We Are Still Here
Looking back at our work during Season 2 of The Rings of Power, and looking forward.
When I first started this blog back in February of 2023, I had the idea of writing for it once every other week; among other things, at the time I also was trying to maintain another blog devoted to history and culture, “The Theresianum.” That other blog soon went by the wayside, as did my resolution to write here every other week; life responsibilities, my Masters starting up in July, and real-life issues all got in the way. Eventually, I was lucky if I was able to commit to writing twice a month for Tales, as you all can attest, my email subscribers. And old habits die hard, even as the new season of The Rings of Power drew nearer. I was afraid I might not be able to commit to writing full essays for the premiere and each new episode.
Well, I'm happy to say those fears proved groundless, and for eight weeks (so starting two weeks before the premiere) I was able to put out one quality, fairly lengthy essay a week. It was a welcome surprise for me.
Fire and Blood
There was a promise in the final scene of Season 1 of House of the Dragon, as Rhaenyra Targaryen’s son was killed by his uncle’s dragon during a diplomatic mission. As the show’s source mat…
The Deep Breath Before the Plunge
Like Pippin and Gandalf (Pippin and Beregond in the book) we are all waiting with bated breaths for S…
Golden Leaves, Black Slime, and Ivory Robes
I had thought of starting with something eloquent and flowery and profound, as is sometimes my habit whe…
The Deep Magic from the Dawn of Time
I admit that I’m probably misusing the concept of the Deep Magic, which C.S. Lewis gave us in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and then subsequently never really brought up …
The Rogue Prince[s]
![The Rogue Prince[s]](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0Mw1!,w_1300,h_650,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fda81a612-163b-4d22-8aa4-245e36d639bb_3840x1600.jpeg)
Author’s Note: I try to get out my essays on the current Rings of Power episode by Sunday, Monday at the latest. This time, alas, I failed, thanks to a nasty case of ADHD-induced brain block. But at least I didn't fail to produce and publish the essay before the next episode aired, albeit a bit late. I hope you'll…
Thunderheads
“Black clouds forming over white towers.” That’s how Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker) described some of the prophetic visions that his …
The Sun Yet Shines
“The night would swallow everything...and in the end the last little flame would flicker out, leaving no more than a wisp of gray smoke to curl away unseen...But...the final end would not be darkness. Somewhere, far …
It was tiring, and sometimes (especially for Episode 5) it got difficult. But it was worth it. It was a testament to how much there was to discuss in each episode this season that I could produce so much content each week. I loved doing it, and I am grateful for everyone who has read my essays and engaged with me.
While my release schedule might slow down a bit in the weeks ahead, I promise that I won't stop. We are due a Season 2 retrospective at some point. I have much to say about Galadriel's arc this season, and Elrond's, that has been alluded to in some of these past essays but could be expanded upon; many of the actors and creatives have given many interviews that I will be compiling, as I've done the weekend of SDCC and the world premiere in London; and of course, Tolkien's world is big and vast, and I'll be continuing to explore other aspects of it independent of Rings of Power. I look forward to doing so, and I am grateful for everyone who is willing to accompany me; may our numbers increase and may I always be worthy of your trust.
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