With Amazon Prime Video set to premiere the first two episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, many fans are expecting a sprawling, visually stunning reminder of the vast canvas of Tolkien’s work. Given that it is set before the events of The Lord of the Rings, it’s understandable that both new and established fans of his work might have some questions about what this particular iteration of Middle-earth will look like.
Most people are aware of the Hobbits tale and the journey to defeat Sauron but have only ever heard the whispers regarding the Second Age. Thus, it’s worth taking another look at the various elements of Tolkien lore that viewers should know before they actually sit down and watch the premiere.
The Series Takes Place In The Second Age
Arguably, the most important thing that people need to know about The Rings of Power is that it is set during the Second Age of Middle-earth. This is a time of great potential in the world Tolkien created, but it is also a time of great peril.
Evil seems to have been vanquished but, as is so often the case in fantasy, it is always ready to re-emerge to wreak havoc on all that is good. Given how little Tolkien actually fleshed out about this particular period in his history, it seems that there is a lot of potential for the series to develop.
The Elves Have Suffered A Lot
Throughout the First Age, the Elves repeatedly proved why they are one of the most powerful races in Middle-earth. In particular, they repeatedly battled against the great evil of Morgoth, who seemed to go out of his way to make their lives miserable and to destroy them.
As a result, they have suffered enormous losses. There are, in fact, few Elves who have not lost someone, and this will no doubt affect the way that they engage both with one another and with the other races as the events of the series unfold.
Sauron Is But A Shadow Of Morgoth
Depending on what people may or may not know from The Lord of the Rings, Sauron is one of the most evil fantasy villains, and his influence looms large throughout the original series. Powerful as he is, however, he is but a shadow of Morgoth, who was able to reach heights of power of which Sauron could only dream.
By the time the series begins, he could be in hiding since the destruction of his master. However, as the people of Middle-earth will no doubt discover it as the series unfolds, it is very wise to assume that he is a spent force; indeed, his actions will affect the lives and fates of many.
Wizards Have Yet To Appear In Their Usual Guises
Gandalf is one of the most powerful beings in The Lord of the Rings, and he and his fellow wizards have a huge role to play in the Third Age. In the Second Age, however, they have yet to be dispatched to help the peoples of Middle-earth fight against Sauron.
Though it’s a bit unclear just what they were doing at this point, given that they are, like Sauron himself, angelic beings known as Maiar, it’s probably safe to assume that most of them are still spending their days with the Valar. They could very well appear, so viewers will have to be prepared for anything.
This World Is Vast
Though The Lord of the Rings is filled with many beautiful locations, the truth is that the world of the Third Age is more circumscribed than it was in earlier periods. When the Second Age begins, for example, the island of Númenor is just founded.
It is possible that the series will give viewers a chance to see either its founding or, at the very least, its great heights of achievement. More than anything else, the series will give viewers, and the characters, a chance to see Middle-earth in one of its most beautiful states.
There Are Some Complex Family Dynamics
One of the things that has always made Tolkien’s work some of the most beloved of fantasy literature is its rich complexity. This is particularly true when it comes to the Elves, who have their own deep histories and family relationships.
In fact, it is family loyalty that has often played a significant part in their history, and not always in a good way. As The Rings of Power unfolds, these fraught dynamics will shape the destinies of not just individuals but also of entire people, as the threat of Sauron will slowly rise.
There Have Already Been Several Major Wars
For many, some of the most exciting parts of The Lord of the Rings were the battle scenes, many of which were full of action. It is important for viewers to remember that, by the time The Rings of Power opens, there have already been several notable wars and other conflicts have already affected many who are still alive to remember them.
It is these conflicts which will continue to shape (and reshape, and distort) the lives of characters like Galadriel, Elrond, and the others who can remember the events of the distant past.
The Hobbits Don’t Live In The Shire Yet
Obviously, the hobbits are some of the most beloved parts of Middle-earth lore, and so it makes sense that they would appear in this series (even if, in Tolkien’s chronology, that probably wasn’t true). Though they are still in an earlier stage of their development, it’s important to remember that they don’t yet live in the Shire.
This might be a bit jarring for viewers, who are used to seeing them in that particular environment. However, it will give them an opportunity to see how their earlier experiences shaped the people that they would become.
The Dwarves And Elves Have A Complicated Relationship
Few dynamics in Middle-earth are as fraught as that between the Elves and the Dwarves. It is thus important to remember how difficult their relationship can be, particularly since they were very different even in the nature of their creation.
What’s more, they have also engaged in several conflicts with one another. Thus, by the time that The Rings of Power opens, just how their relationship will take shape is very much up for debate, and it will no doubt provide at least one major plot thread.
The Roots Of Future Conflict Are Established During The Second Age
Though the events of The Rings of Power take place long before those of The Lord of the Rings, it’s important for viewers to remember that many of the later conflicts were sown in the deep past. The forging of the One Ring is one example, but it is also the case that such characters as Elrond and Galadriel will have things happen to them, which will impact how they look at the world for years to come.
As is so often the case with Tolkien, events in the present will echo down through the Ages, often in unpredictable ways.