A Shadow of the Past – As the first episode of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power begins, Galadriel says nothing is evil in the beginning. A young Galadriel (Amelie Child Villiers) makes a boat while her friends watch from nearby. Her friends argue that the boat is not going to float. She says it won’t float, but it will sail. It does until the others throw rocks at the boat and break it. Galadriel goes after the boy until Finrod (Will Fletcher) interrupts. He tells her a ship can float and a stone cannot because a stone only sees downward. The darkness of the water is vast and irresistible. The ship’s gaze is up focused on the light that guides her. He admits most important truths are simple so she will have to learn to discern them for herself since he won’t always be there to do it for her. Galadriel reveals they have no word for death because they thought their joys would be unending and that their light would never dim. When the great foe Morgoth destroyed the light of their home, they resisted and a legion of Elves went to war.

They left Valinor and journeyed to a distant realm filled with untold perils and strange creatures beyond count. They went to a place known as Middle Earth. They said it would be over quickly only for the war to leave the Middle Earth in ruin and last for centuries. Now, they learned many words for death. In the end, Morgoth was defeated but not before much sorrow. His orcs spread to every corner of Middle Earth. They were under the control of his most devoted servant who was a cruel sorcerer called Sauron. Her brother vowed to seek him out and destroy him, but Sauron got to him first and marked his flesh with a symbol. Even the wisest were unable to discern its meaning. As a result, Finrod’s vow became hers. Galadriel and her group hunted Sauron to the ends of Earth, but the trail grew thin. After time passed, many started believing that Sauron was only a memory and the threat had ended. Eventually, the group makes its way to Forodwaith or the Northernmost Waste.

She was not in the group that dismissed the threat. Thondir tells her that it has been years since the last Orc was sighted. He wonders if the other commanders are right so he recommends camping here and starting the journey home tomorrow. She refuses and forces the others to continue moving. They eventually reach their destination which is where the Orcs gathered after Morgoth’s defeat. Galadriel tells the others the place is so evil that their torches give off no warmth. As they continue, she finds a spot where a door has been filled in. They break down the wall so they can continue onward before finding evidence that the Orcs were meddling with the powers of the Unseen World. Galadriel finds Sauron’s mark proving he was here. She wants the others to rest until sunrise when they’ll move further north. Thondir (Fabian McCallum) says the mark is centuries old so they could already be dead. He argues they should return home to take counsel with the High King.

Galadriel wants to return home too, but not until every trace of the enemy has been vanquished. Before long, they’re attacked by a snow troll. Galadriel takes care of it quickly. She wants to march at first light, but Thondir says she will march alone. Next, the show takes viewers to Rhovanion where two hunters walk around until they hear something nearby. The older hunter worries it could be a harfoot. He warns the other hunter to watch himself because they’re dangerous creatures. Once a whistle is blown, Marigold (Sara Zwangobani), Nori (Markella Kavenahg), and others come out of hiding. Sadoc Burrows (Lenny Henry) finds it odd that travelers are passing through at this time. He argues with Malva (Thusitha Jayasundera) about it. Sadoc suggests they just got lost. Goldie is worried about the kids only to be told Nori is with them so it’ll be okay. Poppy (Megan Richards) wonders if they should turn back now since there are hundreds of things that could kill them.

Nori leads the others through the gate before helping pull Poppy through. They join the others and begin eating berries. Dilly (Beau Cassidy) yells for Nori when she finds something on the ground that ends up being a big footprint. Nori lies by claiming it is only a dog. When Noir senses a wolf is nearby, she tells the others it is time to go. The first one back to camp will get the first pie for Harvest Fest. Elrond (Robert Aramayo) sits in a tree writing in a book. He is told the Council has decided that he won’t be permitted to attend the next session since Elf lords are only allowed.

When he learns that his friend has arrived, he rushes to meet with them. In Lindon, the Capital of the High Elves, Elrond meets with Galadriel to say they supposedly hear a song when they cross over. He mentions that she is the Commander of the Northern Armies and Warrior of the Wastelands. Galadriel tells him that the mark proves Sauron escaped. She wants to ask the King for a fresh company. He asks if she has to leave again so soon. Elrond would like to hear about her and her harrowing journey since there is time to talk about official matters later. Galadriel admits he sounds like a politician now before demanding to speak to the King directly. He reveals that it wasn’t her company that defied her out there because she defied the High King by refusing to heed any limits placed upon her. He has decided to honor one of her accomplishments instead of dwelling upon her insolence. Elrond warns her that he may be less receptive if she tries to test him this time.

