarred figure with ties to the first generation of corrupted Elves. Their region begins transforming into the desolate land that will eventually become Mordor.
In Khazad-dûm, Elrond reunites with Prince Durin IV and becomes involved in the Dwarves’ secret discovery of mithril, a rare and powerful metal believed to be vital for the Elves’ survival. However, extracting it threatens to destabilize the ancient mines.
The growing shadow culminates in the forging of the first Rings of Power. Celebrimbor, the master Elven smith, receives unexpected assistance from Halbrand, whose metallurgical knowledge helps guide the creation of the rings. Galadriel eventually realizes that Halbrand is Sauron in disguise, having infiltrated the Elves to manipulate their work. After his identity is exposed, Sauron returns to Mordor, while the Elves complete three rings of their own design to resist his influence.
Rating: 10 Stars
