Even before The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power came to Amazon*, many fans had one major criticism: the creation of characters that had never before appeared in JRR Tolkien’s extensive Middle-earth work. Why did the series have to come up with new characters when the fantasy author’s world actually provided enough exciting personnel? After Season 1, there is a clear answer to this question.
Warning, spoilers follow for the entire Season 1 of The Rings of Power.
Why the Lord of the Rings series needs characters that Tolkien didn’t have
With Galadriel, Elrond, Celebrimbor, Gil-galad, Finrod, Sauron and many more, a number of characters have made the leap from Tolkien’s book pages into the series. While their casting announcements were greeted with anticipation, the all-new Lord of the Rings series characters faced a lot of skepticism ahead of time. But the new characters have enriched the series more than their better-known colleagues.
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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – Disa with Durin
First of all, from the series action time of the Second Age in Tolkien *, heroes and rulers are primarily handed down. Yet to create a believable worldit also needs simpler participants like the harfeet, who would rather go down in the history books.
Also, the many fresh Lord of the Rings characters in Season 1 served as narrative hazein order to let the seemingly new characters (i.e. Halbrand and the stranger) appear natural in the crowd.
It was fun to get to know the non-Tolkien characters without any influence or predetermination. And at the same time its most important function is concealed behind it: Because the new ones live in a house that shouldn’t be underestimated power of ignorance inside
The new characters save The Rings of Power from the prequel problem
There may be some appeal for Lord of the Rings fans to find out how true Tolkien figures like Galadriel, Sauron and Elrond got to the point where we got to know them in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Ultimately, you worry marked path but for boredom. Or at least it would if The Rings of Power only told her story. Just getting from A to B is nowhere near as exciting as the possibility of never getting to B.
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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – Galadriel
Many prequel series – and there are currently a lot of them – have this problem. Star Wars showed this particularly acutely: Obi-Wan Kenobi, which as a prequel and sequel at the same time, crammed in between Episode III and IV, no more air to breathe remained, because the beginning and the end were fixed beforehand. Better Call Saul got around the dilemma by jumping back in time after Breaking Bad.
In The Rings of Power there are also figures that in season 1 under the history of illness suffer: If Isildur (Maxim Baldry) is declared dead in episode 7, for example, his father Elendil (Lloyd Owen) can ban no matter how much honest sadness on his weather-beaten face: Lord of the Rings fans know that the son is coming back and Sauron the Ring knocks off finger.
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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – Elendil and Isildur
Their destinies no longer hold any big surprises. “The new ones” don’t have this problem of the story corset, because no one can read or google her story beforehand – or already knows her inside out. When Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi), Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin) and Arondir (Ismael Cruz Cordova) say goodbye to each other before the Battle of Udûn, a cold sweat breaks out as we don’t know if this might be the last time they’ll see each other. We’re excited for what Nori (Markella Kavenagh) will find with The Stranger in Season 2 in the East. And even about the fate of hitherto blurred characters like Isildur’s sister Eärien (Ema Horvath) one can speculate with pleasure. All this keeps the tension up.
The new Lord of the Rings characters bring more than just surprises to Middle-earth
All non-Tolkien characters carry the burden of shared excitement on their elf, harfoot, dwarf and human shoulders. In addition, they are able to to mature into complex figures. Hardly anyone is more fascinating than the evil elf Adar (Joseph Mawle), who is clearly drawn as a villain in season 1 and at the same time brings comprehensible plot motives including orc love. Disa (Sophia Nomvete) and Arondir also got on in Season 1 quite rightly new fan favorites played convincingly and with unusual character facets, they fought for their place in the sun of Middle-earth.
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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – Adar
The new additions fit seamlessly into Tolkien’s world. And more: you explain angles of fantasy realmaround which mysteries are entwined to this day.
These characters may not have made it into the history books of Tolkien’s empire by name. But after Season 1 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, they got their own Well deserved place in Middle-earth. And we’re excited to see what the future of the Amazon series has in store for you.
The Power Rings: Lord of the Rings Series Finale Podcast with Season 2 Outlook
In the grand finale, Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power solves the greatest mysteries of Season 1. We discuss the revelations and take a look ahead at what promises the show is already making for Season 2.
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From hidden Lord of the Rings references to promised new characters joining Galadriel and Sauron, we’re taking a deep dive into the season’s ending, covering the best and worst moments alike.
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After Season 1, how do you feel about the new non-Tolkien characters in Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series?