I had the opportunity to attend a special screening of The Rings of Power in New York City this past week! For full transparency, the costs of this trip were covered by Prime Video.

After seeing the first two episodes of the series, many (not all) of my fears about the show have been assuaged and I’m looking forward to watching these stories unfold this fall. I can’t wait until the episodes premiere next week so I can dive into more detail.

I had a little free time before the screening, so I was able to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the morning. It’s such a beautiful church and I’m so grateful I was able to make it over there. I made sure to stop by the St. John the Evangelist altar to spend a moment in prayer for Tolkien, and to ask him to pray for me if he’s able to.

“Now, my dear, as to my name. It is John: a name much used and loved by Christians, and since I was born on the Octave of St. John the Evangelist, I take him as my patron…” - Tolkien, Letter 309

The screening itself was so surreal it was a little bit overwhelming! I left the theater feeling calm, which I’m taking as a good sign. And the more I think back and play scenes over in my mind, the more I’m falling in love with the whole idea of the series so far.

Of course there were moments and choices I disagreed with, but overall I do think I’m going to enjoy the show for what it is. I feel so much more at peace after finally seeing everything in its proper context rather than cut into trailers and teasers; to be finally able to get a feel for the overall tone and content rating was such a relief. (From what I’ve seen so far, I’m comfortable with the idea of my oldest daughter (9) watching the series with me — though I still recommend parents pre-screen each episode beforehand.)

I can’t wait to watch the first two episodes again once they’ve been released next week. I’ll probably need to watch them at least two more times before I can begin to form any coherent or constructive thoughts, to be honest, but it will be such a joy to be able to speak freely without worrying about spoiling anything for anyone and to be able to hear everyone else’s thoughts as well. I’m excited to finally see the show speak for itself, for better or for worse!

We’re in such a unique time in the Tolkien community as we’re about to see events adapted onto the screen that we’ve previously only been able to imagine as we’ve read. And while a part of me grieves an end to this era because some things will never be able to live up to the images we’ve formed in our own minds, I’m also hopeful and excited to be able to enter into Middle-earth once again — with all of you.