The Rings Of Power 'continues to impress' in a big, dense Season 3

According to IndieWire, Amazon's epic series The Rings of Power returned for its third season after facing various criticisms during its first two seasons. IndieWire reported that the record-breaking costs and lofty franchise pedigree set high expectations, and the series previously struggled to yield requisite viewership spikes and comparable cultural impact. Showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay created the series, which IndieWire described as an ambitious saga that was nonetheless made with too much deference to the past and too little innovation. Empire reported that The Rings of Power 'continues to impress' in a big, dense Season 3, while The Telegraph noted the show is great fun unless you are a Tolkien fan. IndieWire reported that the third season begins with a recap stating that five years have passed since the Elven city of Eregion fell, and Sauron controls more of Middle Earth than ever. Sauron is played by Charlie Vickers, who IndieWire noted is tasked with embodying transcendent menace as the Dark Lord tries to forge the one ring to rule them all. Celembrimbor, played by Charles Edwards, was the only Elf who knew how to forge it, and with Celembrimbor dead, Sauron grows more desperate. IndieWire reported that Sauron's army of orcs is tracking down the rest of the titular rings, which remain safe with the elves in Lindon and Rivendell, and with the dwarves in the mines of Khazad-dûm. Númenor features warring cousins Míriel, played by Cynthia Addai-Robinson, and Pharazôn, played by Trystan Gravelle. The desert empire of Rhûn features Ciarán Hinds as the Dark Wizard, while the man confirmed as Gandalf is played by Daniel Weyman. Prince Durin is played by Owain Arthur, Princess Disa by Sophia Nomvete, Celeborn is a new addition, Nori and Poppy are absent through seven episodes, Theo is played by Tyroe Muhafidin, and Arondir is played by Ismael Cruz Córdova. Forbes detailed the release schedule for new episodes on Prime Video, and Deadline featured red carpet photos of stars including Jamie Campbell Bower, Morfydd Clark, and Charlie Vickers. The story is part of a planned five-season arc based on appendices to The Lord of the Rings.