I’ve started rewatching The Rings of Power in preparation for the second season, and just 2 episodes in I’m reminded how wonderful it is. I also can’t forget how deranged the discourse over this show was when it came out, Here’s famously level-headed Elon Musk said about it after 2 episodes:

Elon Musk has criticized Amazon Prime Video’s billion-dollar fantasy series The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, tweeting that late author J.R.R. Tolkien is “turning in his grave.”

Expanding on why he didn’t like the show, Musk tweeted that “almost every male character so far is a coward, a jerk or both,” adding that “only Galadriel is brave, smart and nice.”

I thought this was an insane take at the time, and watching the show again today, it’s even more disconnected from reality (Elrond/Durin bromance is pure joy, as one of several counter examples form the first 2 episodes alone). Although certain segments of the internet decide to be irrationally enraged at some specific show all the time, so I should be used to it by now.

Anyway, here’s the season 2 trailer which looks great, and if you’re at all a Lord of the Rings fan who hasn’t seen the show yet, I highly recommend it.