THE RINGS OF POWER Season 3 Review: TROP Forges Its Best Season Yet

The highest praise I can offer The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season three’s first seven episodes is that, between my initial watch, my set visit write-ups, my breakout considerations, and my review, I think I’ve watched them about four or five times in total. And every single time, I’ve had A BLAST. And if you can rewatch episodes so many times in such a short period and still enjoy them every go-around, then something has gone very right indeed. For me, The Rings of Power season three is the best season of the show so far. It takes all the wonderful earnestness of the first two seasons and mixes it with heightened suspense, a greater intensity of darkness, and a more nuanced, psychological look at all the characters. But beyond self-comparison, The Rings of Power season three is among the best TV seasons of TV to grace our screens this year, full stop. Though not without some flaws, the show has a wonderful confidence in this third outing and a sense of truly mature storytelling that had me watching the episodes like I was at a football game. At its greatest moments of suspense, I was absolutely GLUED to my screen, and simply could not wait to press play on the next episode. The sheer craft of the season, from writing to cinematography to acting to the skills of so many artisans, allowed all its raw materials to be forged into true perfection. One season to rule them all. Here’s our The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season three, episodes 1-7 review.

The Rings of Power Season 3 Overall Review

In The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season three, evil is no longer hiding. Sauron’s forces have flooded Middle-earth, and more and more denizens of the world are falling under his thrall. But cleverly, even in the case of characters that do not directly see themselves as submitting to the Dark Lord, Sauron’s very presence in the narrative increases the amount of mistrust, treachery, deceit, misunderstandings, and ill feelings that arise, even between friends. These are dark times, indeed. And that darkness is something that is powerfully felt, palpably present, and wisely wielded by the story to move its many arcs forward.

As people who are arguably living in dark times, the series captures something that’s really resonant in our day and age, even as it broaches the idea in the most fantastical of ways. What do we do when it seems like everyone around us is turning to the darkness? How do we continue when it feels like there is little to have faith in? Who can we rely on when everything is falling apart? Why should we invest in love and community at all, when it is so easy for those beautiful things to be turned into weapons that cut by those who seek to hurt us? These are just some of the meaningful questions that the series grapples with to great effect.

Even in dark times, though, there is hope. And hope is not a childish thing in any part of Tolkien’s world and certainly not in The Rings of Power season three. It’s not some magical balm to soothe all ailments or a button that can be pressed to instantly heal all wounds. No hope is hard-won; it flutters on the heels of taking difficult steps and making choices that aren’t always simple. My favorite theme of the season is the idea that sometimes, to achieve lofty aims, to create a better future, one must make choices that sting, that may be drenched in darkness themselves, that ring of sacrifice. But true creation requires sacrifice. And to find the light we must sometimes first touch darkness. The Rings of Power season three forges all its best ideas together, and brings them to us in a way that rings true in Middle-earth and our world.

And, of course, this is a Lord of the Rings series. So even as the days get harder, humor, heart, and love still rise to the top, flooding irresistibly from the characters we adore as they reunite with the ones who bring joy to their hearts. As I mentioned, The Rings of Power has a gorgeous earnestness that carries into season three, grim days or not. The characters are all so beautifully crafted and have such delightful and charming relationships with one another; it’s hard for us not to smile when they come together.

Seeing Elrond and Durin sit side by side as they gently rib one another, enjoying the chaos of Durin and Disa’s family unit, watching Isildur and Elendil’s joy to greet one another, witnessing Galadriel and Celeborn’s flirtatious and dreamy first meeting, and giggling at Arondir and Marnûkh’s begrudging orc-elf bromance shenanigans as Galadriel encourages the latter to share his poetry with the class, and more, allows us to indulge in moments where the presence of evil is erased completely. And in those times, we wish we could simply remain in this place of joy, even as we understand that wouldn’t be much of a story at all. Fellowship, after all, will truly defeat the darkness, and The Rings of Power season three threads that thought into its story perfectly.

The Rings of Power season three also does a magnificent job of bringing its many disparate storylines together in really compelling ways. Series with large casts can sometimes make the (wrong) choice to keep their characters apart. But in season three, The Rings of Power aims to bring storylines together, and it is really to the benefit of all.

