Trust Us: 'Rings of Power' is Appointment Viewing. Here's How to Watch It.
Light the beacons of Gondor and sound the horns of Rohan: Rings of Power is finally upon us. After hundreds of millions of dollars invested (Prime Video reportedly spent $465 million on Season One alone), countless Young Aragorn rumors, and interminable years of waiting, the latest on-screen installment in J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium has arrived. Whether you’re a diehard fan well-versed in the lore or a newbie to the wide and wild world of Middle-earth, Rings of Power is bound to be one of the biggest small-screen events of the year. With just the fourth episode out now, you've got plenty time to catch up. Here’s how to get on board.
When Does Rings of Power Premiere?
The eight-part series debuted on Thursday, September 1, with Episodes One and Two airing back to back. Now, episodes are rolling out on Fridays at midnight, meaning that you can enjoy each new installment with your morning tea and lembas bread. With eight episodes total, the Season One finale is set to air on October 14. Here at Esquire, we'll be recapping the series week to week, so check in here after your viewing wraps.
What is Rings of Power About?
This behemoth prequel to Lord of the Rings turns back the clock thousands of years to the Second Age, a time of wealth, war, and discovery. Of Middle-earth’s four ages, the Second Age was the longest and among the most eventful, containing such memorable events as the rise of Sauron, the forging of the Rings of Power, the fall of Númenor, and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Whether those words mean nothing or everything to you, it’s an action-packed story spanning many different landscapes, species, and centuries. There are some tantalizing mysteries to chew on, too, from a freaky sword that consumes human blood to the identity of a mysterious meteor man who's crash-landed from the sky. For the curious-minded, we've got plenty of theories in our weekly recaps.
You can also expect to encounter familiar faces like Galadriel and Elrond, along with some new characters created exclusively for the series. Esquire caught up with Ismael Cruz Córdova, one of the actors inhabiting a new character, who's making history as the first person of color to play an elf onscreen in a Tolkien project. He took us through everything that went into the role, from months of auditioning to daily martial arts training. “I knew that I would have the eyes of the world on me,” he said. “ I needed to be undeniable, and to be the most Elven elf that I could be. And I needed my soul to shine through, too.”
If the Season One price tag didn’t shock you, consider the fact that Amazon is projected to invest an astonishing $1 billion over the course of five confirmed seasons. We’re just getting started, everybody. Tune in for an enthralling thrill ride through one of fantasy’s most beloved universes, and have fun getting lost in Middle-earth.
You Might Also Like