10 Ways ‘The Rings of Power’ Differ from ‘The Lord of the Rings’ (& 5 Reasons It Excels the Movies)

The Rings of Power recently premiered its second season, and while initial reactions were positive, the overall consensus is that it hasn’t significantly addressed the issues from the first season and has introduced new problems. The viewership for the first three episodes of the second season is disappointing, which may signal a challenging future for the show. However, The Rings of Power hasn’t failed completely.

We’ve compared the show to Jackson’s films and found that while it excels in some areas, it falls short in others. Let’s take a closer look.

1. The timeline is hard to follow

The primary challenge for the series is that Tolkien never wrote a dedicated book about the Second Age, and the production does not have the rights to the book where it is most extensively covered. Consequently, the show struggles with canon accuracy. It compresses thousands of years into a much shorter timeframe, which makes sense for some aspects, especially regarding human characters, but can create confusion about certain storylines and their overall impact.

In contrast, The Lord of the Rings films cover a much shorter period, resulting in greater accuracy and less confusion. Unfortunately, there are numerous inaccuracies and confusing elements in the show, but this overview can only address so much.

2. Galadriel is worse

The first major criticism from fans is that the showrunners significantly altered Galadriel’s character. In the original trilogy, Galadriel is depicted as a wise, ethereal Elven leader with a serene and almost otherworldly presence—a beacon of benevolence and compassion with a matronly aura.

In The Rings of Power, however, Galadriel is portrayed as brash and impulsive, acting first and asking questions later. She lacks the wisdom and self-control seen in the films. Although she is described as “powerful” in the books, she was never depicted as a fierce warrior, making her role as the lead of the show questionable. Additionally, important aspects of her backstory, such as her marriage to Celeborn and her daughter Celebrían, are entirely omitted, leading to further dissatisfaction among fans. This brings us to…

3. What’s going on between Galadriel and Sauron??

In The Lord of the Rings, Galadriel and Sauron are portrayed as ancient and formidable adversaries, with Galadriel being one of the few beings in Middle-earth capable of actively resisting Sauron’s growing shadow. She stands as a key figure in the fight against him, deeply aware of the corrupting influence of power.

In contrast, The Rings of Power shows Sauron manipulating Galadriel, and their relationship is hinted to have a romantic dimension. The showrunners have confirmed that a special connection between Sauron and Galadriel exists in the second season. This portrayal diverges significantly from the original depiction and raises concerns about the show’s adherence to established lore.

4. Orcs are awful

Tolkien never settled on a definitive origin for orcs, often considering them as corrupted elves but grappling with questions about their origins, free will, and ultimate fate. In The Lord of the Rings, orcs are depicted as malevolent and cruel creatures, serving as the foot soldiers of Sauron and Saruman, driven by hatred, fear, and malice, and lacking moral values or compassion. Despite their chaotic nature, they are disciplined and organized under their dark masters.

In contrast, The Rings of Power portrays orcs as misunderstood beings with families who are reluctant to fight under Sauron’s leadership and harbor a deep resentment towards him. This portrayal has been criticized as an unwelcome departure from Tolkien’s established lore, with some fans feeling that the writers are needlessly reinventing core concepts and adding unwarranted complexity to the orcs’ characterization.

5. Forced diversity

Tolkien’s world was inherently diverse, featuring a rich selection of races, monsters, mythical beings, and gods, a diversity that was reflected in the original films. While The Rings of Power aims to introduce skin color diversity, only a few of the “diverse” characters have significant roles. The inclusion of black elves and black dwarves is not problematic, but the show’s approach—seemingly placing “one of each” in key scenes—can come across as superficial and insincere.

6. Isildur’s character is portrayed better (so far)

Isildur was never intended to be a caricatured villain who simply refuses to destroy the ring with a smug grin, as depicted in some portrayals. This characterization was not present in the original books. The Rings of Power seeks to address this by providing more context and depth to Isildur’s character. Although we know the outcome of his story, the show aims to explore and enrich the unexplored aspects of his journey, offering a more nuanced portrayal.

7. Sauron is more interesting

In The Lord of the Rings, Sauron is mainly portrayed as a distant, malevolent force rather than a physical character, which can make him seem less tangible as the ultimate antagonist. Consequently, the focus often shifts to Saruman and the orcs. In contrast, The Rings of Power provides a more comprehensive depiction of Sauron, showcasing several of his forms and identities, which enhances his character more effectively than the films did.

As a master of deception, Sauron in the show inflicts significant damage using only a fraction of his power, relying on cunning and manipulation. This portrayal of Sauron as the embodiment of corruption and deceit aligns well with his character and is, in my view, a more compelling representation.

8. Dwarven culture shines

In the movies, Dwarves are shown as a proud, resilient race with remarkable skills in mining, metalwork, and stonecraft. They are depicted as strong and stocky, with a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, wealth, and treasure, particularly gold and precious gems. While they often served as comic relief, The Hobbit addressed this to some extent. However, it’s The Rings of Power that truly explores their once-great civilization and showcases their exceptional skills in greater depth.

9. More locations, more stories

While The Lord of the Rings concentrates on a few central characters and key locations, The Rings of Power has the opportunity to explore much of the world over its planned five seasons. The films, constrained by time and the need to omit certain plot points and locations, now seem limited compared to the rich diversity presented in the series. The TV format allows The Rings of Power to delve into and develop stories with greater depth and breadth.

10. Elrond is kind

In The Lord of the Rings, Elrond is portrayed as stern and reserved, seldom smiling or expressing satisfaction with others or their achievements. His demeanor is graceful and dignified, reflecting his wisdom and experience. A notable divergence from the lore and films is that Elrond is shown lying and manipulating Arwen to keep her from Aragorn, whereas in reality, he had no objections to their marriage, provided Aragorn fulfilled his destiny as king. The Rings of Power presents a kinder, more compassionate Elrond, aligning more closely with the lore, though his tendency toward criticism remains a key character trait.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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