10 Ways ‘The Rings of Power’ Is Different than ‘Lord of the Rings’ (& 5 Why It Is Better)

As a long-time fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic saga, I must admit that “The Rings of Power” has significantly enriched my appreciation for Middle Earth and its lore. Having grown up with the movies, I was initially skeptical about the necessity of another adaptation. However, after watching the show, I find myself pleasantly surprised.

‘The second season of ‘The Rings of Power’ has been released, but while many viewers initially enjoyed it, there seems to be a general feeling that it didn’t fix the issues from the first season and even introduced some new ones. The audience numbers for the first three episodes are low, which isn’t a good sign for the show’s future. However, it’s important to note that ‘The Rings of Power’ hasn’t gotten everything wrong.’

After examining the series against Jackon’s films, we found that while it excels in certain areas, it unfortunately lags significantly behind in others. Here’s our take on it.

1. The timeline

The primary issue with this TV series is that J.R.R. Tolkien didn’t write a specific book about the Second Age, and the rights to the comprehensive book he did cover it in aren’t available for adaptation. This means the show isn’t entirely faithful to the original canon. To fit within a more manageable timeframe, the creators condensed thousands of years into a smaller period, which worked for human characters at times but left viewers puzzled about certain storylines and their true significance in shaping the overall narrative.

The ‘Lord of the Rings’ films focus on a condensed timeline, ensuring high precision and reducing potential confusion.

Regrettably, there’s an abundance of inexactities and confusion in the series, but due to its length constraints, I can’t delve deeper.

2. Galadriel is radically different

The initial point of contention among fans regarding the showrunners’ decisions was that Galadriel, a character known for her wisdom, ethereal grace, and powerful leadership in the original trilogy, was depicted differently. In the movies, Galadriel exuded a sense of serenity, being benevolent, compassionate, and possessing a maternal demeanor.

In ‘The Rings of Power’, Galadriel’s portrayal is bold and impulsive, more akin to acting first and thinking later. In contrast to her book character, she appears less wise and lacking in self-restraint. Contrary to the books, where Galadriel was powerful but not depicted as a warrior, the show presents her as a lead with fighting skills. This could be seen as an unfaithful adaptation. The show omits significant details about Galadriel’s personal life, such as her marriage to Celeborn and their daughter, Celebrían, which are crucial parts of her narrative in the books. Consequently, these oversights raise concerns about the accuracy and completeness of the show’s representation of Galadriel.

3. The romantic undertones in the dynamic between Galadriel and Sauron

In the epic tale ‘The Lord of the Rings’, Galadriel and Sauron are portrayed as ancient, formidable adversaries. Among the few beings in Middle-earth, Galadriel possesses both the wisdom and the might to counteract Sauron’s influence. Essentially, she stands as one of the remaining strongholds against Sauron’s expanding darkness. She is cognizant of the allure and perils that power holds.

In ‘The Rings of Power’, Sauron manipulates Galadriel subtly, and their bond, while not explicitly romantic, carries a unique and profound significance. The showrunners have suggested that this connection deepens in the second season, stirring controversy reminiscent of sacrilege. This sets the stage for an upcoming major revelation.

4. Orcs are just misunderstood

Tolkien never definitively established where orcs came from in his writings. He frequently pondered the possibility that they were once elves corrupted by dark influences, but he grappled with uncertainties regarding their origins, their ability to make choices, and their final destiny. In ‘The Lord of the Rings’, orcs are portrayed as wicked and brutal entities who function as the foot soldiers for malevolent forces, chiefly under the control of Sauron and Saruman.

They’re portrayed as being devoid of ethical standards or empathy, driven by hate, fear, and ill-will. Interestingly, despite their disorderly appearance, they maintain a structured and regimented demeanor when controlled by their sinister leaders.

In a recent episode of ‘The Rings of Power’, we’ve been given a new perspective on orcs – they’re depicted as misunderstood beings with families and a disdain for Sauron, choosing not to fight under his command. However, this portrayal is controversial among some viewers as the writers appear to be reinterpreting established lore in unconventional ways, which some find unnecessary or even absurd. At their core, orcs are villainous creatures – let’s leave it at that.

5. Forced diversity

In Tolkien’s original works, there was a rich tapestry of diverse races, creatures, beings, and deities, which were beautifully depicted in the films. However, in the new series ‘The Rings of Power’, efforts have been made to include characters of color, but unfortunately, these diversifications do not always add depth or significance to the storyline. While it’s great to see non-white elves and dwarves, the way they are being incorporated feels contrived, as if they are merely being included for the sake of representation in key scenes. This approach can come across as superficial and insincere.

6. Isildur is much better in ‘The Rings of Power’

Initially, Isildur was not intended to be an over-the-top antagonist who stubbornly refuses to destroy the ring and flaunts a smug demeanor – such a characterization wasn’t present in the books. Instead, it appears that ‘The Rings of Power’ is working to flesh out Isildur’s character by providing more background and complexity. We already know his ultimate fate, but most of what happens before then remains a mystery, and I hope the show will successfully fill in those gaps.

7. Sauron is better

In “The Lord of the Rings,” Sauron is often portrayed as a menacing, yet distant figure, making it challenging to fully recognize him as the main antagonist in the films. Instead, characters like Saruman and orcs tend to capture more attention. However, “The Rings of Power” series has given us multiple aspects of Sauron’s forms and identities, providing a more comprehensive portrayal of his character compared to the movies.

In essence, Sauron proves to be an exceptional master of deceit throughout the series, causing significant harm with just a portion of his immense power. This cunning manipulation and subtle corruption are what make me find him particularly intriguing in this adaptation.

8. Dwarves are more interesting

In the movies, Dwarves are often presented as a robust, tenacious, and resourceful species, famed for their extraordinary abilities in mining, metallurgy, and stonework. They are typically shown as powerfully built, compact, and durable, with a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, riches, and treasure – especially gold and precious jewels. However, they were also often used for comic relief. ‘The Hobbit’ made some strides in correcting this image, but it was ‘The Rings of Power’ that gave us a fuller view of their once noble civilization and remarkable skills.

9. More locations, more stories

In contrast to ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ which concentrated on a select group of characters in significant locations, ‘The Rings of Power’ has the potential to delve into virtually every corner of its world across its planned five seasons. This expansiveness sets it apart from the ‘Lord of the Rings’ films, which had time constraints and had to cut certain aspects, leaving them somewhat one-dimensional. The TV series, however, thrives on the format’s capacity to delve deeper into stories and characters, offering a richer, more immersive experience.

10. Elrond is more accurate

In “The Lord of the Rings,” Elrond comes across as a stern individual, seldom showing smiles and rarely expressing satisfaction with people or situations in general. He exudes grace and dignity, maintaining an air of calmness that mirrors his age and wisdom. However, contrary to popular portrayals and films, Elrond was deceitful towards Arwen, using manipulation to keep her from Aragorn. In truth, he had no objections to their union as long as Aragorn fulfilled his destiny as a king. The Amazon series “The Rings of Power” paints him as more benevolent and compassionate, which aligns more closely with reality. Nevertheless, Elrond’s critical nature remains a consistent characteristic throughout various interpretations.

2024-09-11 15:14