He offers to arrange an audience if that is what she wants after the ceremony. Nori returns to her father Largo (Dylan Smith). She shows him what she found and he tells her about the two hunters. Marigold accuses Nori of going to the old farm again. When she says she was careful, Marigold reminds her that the children might not be. Nori wonders if there is trouble down south because of the hunters and wolves around there. Marigold asks why that should concern her. Nori asks her if she has ever wondered what else is out there and how far the river flows. She can’t help but think about the wonders of the world even though Marigold reminds her the Elves have forests to protect. The Harfoots are free from the worries of the wide world. They survive by sticking together and looking after one another. Before Nori leaves to help her father, she gives Marigold a berry. High King Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker) holds a ceremony to honor the warriors.

He believes their days of war are over. The warriors will be sent to the Blessed Realm the Far West as a measure of their gratitude. The High King declares they are going home at last. Later, Elrond talks to Galadriel about victory, but she does not feel victorious. A part of her always believed her rest would be here. Now, she is expected to leave them. She confesses she has decided to refuse the King’s gift. Her brother gave his life hunting Sauron and his task has become hers. Galadriel admits she is going to go alone if she must. He tells her that seeing a sigil doesn’t mean you’re closer to finding Sauron. Elrond insists the evil is gone, but Galadriel argues it isn’t gone from inside her. She is grateful he hasn’t known evil as she has. Elrond asks if seeking out the enemy will satisfy her. He asks if she will lead more Elves to die in far-off lands if she is wrong. If she refuses the call, it may never come again since no one has ever refused the call before.

He warns her that she’ll linger here as an outcast. Elrond tells her to go. If a whisper of a rumor of the threat proves true, he will not rest until it is put right. Galadriel doesn’t know what she’ll be if she puts up her sword. He tells her that she’ll be his friend like she has always been. In the Southlands, Waldreg works at the bar and talks about someone being poisoned. Arondir (Ismael Cruz Cordova) gets an update from Walreg (Geoff Morrell). He begins asking about the poisoning. Arondir continues asking about the poisoning until a boy sitting nearby tells him to let it go because the lot he lumps them in with died off a thousand years ago. After he asks when they’re going to let the past go, Arondir tells him the past is with them all whether they like it or not. Rowan tells him that the true king will return one day and pry them right out from under their pointy boots.

When another man tries to punch the boy, Arondir stops him. Then, Arondir goes outside where Bronwyn gives him some Alfirin seeds. He hasn’t seen this flower since he was a child. Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi) reveals she traded with another healer to get the seeds. They talk about the healers among his kind even though most of their wounds heal on their own accord. Once Walreg walks outside, Arondir decides to leave in a hurry. As he walks away, he asks about the well and if he drew some water. Medhor asks if he has considered the consequences he might face if the Watchwarden finds out what he is doing. Arondir tells him he talks too much and smells of rotten leaves. Medhor (Augustus Prew) reminds him that a pairing between Elves and humans has only been attempted twice. On each occasion, it ended in tragedy and death. Before Arondir can say why he persists, they’re interrupted and told about the High King declaring the days of war over.

All the far outposts are being disbanded so they’re leaving. Later, Watchwarden Revion (Simon Merrells) catches up with Arondir who says he has been stationed here for 79 years and has grown accustomed to it. Although the area has changed, the people who lived here have not because the blood of those who stood with Morgoth still darkens their veins. Arondir tells him that was a long time ago before revealing he was a grower before the war. Revion tells him he’ll return to more than he left behind and his life will start anew. He reminds Arondir that he watched over these people because of who they still are. Arondir is told to be grateful that he’ll never have to see them again. Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin) watches Bronwyn who tells him to be careful. Theo admits he barely slept last night because of the mice. He doesn’t like seeing Arondir walking towards their property. She goes outside to talk to him about leaving. Arondir admits his company is likely searching for him right now.

