The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (1×03) Adar Review

For our spoiler-free review of the first two episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, click here.

The premiere of The Rings of Power established that the series is a force to be reckoned with on television. With a scope and production value rivaling blockbuster feature films, its cinematic quality creates an experience unlike much in recent memory. The first two episodes were mostly dedicated to establishing the epic scope of the series while doing some standard world-building in setting up its story. That being said, it was just a start as there is still plenty of work to do in creating that full picture. Keep in mind that everything is connected. This latest episode picked up in terms of building towards the season’s eventual endgame as a familiar enemy lurks on the horizon. Taking a step back following the premiere, the series narrows its focus, introducing a few more characters and settings as it sets its sight on the Southlands which appear to be key to whatever is going to happen next.

Galadriel continues to be the highlight of the series thus far and that fact certainly does not change here. She has to navigate her way through yet another precarious situation alongside the mysterious Halbrand (Charlie Vickers) as the two found themselves in Numenor as the relationship between elves and humans remains fractured. It was not going to be easy but an unlikely ally may prove to be the difference as evidence pointed to the Southlands as an area of interest. Meanwhile, allegedly under command of a new leader, the orcs appear to be looking for something and oversaw a legion of slaves working towards that search. Whatever they’re looking for is unclear though it is probably not good. Responsible for those trenches, those missing humans and more were merely taken for that goal. When it came to the orcs, escaping the trenches will prove to be a challenge. The episode could have just been those two subplots and would have been better for it, however, the Harfoots chipped in and added very little to the proceedings.

Only focusing on a few of the many moving pieces so far, this episode was simply more of the same with pieces that work better individually than together but this could very well still improve with time. The story is slowly but surely coming together while arguably carrying the weaker portions of the series as they figure themselves out. The technical prowess and scope established in the two premiere episodes continue here as the western land of Numenor was breathtaking to look at, bursting in vibrant color and detail. However, in the end, Clark continues to shine as Galadriel and is a delight to watch as she is consistently faced with adversity and overcomes it. Though this meant ruffling some feathers along the way, she could more than handle herself and that strength and confidence is compelling.

Where The Rings of Power will go from here remains to be seen but the parts that work do more than enough to get by at least early on as the series keeps building to something more. Just to be part of this world is a factor that shouldn’t be discounted as the promise is there. With 9 episodes and another season to come, it will surely be worth the wait.

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.