We're going to step briefly but firmly outside of sci-fi to address Amazon's The Rings of Power, which we've done before in our show addressing anti-diversity sentiments as a general entertainment issue.

Amazon have temporarily suspended their rating system amidst concerns that it may be being review bombed but the reality of that is unclear.

On Rotten Tomatoes it presently sports an 84% score from reviewers and 34% from the audience.

The Hollywood Reporter note that there are some bigoted audience comments.

But the majority of the negative reviews — whatever the writers’ private feelings — criticized the show for non-diversity reasons. “They spent a billion dollars on backdrops and a film score,” wrote one. “The rest is slow moving, wooden acting and there is no reason to actually like the main characters. There is no soul to any of it.”

Being a long-time fan of the Lord of the Rings fan we watched the first few two episodes and sadly found it to be all over the place.

There's an early scene with Elrond sitting in a tree reading a book, and some elves having been looking for him.

Messenger: At last.

Elron: Yes. It's almost as if I didn't wish to be found. ( chuckles )

Heard that joke before, and with better delivery.

They give him the message.

Elrond: Is there anything else?

Messenger: Yes. Your friend has arrived.

Elrond: She's here? Why didn't you say so?

Right.

So basically Amazon spent half a billion dollars to make a generic English period drama but with elves, dwarves and proto-hobbits.

Which is what played out.

Even putting aside some extraordinary liberties they took with canon which most casual viewers would be oblivious to - having nothing to do with diversity - there are some hilariously stupid scenes.

Like Galadriel and some other warriors have supposedly been awarded an "unrivalled honour" - return to Valinor - for their having spent several centuries hunting for evil enemies.

This is one of those canonically bizarre liberties but just roll with it.

So all of the warriors are on this boat heading for Valinor and each is attended by a pretty elf girl.

Are those maidens about to share this "unrivalled honour" simply for being window dressing?

Apparently not because they either vanish into thin air or silently jump overboard.

It's a real head-scratcher.

What Would a Fair Score Be?

With this series we'd say anything goes.

Lord of the Rings fans with even a rudimentary grasp of its canon could legitimately regard it as awful.

We won't be watching any more.

Viewers who enjoy period English period dramas might legitimately enjoy it.

Visually it is excellent and as English period dramas go, decent if lacking in originality.

Assuming you can overlook or forgive infrequent hilariously stupid scenes like the boat.

While we do regard it as a poor adaptation of a beloved franchise we also view it as a fascinating entertainment experiment.

Can you dress up an English period drama in fantasy attire and great special effects?

While disregarding that fantasy property's canon?

We wouldn't have rolled the dice on a half billion dollar production to test that theory, but are curious to see how the dice land.

If favourable it could have immediate consequences for sci-fi, eg. the potential Stargate revival.

Amazon might not need to worry about pleasing existing fans or continuity with previous works.

Just throw enough money at it for sizzling special effects and write it however they like.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power first two episodes are streaming now on Amazon with its remaining episodes releasing weekly.

[ Main Image: The Rings of Power. Credit: Amazon via IMDb.com. ]

References

Hibberd, James (September 2, 2022). Is ‘The Rings of Power’ Getting Review Bombed? Amazon Suspends Ratings. The Hollywood Reporter.

Rotten Tomatoes. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. (viewed September 3, 2022)

TV Shows Transcripts. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power - S01E01 Shadow of the Past. (viewed September 3, 2022)