When I sat down to watch the first two episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, I felt that familiar spark of excitement. It really seemed like this was going to be the kind of adventure I’d want to follow week after week—something magical to carry me through the autumn. Sure, the show took some creative liberties, but at first, it felt like the heart of Tolkien’s world was still beating strong.
As the season went on, though, it was a bit of a mixed journey. I had my fair share of head-scratching moments—like the wildly unrealistic pyroclastic flow scene (seriously, what was that?). The pacing felt a little rushed at times, and I did find myself frustrated when the story drifted too far from Tolkien’s original material. And I’ll admit, I laughed more than I should have at the oddly designed wolves.
But here’s the thing: despite those flaws, the show still managed to win me over. There’s a real sense of wonder in this version of Middle-earth. The friendship between Elrond and Durin honestly moved me—those two were a highlight. And Disa? She absolutely owned every scene she was in. Her presence just lit up the screen. I also really came to love the Harfoots, with their tiny feet, big hearts, and that mysterious giant of a companion.
By the time the season ended, I felt something I didn’t expect: a deep connection to this world again. That feeling of Tolkien’s Middle-earth—it was there. Maybe not in every detail, but in the emotions, the relationships, and the sense of something bigger unfolding.
One of the big questions all season was: who is Sauron? I won’t spoil anything, but I will say the show wraps up a number of storylines in a way that felt satisfying. And the fact that I’m already impatient for season two? That says something. The magic worked.
Looking back at my first impression, I remember being cautiously hopeful. Amazon had poured an enormous amount of money into this, and the pressure to live up to Peter Jackson’s legacy was sky-high. Tolkien fans are passionate (and let’s be honest—sometimes a bit intense), so I knew this show would get picked apart no matter what.
And yes, the purists will probably continue to fume over the changes. That’s fair. Adaptations will never be perfect. But after watching the full season, I honestly believe that the creators do care about this world. You can feel their love for Tolkien’s stories, even when they take creative detours.
So, was it perfect? No. But it was beautiful. It was ambitious. And most importantly—it made me feel something. That, to me, is a sign they got at least some of the magic right.
Here follows the original review of “Maktens ringer”, which was published as the first impression after two episodes of the series.
It’s been over 20 years since Peter Jackson introduced a wide cinema audience to author JRR Tolkien’s imaginative world in 2001.
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