The Rings of Power: Season 2

I've heard good and bad things about Amazon Prime's multi-tiered The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, from both intense devotees and know-it-alls who (when all is said and done) know nothing. The intersecting voices have asked, was it necessary to launch such a series? Would Tolkien have approved of its prequel content? Is the result a loving homage or superfluous, make-a-buck blasphemy? 

I only know that there have been extensions and revisions to Tarzan of the Apes, Little Women, Moby Dick, Frankenstein, Dracula, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Godfather, The Planet of the Apes (Monkey Planet), Gone with the Wind, The Lost World, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Flowers in the Attic, The Three Musketeers, War of the Worlds, The Time Machine, The Invisible Man, and let's not forget King Arthur on the whole, so why not The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings? Why not show how the sinister Sauron (Charlie Vickers) came to forge his precious items, beyond his (Spoiler!) Halbrand disguise? Why not toss in some healthy competition among its leads to see where Captain Elrond (Robert Aramayo) lands (if anywhere)? Why not gaze once more upon the purposeful beauty of the Lady Galadriel (Morfydd Clark)? Is not the latter, in itself, enough cause to continue a storyline? 

The main thing is that the Rings of Power saga stays brassy yet honorable in the best, Adar (Joseph Mawle) way. Sure, the setups can get political here and there (and have). They can even stir some levity, but none of it should end up like Harry Potter or Rainbow Brite or Charmed or Oh, Calcutta!. In other words, it shouldn't be mushy and cushy or highbrow to a fault, only to appease those apathetic about J.R.R.'s Middle Earth. 

I believe Season 1 held its own, which means it didn't eclipse Peter Jackson's big-screen adaptations, but there's so much more yet to explore beyond this iceberg's tip. Will Season 2 strike a bigger chunk, and how successful will that chunk be? Hell, I don't know, but as long as it doesn't go down the tap-your-feminine-side, Star Wars trail or get all Captain Marvel bland, it ought do just fine among those who keep an open mind. We'll wait and see, though, and from there, judge better after that Numenor air settles. 

For the near present, the first three episodes of Season 2 will be queued to conquer at 3 am, August 29.