Rings of Power Faces Criticism for Lore Changes and Timeline Condensation

Fans and critics express concern over the show's deviation from Tolkien's original lore and compressed timeline in Season 2.

The Rings of Power has altered the function and portrayal of the palantíri, deviating from their original purpose as communication devices in Tolkien's lore.
The show's timeline condenses millennia of Middle-earth's Second Age events into a single human generation, affecting the depth of character and cultural development.
Season 2, Episode 5 reveals that the Three Elven Rings and Seven Dwarven Rings are already forged, with only the Nine Rings for Mortal Men and the One Ring remaining.
Critics argue that the rushed narrative undermines the tragic fall of Númenor, skipping essential character arcs and the gradual corruption depicted in the source material.
The showrunners' approach contrasts with other epic series like Foundation, which effectively spans centuries while maintaining character continuity and thematic depth.