I know this is a bold stance in some corners of the fantasy world, but here it is: I love The Rings of Power. I liked it the first time. I loved it more the second time. And now, midway through my third rewatch, I’m convinced — this series is doing something remarkable, even if it doesn’t always get the credit it deserves.
There’s a lot of noise in the fantasy fandom multiverse right now. Maybe you’ve noticed. Certain franchises (which shall remain unnamed) are still trying to wring blood from the dragon-shaped stone, with increasingly soggy results. But Rings of Power? It’s quietly becoming one of the richest fantasy narratives on screen, and Season 3 might just be its breakthrough moment.
A Show That Rewards Patience — and Rewatching
I get it. The first season was… a lot. Characters, timelines, ancient grudges, glowing objects, morally ambiguous elves. It’s a lot to take in on the first go. The second season added more of everything; more political intrigue, more shadowy figures, more consequences. And at times, yes, the pacing could meander.
But that’s the thing. Like Jackson’s original Lord of the Rings trilogy, Rings of Power is dense by design. It’s not trying to be a fantasy snack. It’s a feast. The kind where you miss half the flavors if you’re only focused on the main course.
On the third viewing, I’m catching things I never saw the first time: glances exchanged between characters that now feel heavy with implication, set pieces crammed with visual storytelling, lines of dialogue that echo the deeper mythology. It’s a world that rewards familiarity, and rewards loyalty.
They’re Building Drama from Footnotes
There’s another layer of appreciation that doesn’t always get enough credit. Let’s talk about the source material. The showrunners aren’t adapting a tidy trilogy. They’re working from The Silmarillion, the appendices of The Lord of the Rings, and scattered notes — Tolkien’s equivalent of an epic historical encyclopedia, complete with footnotes, contradictions, and leaps of centuries in a single line.
It’s not narrative. It’s a chronicle. And from that, they’ve had to extract character arcs, emotional logic, and actual television-worthy plot, all without breaking the canon. The fact that The Rings of Power has managed to compact timelines (sometimes drastically) while still delivering a coherent, emotionally resonant account of the forging of the rings — without violating the spirit of Tolkien’s work — is no small feat.
Frankly, it’s a miracle the show works at all. That it’s good? That it rewards rewatching? That it’s evolving toward what might be a genuinely gripping Season 3? Kudos where they’re due.
Season 3: A Turn in the Road
Here’s why I’m particularly excited about Season 3: there’s been a major shake-up behind the scenes. The writers’ room is almost entirely new.
Most of the writers from the first two seasons aren’t returning. That’s not necessarily a bad sign. In fact, I’d argue it’s a promising one. A fresh team brings fresh perspective, and for a story that’s about transformation, betrayal, and rising darkness, it might be just what the show needs to hit its stride.
Only a few names are sticking around (like Justin Doble, who’s been involved with some of the stronger episodes), while the rest of the writing team is new. The showrunners, Payne and McKay, are still at the helm, but it seems Amazon has heard the fans who wanted tighter storytelling, deeper stakes, and more focus on Tolkien’s mythic tone.
In other words, this isn’t just more of the same. It could be better.
The War Is Coming
Season 3 is expected to dive headfirst into the war between the Elves and Sauron, the real forging of the One Ring, and the fallout that reshapes Middle-earth forever. This is the part of the legendarium where things go from simmering to catastrophic.
And while I’m not expecting Peter Jackson-level battles just yet, I’m hopeful that this new writing team will bring sharper emotional stakes and cleaner storytelling arcs to the table.
We’ve already seen glimpses: Narsil is back (yes, that sword), the Nine are circling, and Sauron is no longer in shadow. This is the season where masks fall, and I, for one, will be watching closely. Probably more than once.
What It Means for Fantasy
The broader lesson? Fantasy that takes itself seriously, that leans into its own history, its lore, its emotional core, needs time. Not every story can be told in one season. Or even two.
And while the fandom might not be united on Rings of Power yet, I think we’re going to see some minds change with Season 3. The groundwork has been laid. The writers are new. The stakes are rising. And the magic, finally, is starting to feel dangerous again.
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