Also, I MUST mention The Rings of Power season three put something in its episodes literally just for me. (And you, if you’re like me.) You’ll know it when you see it, if it’s for you! As they say, IYKYK!!!

Númenor

Númenor has never been my overall favorite storyline, but in The Rings of Power season three, it really caught me. This year, Númenor’s story is tight; a wonderfully dynamic and fascinating high-fantasy political drama with the heart of a nation… And the fate of Middle-earth… at stake. There’s beauty, tragedy, and a rich tapestry of characters in play. Introducing new characters into the mix of this plot thread makes a story you may know from the lore unfold in novel and fascinating ways.

And let me say, the yearning between Elendil and Míriel is exquisite, even as they are both pulled away from one another by their love for their country and the duty that sits as urgently in their hearts as their personal feelings. Truly, Cynthia Addai-Robinson and Lloyd Owen DELIVER this season. Trystan Gravelle also blows it out of the water. He makes Pharazôn more sinister and punchable than ever and delivers on the promise of a powder-keg character who can turn from personable to vicious on an absolute dime. Finally, Ema Horvath brings us her most compelling performance of Eärien yet.

Elrond

Robert Aramayo remains a pitch-perfect Elrond in The Rings of Power season three. This year, he’s thinking a lot about his identity as a half-elven character and the legacy of his brother Elros. Can the Kingdom of Man be trusted to assist Middle-earth?

On the one hand, Man is Elrond’s kin, a part of the brother he so loved; on the other, he does not understand them at all. We know from the lore that this question will become paramount as the series continues and will stay with Elrond long after the Second Age of Middle-earth comes to a close. Its roots are perfectly seeded this season. I’ll say no more to avoid spoilers.

Durin, Disa, and Khazad-dûm in The Rings of Power Season 3

In Middle-earth, Sauron is on everyone’s minds. For now, in Khazad-dûm, the dwarves have opted for neutrality in the war between the elves and Sauron. But with the Dwarven rings already forged, the question of what to do with them looms large. Durin and Disa’s story this season both zooms out to touch the bigger tenets of the lore and zooms in to a really beautiful tale of trust and devotion. Like in Númenor, there’s devotion that comes as love of another and devotion that comes as love of a kingdom. And both make a great impact. Sophia Nomvete’s Stone Singing, as always, is a true highlight, as it goes to fiercer, more intense places than ever before in season three. And Disa remains the implacable voice of reason we all need in our lives. Meanwhile, Owain Arthur is the most charming and tender dwarf to ever have dwarfed. Although the Dwarven storyline was touch-and-go at times, I think it was ultimately pulled off well.

Gandalf

To the East, Daniel Weyman remains an exceptional choice for a younger Gandalf. In his formative years, Gandalf is wise and cheerful, but less patient. We can see the DNA of a future Gandalf, one who only on occasion can be ruffled, in this version of the character, but also see that Gandalf has not fully learned all his important lessons yet. This Gandalf still has impatience; he still wants to act in ways that would better suit the enemy, but he’s learning, he’s trying, and he just wants to see the good in everyone around him. Weyman really makes us feel that Gandalf is a character we can trust, someone who might give us a hug if we really needed it, but will always stand his ground. He’s not unafraid, he’s not all-powerful, but he’s good. It’s a much-needed storyline in a world descending so quickly into evil. And who knows who Gandalf might meet along the way.

Galadriel, Arondir, and Marnûkh in The Rings of Power Season 3

Elsewhere, Galadriel, Arondir, and the orc Marnûkh are on the oddest road trip ever… Marnûkh has information that might stop Sauron in his tracks, but he needs help putting it to good use. But is he to be trusted? To me, it doesn’t matter because he IS my son. Marnûkh is REALLY well written and truly hilarious. There’s a joke he makes about orcs eating babies that is so funny… You’ll have to take my word for it until you watch. And Adam Young’s acting choices and timing are genius. We also love that Galadriel has NOT forgotten the lessons she learned with Adar in The Rings of Power season three, and that those interactions truly changed her. For an elf who once threatened to kill every last orc in Middle-earth, she has learned how to say “Uruk.” (At least most of the time!)

