It is not the first time that at 3DJuegos we have mentioned that The Rings of Power is a highly recommended fantasy series. However, as an adaptation of Tolkien and his mythology, it leaves much to be desired. This becomes especially evident for fans who have waited so long to see on screen the recreation of one of the most spectacular and dramatic battles that take place in Middle-earth: the siege and sacking of Eregion. Expectations were high, but unfortunately, the result has been once again disappointing, turning what should have been a titanic confrontation into a simple skirmish.
The conflict at Eregion in Tolkien’s legendarium
To understand the magnitude of the battle at Eregion, it is important to delve into the context of Tolkien’s legendarium. Eregion, also known as Hollin, was a realm of elves founded by Celebrimbor, a renowned elven smith and forger of the Rings of Power, a key event in Sauron’s rise to power, who was determined to seize the rings to dominate the free peoples of Middle-earth.
Sauron during the Siege of Eregion
The story of the siege of Eregion is, essentially, a tale of betrayal and desperation. Sauron, disguised as Annatar, the Lord of Gifts, deceived the elves into allowing him to participate in the creation of the rings. However, his true goal was to sow discord and subjugate the peoples of Middle-earth. When Sauron’s identity is finally revealed, he attacks Eregion with overwhelming force, unleashing unimaginable chaos.
The siege of Eregion was characterized not only by its scale and cruelty but also by the atrocious acts that were committed. For example, Sauron uses the corpse of Celebrimbor as a banner to inspire his troops, a grim detail that highlights the brutality of the conflict. This image of horror is crucial for understanding the nature of the confrontation and the emotional cost it had for the elves and Middle-earth as a whole. None of that is present in its adaptation within The Rings of Power.
Early and promising moments of the Siege of Eregion in The Rings of Power
The cruelty of the siege of Eregion
The cruelty of the siege of Eregion is manifested in various ways. Sauron not only seeks to conquer the city; his goal is to crush the spirit of resistance of the elves. The battle is marked by betrayals, the defenders’ desperation, and the use of brutal tactics that reflect Sauron’s dark character. The elves, led by Celebrimbor and his allies, try to resist the assault, but the numerical superiority and cunning of Sauron’s forces make victory unattainable.
The series loses sight of the context and tragedy of the conflict, opting for a more superficial representation
Tolkien’s narrative portrays Eregion as a place of great beauty and culture, but also of suffering. The fall of the city is a turning point in the history of Middle-earth, marking the beginning of an era of darkness. The atrocities committed during the siege are not just acts of war; they are symbols of the struggle between light and darkness, and the inevitable corruption that Sauron brings with him. However, the series loses sight of the context and tragedy of the conflict, opting for a more superficial representation that fails to capture the essence of what Tolkien intended.
The promise of a grand scale that fades
Initially, The Rings of Power seems to promise a colossal scale for its season finale, with only one episode remaining. The images of Sauron’s forces surrounding Eregion and the elves preparing for battle create expectations of an epic spectacle. However, as the episode progresses, the confrontation is drastically reduced. What starts as a pitched battle soon turns into a cavalry charge which, by the time it reaches its climax, becomes practically a hand-to-hand combat at the foot of the walls.
The siege of Eregion is presented as a minor event, its lack of development leaving viewers feeling disappointed
This reductionist approach does not do justice to the magnitude of the event narrated in Professor Tolkien’s original texts. Instead of a battle that captures the essence of the conflict, what we have is almost a simple skirmish. The result is that characters like Elrond, who shines as a protagonist, lack a real impact. His heroism is diluted in a series of moments that fail to reflect the importance of this battle for the power balance of Middle-earth. The lack of a solid narrative, which clearly articulates the significance of these moments in the chronology, and an emotional context for the confrontation translates into a confusing and unsatisfactory experience.
The Battle of Helm’s Deep in The Two Towers
Comparisons with the Battle of Helm’s Deep
One of the most evident problems with this adaptation is its attempt to force aesthetic similarities with the spectacular Battle of Helm’s Deep in Peter Jackson’s The Two Towers. The Amazon series seems determined to replicate the grandeur and drama of that iconic battle, but in the process, it loses its own identity. In its desire to evoke the same sense of epicness, the series not only falls short but also exposes its lack of scale and poor narrative pulse.
Elrond during the Battle of Eregion
The Battle of Helm’s Deep is remembered not only for its visual spectacle but also for its emotional tension, character development, and narrative construction, a climax befitting the circumstances, a moment that defines its protagonists and leaves an indelible mark on viewers. In contrast, the siege of Eregion is presented as a minor event, its lack of development leaving viewers feeling disappointed.
Estuche Tolkien (El Hobbit + El Señor de los Anillos) NE (Biblioteca J. R. R. Tolkien)
* Algún precio puede haber cambiado desde la última revisión
It is a shame that such an anticipated moment as this might disappoint so many fans of Tolkien’s original work, as well as fans of The Rings of Power. As we approach the end of this second season, the absence of a climax worthy of the promised one becomes more palpable. The Rings of Power seems to always have the potential to offer something spectacular within the vast universe created by Tolkien, but often it seems to fall short as another attempt to capitalize on nostalgia for past stories, without really bringing something new or exciting. The representation of the siege of Eregion is a clear example of how the series falls short in its attempt to adapt Tolkien’s masterpiece, to contextualize its events on a grand scale, or to generate dramatic tension for its story.
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