Ring Of Powers Season 2 Is coming

In 10 days, the second season of Rings of Power is FINALLY being released, so let’s talk a bit about fantasy.

In its introductory, first season, ROP laid all the foundations needed to—if properly managed—evolve into an epic series. I won’t lie, there were quite a few things that irked me at first, and I was more lukewarm towards it. But after the second rewatch, during which I tried to separate it from the cinematic epic, the series has all the essential ingredients to transform into an equally epic, though this time television-based, saga.

Beyond the complaints—most of which come from people whose only connection to Tolkien's work is through the movies (which also "altered" the source material)—this is a series INSPIRED by the Professor's work. Its only real enemy is the wannabe geeks with their review bombing, who find everything distasteful and compete in misery with the Star Wars fandom. I hope at least they continue to hate-watch the series, so Amazon makes money and the rest of us can enjoy a multi-year epic.

So far so good. ROP on one side, House of the Dragon on the other, a Harry Potter series crawling along at a snail's pace, a respectable Wheel of Time fighting its own battle with the giants, releasing seasons whenever it remembers, and a Witcher that Netflix relied solely on Cavill’s chiseled jawline for, depriving us of an EPIC series that could have been made with a bit more budget and a lot more respect for the fantastic source material.

Nevertheless, the (high/epic) fantasy genre remains stagnant on television. And I specify the small screen because I consider it the ideal medium to develop it, given the extensive lore, even though Jackson showed that the opposite can happen under the right conditions.

But there isn’t only the Professor, Martin—or Rowling. Give a chance to other franchises that have been successful among book lovers.

And I’ll present three examples.

My main example, which will serve as the backbone of my argument, is His Dark Materials. A true blueprint for how to adapt a book series to television while maintaining respect for the source material. Cast, soundtrack, direction, atmosphere, everything is beautiful. And all this despite having to deal with the fiasco of The Golden Compass, a movie which, considering its incredible cast, proved that clothes don’t make the man. Of course, to be fair, the fools at New Line Cinema didn’t allow Weitz to work on the film the way he wanted, but it is what it is.

Let’s move on to the next example, which, along with the one that follows, comes in the form of a complaint.

WHY DON’T WE HAVE A SERIES BASED ON THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA YET?

Cinematically it didn’t work out, despite the commendable first film . At some point, Netflix acquired the rights, there were rumors of both movies and a series, and at one point, the amazing Greta Gerwig was said to be involved, but so far nothing. Yes, the books have their issues—they are literature from the 50s after all—but it’s a beautiful lore that, if entrusted to people with vision, would result in something, at the very least, wholesome.

And third and last. ERAGON, PEOPLE. Who doesn’t love this franchise? The dream of seeing the lore visualized can’t end with the cinematic tragedy of 2006. Especially now, with HOTD and the dragon craze, it’s perfect for milking. JUST DO IT. AND DO IT WELL THIS TIME.