Challenging the Top 2 Moments: The Rings of Power's Balrog Tease
Will The Rings Of Power's S2 teases live up to the franchise's top moments? Discover the significance of the Balrog and its impact on the series
Article Overview
The Balrog's appearance in The Rings of Power season 2 may struggle to surpass memorable moments from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, creating a challenge for the show.
Including the Balrog is crucial for The Rings of Power as it holds great significance in the history and world-building of Middle-earth. The presence of the Balrog during the sequence has the potential to create a visually breathtaking and emotionally resonant experience, especially when considering the compelling characters of Durin IV and Elrond in the show.
The second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is anticipated to feature the Balrog, but it may struggle to surpass two other significant events in the franchise. In the first season, one of the main storylines revolved around Durin IV and Elrond. Elrond, in his quest to preserve the light of the Elves and form an alliance with the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm, discovered that Mithril, a valuable substance found deep beneath the Misty Mountains, could assist them. This set the stage for the continuation of the story in the second season.
However, those familiar with the history of Middle-earth are aware of the specific peril that lies beneath Moria: the Balrog from The Lord of the Rings. This ancient creature, known as Durin's Bane, caused great destruction to the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm. As a prequel to The Lord of the Rings, the inclusion of the Balrog in The Rings of Power's future seasons brings a sense of ominous apprehension. Unfortunately, the challenge lies in living up to the expectations set by two significant moments from the Middle-earth franchise.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
The Rings Of Power’s Balrog Tease Is Unlikely To Top 2 Franchise Moments
While the anticipation of witnessing Khazad-dûm's annihilation by the Balrog is undeniably alluring, it may inadvertently fall short due to two distinct instances - one from The Lord of the Rings films and the other from The Hobbit trilogy. Commencing with the latter, the standout moment in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was Smaug the Dragon's devastation of Erebor. The notion of a colossal, fire-breathing creature assaulting a Dwarven settlement, resulting in utter desolation, has already been portrayed through Smaug's sequence in The Hobbit. Consequently, a similar occurrence featuring the Balrog and Khazad-dûm in The Rings of Power could potentially feel somewhat unoriginal.
Another moment that could overshadow The Rings of Power's Balrog scenes is discovered in the opening scene of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. After Gandalf's supposed demise at the hands of the Balrog in the previous film, Two Towers begins with an incredible action sequence where the wizard confronts the creature. This particular scene stands out as one of the finest in the entire franchise, setting a remarkably high standard for any subsequent face-offs with the Balrog. Unfortunately, this challenge falls upon The Rings of Power season 2, and it remains uncertain whether the Amazon show will successfully rise to the occasion.
Why The Rings Of Power’s Balrog Is Still Important
It is crucial for The Rings of Power to find a way to include the Balrog in a fresh, original, unique, and exciting manner. This is because the destruction of Khazad-dûm by the Balrog is a significant part of Middle-earth's extensive history, particularly concerning the Dwarves. The absence of Dwarves in Moria is a key element in both The Hobbit - where Thorin and his grandfather attempted to reclaim Moria before Erebor - and The Lord of the Rings, specifically The Fellowship of the Ring.
The importance of the event in Middle-earth's history necessitates The Rings of Power to prominently feature it. While it may not surpass the two previously mentioned moments, the sequence will undoubtedly captivate visually, drawing from the impressive visuals of The Rings of Power season 1. Additionally, on an emotional level, it will resonate deeply as it involves Durin IV and Elrond, two of the show's most exceptional characters. Therefore, The Rings of Power must capitalize on its teasing of the Balrog, as it not only creates a compelling conclusion for one of its storylines but also holds significance in shaping the world of Middle-earth.
Editor's P/S
As a passionate fan of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit franchises, I approach the inclusion of the Balrog in the upcoming season of The Rings of Power with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. On the one hand, the Balrog is an iconic creature steeped in the rich lore of Middle-earth, and its appearance in the series holds the potential to deliver a truly epic and memorable moment. The Balrog's significance in the history and world-building of Middle-earth cannot be overstated, and its presence in the show could provide a visually stunning and emotionally resonant experience, especially considering the compelling characters of Durin IV and Elrond.
On the other hand, I am concerned that the Balrog's appearance may struggle to live up to the franchise's top moments, particularly the devastation of Erebor by Smaug the Dragon in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and Gandalf's confrontation with the Balrog in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Both of these scenes are considered standout moments in their respective trilogies, and it will be a challenge for The Rings of Power to surpass or even match their impact. To avoid falling short, the showrunners will need to find a fresh and original way to present the Balrog and its destructive capabilities, while also respecting the established lore and mythology of Middle-earth.
