How Faithful is The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power to J.R.R. Tolkien’s Work?

Alexa Prime’s series, often criticized for its deviation from J.R.R. Tolkien’s original universe, largely stems from legal reasons. Amazon Studios failed to secure the necessary rights to use Tolkien's extensive sources, thus compelling the creation of nearly everything seen and done in the show.

Character Discrepancies and Legal Boundaries

Several characters in the show, such as Elrond, Galadriel, Gil-galad, Celebrimbor, and others, are loosely based on characters from Tolkien's works. However, the Amazon timeline diverges significantly from Tolkien’s and the characters' backgrounds are almost entirely fabricated for the show.

Despite some minor nods to the source material, much of what viewers see and experience is a product of fan fiction. The show's legal constraints prevent it from legally being taken as a serious adaptation, making it essentially a derivative work rather than a faithful retelling.

Timeline and Event Differences

Showrunners have implemented significant changes to Tolkien's timeline to make the narrative more engaging and story-driven. For instance, the Númenóreans returned to Middle-earth in the Second Age, but the exact years and events differ considerably from Tolkien's descriptions.

Tolkien’s Description of the Second Age

Tolkien’s Second Age lasted 3441 years, with no sense of urgency for the Elves to leave Middle-earth. By the year 1200, Númenóreans established permanent havens and cities, and they began conquering portions of Middle-earth by 1800. The Elven-smiths of Eregion began forging the Ring of Power around the year 1500, leading to the creation of the One Ring in 1600.

Key events include the destruction of Eregion, the rise of Sauron, and the eventual downfall of Númenor. These events, as detailed by Tolkien, provide a rich, historical basis to the Second Age, which the show significantly condenses and reimagines for narrative convenience.

Character Development and Contradictions

Several characters in The Rings of Power have significantly altered roles and backgrounds. Galadriel, for instance, is depicted as a warrior-despite Tolkien never explicitly stating so. Moreover, Galadriel’s journey to Valinor is inconsistent with Tolkien's descriptions, indicating the showrunners' adherence to the ‘Uzi Rule’-essentially filling in gaps based on the absence of denial rather than explicit instruction.

Notably, many characters and events in the show have little to no basis in Tolkien's works, making the series a derivative work of fan fiction rather than a direct adaptation. Examples include the introduction of the Harfoots, presumed ancestors of Hobbits, and the timeline of events, which diverge significantly from Tolkien's detailed accounts.

Conclusion

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, while heavily inspired by Tolkien's characters and setting, is a derivative work constrained by legal limitations. The show is forced to create much of its content from scratch, turning it into a product of fan fiction rather than a direct adaptation. While it shares some common ground with Tolkien's works, the significant changes, contradictions, and alterations make it difficult to view as a faithful representation of his universe.

Understanding the legal and creative constraints behind the show helps viewers navigate the differences between the two versions and enjoy the narrative as intended by the creators.