Aug 27

Aug 27 The Rings of Power: Season One Breakdown and Final Report Card

It’s been nearly two years since the premiere of season one of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and I wanted to spend a little time before the second season airs to revisit season one and refresh my memory a bit!

I did end up publishing a review after taking a few months to reflect on the season, but as we head into season two I wanted to do a more careful reassessment of season one. Mostly because it sounded fun to do a careful rewatch, but also because I wanted to create some sort of very specific numerical grading system so that I could compare my thoughts of season one to season two.

If you’d like to watch my initial season one review, you can do so by clicking the link in the description. Some of my feelings have changed over the years as well, which is another reason I’m looking forward to this reassessment. I do also want to add that I’m not a professional critic and these are just my own opinions, so it’s fine if you disagree with me! Let me know in the comments!

The areas on which I’ll be grading each episode are as follows:

Grading Rubric

Tolkienian Core and Themes (20)

Does this feel like Tolkien? Does this series align with major Tolkienian themes? Does this series contradict or support things we know from Tolkien’s legendarium? I know we aren’t going to be sticking very closely to the timeline itself, but I do still want to see how it measures up in this section. I gave this section the most weight of all since, at the end of the day, it’s supposed to be a story based in Middle-earth.

Plot (10)

Does this story make sense on its own? We aren’t comparing it to Tolkien’s plots here because we’re doing so in the previous section, but we’re trying to separate it and just ask: does this work?

Dialogue (10)

Does the dialogue fit for Middle-earth? Is it too silly at times? Does anything said pull me out of the story? Does it land where it needs to?

Characterization (10)

Do these characters make sense? Are their motivations clear? Do I understand why they’re acting the way they are? Even though we covered Tolkienian core, I do want to ask myself: do these characters feel like Tolkien’s characters?

Pacing (10)

Does the episode convey the passage of time well? Do the storylines feel natural? Am I able to ground myself in the timeline of the story? Do some parts feel rushed or too slow?

Visuals (10)

This one is easy: does this series look like Middle-earth? Am I impressed by what I’m seeing? Are there any aspects in which this falls flat? Any highlights?

Music and Audio (10)

Does the sound match the overall look? Does the score complement the story or add to its depth?

Editing (10)

Are we jumping between plotlines too quickly? Do the cuts between scenes feel jarring or natural? Are there any VFX that feel clunky or pull you out of the immersion?

Enjoyability (10)

Obviously this is the most subjective of all my categories, but since this is a TV show at the end of the day: am I having fun? Does this series strike a chord with me emotionally? Am I bored and skipping scenes? Am I crying my eyes out?

Then, at the end of the video I’ll add up each episode score to come to a score for the season as a whole. We’ll also give the entire season a grade altogether as well as for each category!

Episode one: A Shadow of the Past

Episode Synopsis:

Series Premiere. Galadriel is disturbed by signs of an ancient evil’s return; Arondir makes an unsettling discovery; Elrond is presented with an intriguing new venture; Nori breaks the Harfoot community’s most deeply-held rule.

Tolkienian Core and Themes: 10/20
Plot: 5
Dialogue: 8

Favorite Line: “Nothing is evil in the beginning.”

Characterization: 6
Pacing: 8
Visuals: 10
Music: 10

Favorite track: “Prologue”

Editing: 9
Enjoyability: 7
Total Score: 73

Episode two: Adrift

Episode Synopsis:

Galadriel finds a new ally; Elrond faces a cold reception from an old friend; Nori endeavors to help a Stranger; Arondir searches for answers while Bronwyn warns her people of a threat.

Tolkienian Core and Themes: 13
Plot: 6
Dialogue: 8

Favorite line: “True creation requires sacrifice.”

Characterization: 9
Pacing: 8
Visuals: 9
Music: 10

Favorite track: Sundering Seas

Editing: 9
Enjoyability: 7
Total Score: 79

Episode three: Adar

Episode Synopsis:

Arondir finds himself a captive; Galadriel and Halbrand explore a legendary kingdom; Elendil is given a new assignment; Nori faces the consequences.

Tolkienian Core and Themes: 18
Plot: 7
Dialogue: 6
Characterization: 7
Pacing: 10
Visuals: 8
Music: 10
Editing: 8
Enjoyability: 10
Total Score: 84

Episode four: The Great Wave

Episode Synopsis:

Queen Regent Míriel’s faith is tested; Isildur finds himself at a crossroads; Elrond uncovers a secret; Arondir is given an ultimatum; Theo disobeys Bronwyn.

Tolkienian Core and Themes: 16
Plot: 7
Dialogue: 8

Favorite line: Adar’s dialogue with Arondir

“The banks were covered in sage blossoms…”
“Why do the orcs call you father?”

Characterization: 8
Pacing: 9
Visuals: 10
Music: 10

Favorite track: A Plea to the Rocks

Editing: 10
Enjoyability: 9
Total Score: 87

Episode Five: Partings

Episode Synopsis:

Nori questions her instincts; Elrond struggles to stay true to his oath; Halbrand weighs his destiny; The Southlanders brace for attack.

Tolkienian Core and Themes: 5
Plot: 6
Dialogue: 7

Characterization: 8
Pacing: 7
Visuals: 9
Music: 10

Favorite track: “This Wandering Day”

Editing: 8
Enjoyability: 4
Total Score: 70

Episode six: Udûn

Episode Synopsis:

Adar and his army march on Ostirith.

Episode Highlights:

Galadriel & Adar dialogue.

Episode Low Points:

None, sorry!

Tolkienian Core and Themes: 17
Plot: 8
Dialogue: 10

Favorite line: “Fighting at your side, I… I felt… If I could just hold on to that feeling, keep it with me always, bind it to my very being, then I…”

Characterization: 10
Pacing: 10
Visuals: 10
Music: 10

Favorite track: Transformed by Darkness
It was actually almost impossible to choose because NAMPAT was also such a banger, as well as Nolwa Mahtar.

Editing: 10
Enjoyability: 10
Total Score: 95

Episode seven: The Eye

Episode Synopsis:

Survivors of a cataclysm try to find safety; the Harfoots confront evil; Durin is torn between friendship and duty; Adar considers a new name.

Tolkienian Core and Themes: 8
Plot: 8
Dialogue: 7

Favorite line: “It darkens the heart, to call dark deeds "good." - Galadriel

Characterization: 7
Pacing: 8
Visuals: 8
Music: 10

Favorite track: Infirmary

Editing: 8
Enjoyability: 4
Total Score: 68

Episode eight: Alloyed

Episode Synopsis:

Season One Finale. New alliances are forged.

Episode Highlights:

Definitely the Sauron reveal, which for me began as soon as he stepped foot into Celebrimbor’s workshop. I had been told so many times by a lot of the leakers that he was Sauron but I had refused to believe it up until he said, “Call it a gift.” So that was an unforgettable moment for me.

Tolkienian Core and Themes: 14
Plot: 10
Dialogue: 8

Favorite line: “I have been awake since before the breaking of the first silence. In that time, I have had many names.”

Characterization: 8
Pacing: 10
Visuals: 10
Music: 10

Favorite track: “True Creation Requires Sacrifice”

Editing: 10
Enjoyability: 10
Total Score: 90

Season One Reflection

Each Episode Score:
- One: 73
- Two: 79
- Three: 84
- Four: 87
- Five: 70
- Six: 95
- Seven: 68
- Eight: 90
Season Score per Category:
- Tolkienian Core and Themes
- Plot
- Dialogue
- Characterization
- Pacing
- Visuals
- Music
- Editing
- Enjoyability
Season One Final Grade: 80.75%