Rings of Power Leaks Have Us (Tentatively) Hoping for a Better Season 2
The Amazon series shows signs of improvement.
It's been a year since Amazon Prime released its take on J.R.R. Tolkien's lore. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power was the most anticipated premiere of 2022, and with a budget of $465 million, it became the most expensive show ever made. However, that didn't mean the show would be a success.
Evidently, The Rings of Power season 1 was a huge disappointment to hordes of Tolkien fans who felt the writers took too many creative liberties and misinterpreted the beloved story. At the same time, Amazon Studios greenlit at least five more seasons and is reported to have spent about $1 billion on the show. As a result, pre-production on the second installment began shortly after the show's premiere. So far, there have been plenty of leaks to keep fans excited – season 2 could be even better than the first.
Established Narrative
According to Tolkien fans, the main issue with the first season of The Rings of Power was that it strayed from the original lore that the author masterfully created in many of his works decades ago. For example, viewers found fault with the writers for mixing up the chronology of the rings' creation. The portrayal of Galadriel's character also seemed off.
But it seems that viewers are willing to accept these flaws as part of world building. In other words, season 1 of the Amazon series introduced us to the Rings of Power universe and its complexities. Now that the story is established, season 2 needs to run like a well-oiled machine.
Return to the Source
Some of the many leaks in question suggested that Sauron would appear in the show in his original form, meaning that the events depicted would likely cover the second age. Perhaps the new installment will be so close to the original lore that it will introduce Annatar and the subsequent fall of Eregion.
This would bring The Rings of Power in line with Tolkien's stories and would be greatly appreciated by fans. However, we shouldn't expect anything certain yet, as these leaks are mere rumors. We can still hope, though.
Season 2 of the Amazon series is scheduled for 2024.