'The Rings of Power' trailer drops, fans reveal expectations

With the latest trailer for the upcoming season of the series, The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power, JRR Tolkien’s saga enters the grand finale. We speak to some hardcore fans on their expectations

Don't adventures have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on the story.” For many years, this quote by Bilbo Baggins to his nephew, Frodo, would echo through this writer’s head back from when he first read The Lord Of The Rings by JRR Tolkien. Since it was first published in 1949, the epic saga has captivated generations of readers.

JRR Tolkien. Pic Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons 

The Amazon Prime series, The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings of Power, saw fans dive into the complex lore in the fantasy world. With the arrival of the trailer for the second season, the dark lord Sauron is on the rise. While fans are still split about the show, its makers have announced a release date on August 29. We reach out to fans in the city to know about their expectations from the latest iteration of Tolkien’s lore, and the characters they love.

It lacks heart

I got into the books because of the movies. I love the lore and fantasy that surrounds the world. I have seen the Rings of Power, and dislike it. The misrepresentation of Galadriel is something I hated. I would have loved to see them focus on the dwarves who reclaim Mount Erebor from Smaug. It would be better if they narrowed their focus on one race as a whole. The new trailer is okay-ish, but I wish they include more characters from the books. The one thing the series does not understand is the core message of Tolkien’s lore — a rejection of modernisation and a focus on simple living.

Kevin Rodricks, 30, Bandra

Will be fast-paced and action-packed

I felt that they have taken quite a lot from the lore. I understand why a lot of people don’t like it, but it was okay. Tolkien’s literature is deep and detailed. You have to compromise when making an adaptation for the screen. The second season promises a lot of depth. It will be more entertaining, since the build-up is now done. The pace will be faster. The key to a good adaptation is to keep the spirit of the stories intact. I am looking forward to witnessing the rise of 
Sauron into this formless being. While Galadriel is an interesting character, to me, the story has always been about Sauron.

Swapnil Raje, 48, Andheri

Trying to be Game of Thrones

Galadriel; (right) a moment from the trailer

I remember renting out a CD when I moved to Delhi, and watching the movie. The same year, my sister brought me the book. I was obsessed with it. The first movies were a lot more loyal to the tone of the story. There were changes, but it is still not a bad adaptation. I put off watching The Rings of Power for the longest time, but caught up on it during a night-long binge last month. I never understood the series. It is trying to be Game of Thrones. I understand that from a production perspective, but not as a fan. While I have many complaints, I hope they do justice to Elrond in the second season. He is such a fascinating character and so important.

Vivek Jha, 33, Powai

Completely untrue to lore

I started reading the book back in school just when the first movies came out. What caught my attention about the epic is the hope it offers. I love the movies, even though there were a few changes from Tolkien lore. I did watch the first season of The Rings of Power. I think they tried to take tidbits from the whole of The Second Age and tried to recapture the myth. Galadriel and Sauron’s tale is something that does not make sense. I will watch the second season, even though I dreaded the first; only to find out how far they stray. The only character whose story I look forward to is Gothmog, the orc with the disfigured face.

Quinton Pereira, 36, Malad

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