Rings of Power concluded its second season to a shower of praise, which was welcome given the platform’s billion-dollar investment. Yes, it improved a lot, but no, it’s not what it could be.

Fantasy is always too close to cheesy and requires a lot of talent to even have cheesy touches, but even more so not to plunge into the ridiculous. We’re talking about elves, giants, orcs, dwarves… how can you take it seriously, even if it’s a pacifist tale of how Power destroys the purest of souls? Yes, but the trilogy written by Peter Jackson managed to prove that it’s possible to be in the nerd niche and in the pop ocean and still have great films.

There was material written by Tolkien to be explored and I’m not a purist because I haven’t read all the books, so when I complain, it’s about what I’m seeing on air. It hasn’t proven to be anything sensational yet. There’s a clear decline in production investment, the sets are clearly fake, the extras are few and so bad that they often distract me from the center of the story, and basic flaws that could never cost the billions we hear are involved. The effects are ok, but the fight scenes are weak.

The worst and most important mistake of the series is precisely its protagonist. The central female character, Galandriel, has become an arrogant, irritating, and foolish woman because, thinking she’s better than the rest, she falls for the villain’s lies that she wants to kill. The actress, Morfydd Clark, has no empathy or ability to overcome the complex narrative. Thus, no matter how well the other plots are going, the one involving the feared Sauron always gets bad when she enters the scene. Her fight scenes are laughable, her suffering faces are enough to make her cry the tears she can’t shed, and everything is tragically bad.

On the other hand, Charles Vickers is a find. He manages to convince us of everything about the antagonist: his deceit, his skill, his charm, and his intelligence. Looking good in a blonde wig and an outfit that looks like a dress, as well as pointy ears, is not easy. But he always looks incredible.

Robert Aramayo, as the young Elrond, is another highlight. Playing good guys is much more complex than playing villains, but Robert conveys emotion and dignity in the role. And Charles Edwards? A show.

The soundtrack of Rings of Power also deserves to be highlighted. With memorable themes and songs, it stood out in each episode.

Having said all that, let’s go to the summary of the final episode, while we wait for the confirmation of the third season, which has not yet been made official.

If we have at least one more round, the action will certainly be focused on Númenor and its mega-announced destruction. The plot focused on politics and religion seemed dragged out, but they are Aragorn’s ancestors, so I can handle it. Miriel presents Elendil with an ancient and significant sword called Narsil (“the white flame”) and asks him to leave it behind, now that he is being pursued. As he flees, Isildur finally manages to begin his journey back.

The other side plot, the Stranger, well, he was actually Gandalf and he saves Nori, but they separate and each goes to embrace their destiny. As for him and the Black Wizard (who everyone knows will be Saruman), well, they are the Istari and they came to Middle-earth as a united group of five, committed to defeating Sauron. Isolated from each other upon arrival, something twists the wizard, and instead of defeating Sauron, it seems he wants to take his place.

Among the dwarves, it was pure and inevitable emotion. King Durin III manages to enter a chamber containing mithril by the ton, but also awakens a huge horned, fire-breathing balrog. He finally takes off the ring, apologizes to his son, and faces the monster, knowing he has no chance. The drama in Khazad-dum does not end there, because despite all his riches, the King left the kingdom in debt and now some decided to challenge the line of succession.

In Eregion. Galadriel and Sauron finally meet again and face each other. Before, the villain kills Celebrimbor and takes revenge on Adar, killing him too.

Sauron reinforces his invitation to make Galadriel his Queen and uses his powers of persuasion and confusion to try to win the elf to his side. She refuses, but the villain takes the nine rings of Men and stabs her with the crown of Morgoth, which she intends to use to destroy him. The elves are determined to keep fighting. And we say goodbye, yes, wanting more. Will we have it?

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