‘The Rings of Power’ Latest Episode Addresses One of Peter Jackson’s Most Controversial Changes to Sauron and Corrects It

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As a lifelong devotee to the lore of Middle-earth and a self-proclaimed Tolkien purist, I must say that the second season of The Rings of Power has thus far been a breath of fresh air for me, especially when it comes to the portrayal of Sauron. Having grown up with Peter Jackson’s film trilogy, I was always left wanting more from the enigmatic figure that is the Dark Lord.

At present, “The Rings of Power” is in the middle of its second run. Compared to the initial season, it seems that this installment sticks closer to the original lore; however, there’s still room for refinement in certain aspects.

A striking difference between the second season and Peter Jackson’s movie trilogy lies in their depiction of Sauron, whom they call Annatar in the series.

Peter Jackson’s trilogy adopted a contentious portrayal of Sauron, often depicting him as an immense eye (the Eye of Sauron) instead of the intricate and conventional shape described in J.R.R. Tolkien’s literature. This simplified representation raised concerns among fans who felt it flattened the character’s complexity and reduced the menace of his role as a dark lord.

As a devoted viewer, I’ve noticed that Sauron often takes on the role of a menacing presence rather than an actively involved character, which can make him seem less captivating and intimidating when compared to other villains who have richer histories and personalities.

In different stories, Sauron is often depicted as having the ability to transform into various creatures like elves, vampires, and wolves. Yet, in his on-screen adaptation by Jackson, he was presented in a more exaggerated or comical style.

In a subtler portrayal, “The Rings of Power” depicts Sauron’s character in a more complex manner by demonstrating his capacity to transform into various forms across the series. The towering fiery eye consistently represents Sauron’s presence and control, a symbolism that is once again emphasized in the latest episode.

Instead of portraying Sauron as just a burning eye, the showrunners have returned to its symbolic interpretation. In episode 6, during a dialogue between Adar and Galadriel regarding Sauron, Adar accuses Galadriel of being under his sway, expressing it thusly: “The eye pierces while the rest of him creeps in.

This portrayal offers a more faithful depiction of Sauron’s eye than Jackson’s version. At his core, Sauron is a manipulator who delves into his targets’ psyches to uncover their weaknesses.

In Middle-earth, many creatures are drawn towards vulnerabilities related to the temptation of power. Sauron offers an abundance of power, yet what he truly provides is dominion and merciless rule, leading to the corruption and decay of anything pure and sacred.

Galadriel had previously undergone a kind of examination by Sauron. He proposed an army to her, something that her own people refused to offer, erroneously thinking that Sauron had been vanquished and his power diminished.

In the narrative, Sauron’s eye isn’t just a literal object hunting for the Ring; instead, it symbolizes a figurative idea. The gaze of Sauron isn’t a physical entity but rather a subtle, intellectual, and psychological examination intended to mislead.

Sauron sees into your soul, making his manipulations even more potent and harder to resist.

Perhaps, a return to using metaphors should strike a chord with devoted fans of Tolkien, who felt that Jackson’s portrayal of the character fell short of their expectations.

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2024-09-23 14:14