The beautiful relationship between Arondir and Galadriel, two of the loneliest souls in Middle-earth, is also a really fun choice. And Arondir getting to hang out with, as Ismael Cruz Córdova says, “The Beyoncé of Middle-earth” brings us a warm, fond friendship. We enjoy Arondir stepping into his power and confidence this season, asserting himself among the high-elves he did not before feel a part of.

Celeborn, Galadriel, and Sauron

As we know, Jamie Campbell Bower’s Celeborn waits somewhere down the road, and Celeborn is a really great addition to our current cabal of elves. He’s a big nerd (complimentary) and brings that sort of iconic ethereal, poetic, dreamy elf nature into the mix. Despite having been held captive by the enemy for a long time, he still longs for light, nature, and love. There’s a softness to Celeborn that I enjoy. He just wants to talk about different kinds of plants! Let him live!

Of course, the reunion of Celeborn and Galadriel is a major part of both their arcs. But as mentioned earlier, there are no shortcuts in The Rings of Power season three. Time has passed between husband and wife; things have changed, they have changed, and that’s reflected in the way their relationship unfolds. Despite the heaviness, it is beautiful to see Galadriel allowing herself to rely on someone else to carry the weight, even if only for moments.

All that said, on Galadriel’s part, the desire—some might say, obsession—to stop Sauron IS the other major part of her arc. She knows Sauron and knows he will never stop if not stopped. And stopping him is top of mind for her… And sometimes just Sauron is top of mind for her. Facts are facts, America. I’ll have more to say about this in an article coming very soon.

Sauron in The Rings of Power Season 3

Then, of course, there’s Sauron. Charlie Vickers absolutely crushes it as a Sauron who is at once SO evil and SO pathetic and SO fabulous and SO needy; it’s truly amazing. In many ways, Sauron is just a friendless loser in this season. In his big tower, he has only the orcs for company, and whoever he can woo to his side with their own greed or fear. And none of the people he’s hanging out with even like him much. He’s being haunted by the voices of his own insecurities, taking the form of a deliciously biting Celebrimbor, played by the returning Charles Edwards, who won’t even let Sauron call him “partner” in his own mind. On some level, I feel Sauron longs to be part of something he just can’t understand and thus thoroughly rejects. It’s honestly sad in a way. And yet, Sauron is so deliciously evil.

Sauron sees no point in pretense in The Rings of Power season three; he’s ready to do the worst thing to get what he wants, and he is not a drop sorry about it. He’s maiming, torturing, and killing, and he barely blinks. But in a sense we can see, and Sauron can’t, it doesn’t really seem like he’s having a wonderful time. He’s obsessed with forging the One Ring… But to what end? We have to give a little shoutout to Simon Pegg’s Balrog here. The Balrog absolutely ROASTS Sauron in their scene together, calling him out on everything. And we stan.

That said, the forging of the One Ring sequence is truly incredible. And Charlie Vickers does a phenomenal job acting against only the fires of Mount Doom. Tolkien wrote, “In the land of Mordor, in the fires of Mount Doom, the Dark Lord Sauron forged in secret, a master ring, to control all others. And into this ring he poured all his cruelty, his malice and his will to dominate all life.” And these lines VISCERALLY come to life, perfectly encapsulating the lore and having IMMEDIATE and INTENSE impact on every being… Sauron included.

Concluding Thoughts on The Rings of Power Season 3

No series is perfect. There are certainly parts of The Rings of Power season three that fall short, and some aren’t minor aspects of the show. But overall, the season brought to life an incredibly well-written, gorgeously executed, brilliantly acted, beautiful season of television. It really exceeded even my very high expectations. And at the end of the seven episodes, I felt I had watched something that not only delighted me but captivated me. I felt I had watched a show with characters that were well-formed, nuanced, complicated, tragic, hopeful, heartfelt, intriguing, and connected to one another. I felt I watched a show that wasn’t wandering lost through the desert, but knew exactly what it wanted to accomplish in its story and hit every one of those notes.

We have so many options to choose from in this day and age, but The Rings of Power season three is worthy of your time. So tune in!

If you’d like to learn more about this Middle-earth adventure, you can pick up The Fall of Númenor: And Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-earth and read more about Tolkien’s vision of the time when the show takes place.

The Rings of Power season three will release on November 11.