The Rings of Power season 2 review: Splendid storytelling redeems series - but it still has flaws

Attempting to emulate the scale of Middle-earth that audiences have come to expect, it employed a sprawling and meandering narrative under the assumption that more — more characters, more locations, more plotlines, more lore — was more ‘epic’.

That instinct, firstly, was incorrect, and secondly, left the series severely lacking in depth and focus. It displayed how the potential can be held back by just one flaw, when that flaw is something fundamental.

Upon its return, The Rings of Power’s second bite at the apple has just one task. With all that potential and such otherwise glistening foundations, it needs to find a better narrative.

Here’s the bottom line: across its eight-episode run, The Rings of Power season 2 retains everything that was brilliant about the first season while, crucially, also significantly improving its storytelling. But there are caveats.

Season 2 picks up in the immediate aftermath of 2022’s finale. Halbrand (Charlie Vickers) has been unmasked as Sauron, and the first inklings of his plan are unveiled after the creation of the three fortuitous rings.

Now, the core focus is Sauron’s next steps as he weaves a web of deception to create further Rings of Power (the instruments of his desired domination of Middle-earth) and the ensuing battles — both interpersonal and military — that follow.

Meanwhile, Middle-earth’s struggles continue elsewhere as the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm deal with the lingering terror beneath their feet, Númenor struggles with its position in the order of the world, and the Stranger (Daniel Weyman) journeys to Rhûn to discern his purpose and discover his identity.

The Rings of Power season 2’s greatest feat is that, out of all the sprawling strands of the story, the central thread — Sauron’s manipulation of Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) — is by far the strongest, serving as a powerful anchor.

Unlike in the first season, this compelling core narrative stands on its own two feet, propelling the story onward rather than melting away into a vague cacophony of disconnected plotlines all fighting for supremacy.

Talented, intelligent and charismatic, Celebrimbor is also blinded by his pride, his ego and his hubris — something that Sauron so delicately, and maliciously, exploits. The resulting relationship between the two is magnetic: an engrossing and finely balanced dance that spans all eight episodes, progressing steadily to its inevitable conclusion.

Of all the characters of Middle-earth to be brought to the screen, Edwards spins Celebrimbor into one of the most richly complex and unique, lending the second season a dramatic gravitas that continually evaded first.

Another relationship that shines is that of the father and son, equally stubborn and obstinate, Prince Durin (Owain Arthur) and King Durin (Peter Mullan). Counterbalancing the journey of Celebrimbor and Sauron, theirs is relatable, heartfelt and earnest. Whenever attention turns toward it, it’s a welcomed tether to reality.

It helps that the cast is permanently framed against such a gorgeously splendid backdrop, too. Even more than in the first season, The Rings of Power season 2’s visuals are something to behold.

In particular, audiences are given a more detailed window into the Dwarven and Elven kingdoms: both opulent and glittering, but in entirely distinct and fitting ways, almost as if plucked directly from Tolkien’s imagination.

And, the diverse variety of creatively ugly orcs are ever-entertaining and wonderfully grotesque, proving once again that Peter Jackson seriously misstepped when he decided to replace tangible costumes and makeup for CGI with his Hobbit trilogy.

The level of care poured into this work in The Rings of Power is staggering, and every penny of that famously hefty budget seems put to good use. No matter how long a shot lingers on some incredible backdrop or detail, whether it's Dwarven stonework or some twisting golden-hued Elven tree, you’ll always want more.

None of this is merely superficial, either. Tolkien paid just as much attention to creating the grand landscapes of Middle-earth as he did the characters that inhabit it. Bringing that to life authentically and faithfully will always be a laudable achievement, and not one that should be taken for granted.

With a tighter — better — narrative driving force and permanently spectacular visuals, these glimmers of greatness all mean that this time around, it's easier to put aside The Rings of Power’s underlying issues, many of which remain unchanged.

While the show’s sense of focus is much improved (something that greatly helps in allaying the first season’s sluggish pacing), there is still a huge disparity in the quality of the many plotlines.

As well-rendered as the Elven and Dwarven story beats are, the primarily political Númenórean subplot is eye-rollingly tedious. The Stranger’s continued quest to uncover his identity isn’t much better, either.

Equally, the coherence of geography and time (such integral, painstakingly detailed components of Tolkien’s writing) are still sore casualties, as characters traverse back and forth across mindboggling distances in the blink of an eye. The progression of the plot is still occasionally determined by noticeable contrivances. The excessively florid and portentous dialogue can still stick in the ear.

Most frustratingly, ‘What is the real name of this character?’ still remains a primary (and patience-testing) mode of storytelling. Yes, the identity of the Stranger is finally revealed by the end of this season, but it was an artificial mystery that ought to have been resolved at the start of the first season, let alone by the end of the second.

By the time it is mercifully resolved, it's overstayed its welcome by an outrageous degree. Worst of all, it’s immediately replaced by another like-for-like mystery, with yet another similarly ambiguously named character.

The Rings of Power would almost undoubtedly make for better TV if it had simply jettisoned its weaker storylines, but by this point, it’s clear that unevenness is a part of the show’s DNA; in one moment brilliant, in one moment perplexing. And, it’s a mistake to judge The Rings of Power for what it could be, rather than what it is.

Whether or not the second season’s genuine and significant improvements make the continued presence of these flaws more or less frustrating is difficult to judge. In the end, The Rings of Power season 2 is largely so carefully crafted, so creative, and so captivating that it’s incredibly easy to enjoy and appreciate what works, and ignore nearly everything else.

Read more on The Rings of Power:

• What happened in The Rings of Power season 1? Full recap before season 2
• Rings of Power bosses tease 'most ambitious battle in TV history' in season 2
• How to watch The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies in order
• What is the Second Age of Middle-earth? Rings of Power timeline explained

The Rings of Power season 2 will launch on Prime Video on 29th August – you can sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial.

If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.