She wants him to say what he wants to say. Arondir has said it already. He has said it in every way except words. When Theo comes out to tell her there is a man there to see her, Bronwyn walks away to see who it is. Tredwill (Peter Tait) asks her if she heals animals too. Arondir comes around too and learns that something is wrong with the man’s cow. Bronwyn says it isn’t a fever and she doesn’t seem to have any sores. Tredwill reveals she wandered east a few days ago. Arondir notices a black liquid coming from the cow’s udders before Tredwill says the cow might’ve traveled as far as Hordern. Arondir tells Bronwyn that Hordern is a day’s journey so it can reach it by dusk if he leaves now. She decides to go with him. Rowan and Theo go to a bar because Theo found something under a loose board. Theo is asked if it is true that his mom is getting close to one of the men with pointy boots, but he denies it. Rowan suggests that is why his father ran off. Theo pulls out a sword hilt. Rowan tries to touch it but can’t.

When they hear someone coming, Theo tells him to go. Theo notices the sigil on the hilt. Elrond watches Galadriel leave on a boat. Gil-galad believes she might’ve inadvertently kept alive the evil she sought to defeat if her search continued. Elrond questions if he believes the shadow she sought exists only for the High King to tell him to put his mind at peace about it. He tells Elrond that he did the right thing for Galadriel and Middle-Earth. Elrond admits it is hard to see what is right when friendship and duty are tangled. The King tells him that is the duty of those who lead and those who wish to. He asks Elrond if he is familiar with the work of Lord Celebrimbor. Elrond recognizes him as the greatest of Elven smiths. He is about to embark on a new project of singular importance and Elrond will be working with him. Lord Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) comes over to explain the details. Sadoc believes there is something going on with the stars and that concerns him.

Nori asks him what is up there, but he isn’t eager to tell her. After insulting her a little, he’ll only tell her that the skies are strange. As Arondir and Bronwyn walk together, they talk about the townsfolk of Hordern. She reveals she was born there before Arondir says the people there were known to have a strong loyalty to Morgoth. She doesn’t like that since he is talking about her friends. Arondir says that is why he is with her and she is the only kind touch he has known. Once they get closer to the village, they notice it is on fire. On the Sundering Seas, Galadriel and the others prepare to leave service. She remembers what Finrod told her about a ship floating. The King and others see a meteor in the sky as Galadriel gets closer to the destination. It flies over Arondir and Bronwyn too. Thondir urges Galadriel to give him her hand. She recalls Finrod telling her you sometimes don’t know which lights to follow until you’ve touched the darkness as she struggles with her choice.

Nori sees the meteor just before it crashes nearby. Galadriel grabs her weapon and swims away from the boat. Nori walks over to the crash site where she sees a man lying in the middle of it.

 

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Review

The Rings of Power had an uphill battle on its hands considering its oversized budget and the history of the franchise. Combine that with the fact that it is pretty much going head to head with House of the Dragon and the off-screen action may be more interesting than the on-screen action. It should speak for itself that the Amazon-owned IMDB decided to wipe all 5-star and under user reviews for the series and reviews aren’t being displayed on Amazon’s own website while damaging its reputation with reviewers.

Having personally read some of those reviews before they were hidden, it is hard to imagine how IMDB justified removing them since many were fair critiques of the series. While it is only the first episode, The Rings of Power brings nothing new to the table except gorgeous scenery and high-quality CGI. The storylines and topics have been rehashed countless times before. The dialogue often has to be deciphered since some of the characters are speaking in lyrics and poetry.

There wasn’t enough build-up in the beginning because it is hard to even envision what type of threat Morgoth posed or how much Finrod meant to Galadriel. More time should’ve been dedicated to Galadriel and Finrod’s relationship so there would be more meaning behind her decision to defy the King instead of leaving with the others. None of the characters are standing out at this point unless it would be Elrond thanks to the great performance from Robert Aramayo so far.

Unfortunately, the other performances are lacking with some of the characters resembling robots and others being parodies. The scenery is truly gorgeous so The Rings of Power stands apart in this area, but it failed to straighten out the basics such as the acting, story, dialogue, and character development. A weak lead, hollow characters, and a tedious story do little to instill confidence for the future of the series, but it is only the first episode.

It is easy to get mesmerized by the gorgeous scenery, but the rest will probably lull viewers to sleep. The episode scores a 5.5 out of 10. Recaps of The Lord of the Ring: The Rings of Power can be found on Reel Mockery here. Learn how to support our work at this link.