This Rings of Power Scene Was So Bad, It Actually Became Iconic
The Rings of Power has received much praise for its stunning visuals and attention to detail in recreating the world of Tolkien.
Amazon has allegedly spent up to $462 million producing the show, with completely custom costumes, extravagant set pieces, and shooting much of the show on location in New Zealand. Yet one scene especially did not have quite the effect as intended. And fans have very much enjoyed sharing their own impression of it.
The scene in question features in episode 3: 'Adar', where Isildur's father Elendil (Lloyd Owen) mentions Númenor's 'Hall of Laws' to Galadriel (Morfydd Clark ). After clarifying it is a quarter of a day's ride away, Galadriel excitedly asks: "did you say ride."
What follows is a rather cheesy montage sequence, of the two galloping across grassy meadows and sandy beaches. Galadriel's green dress flows, an incredibly goofy grin on her face as it is all depicted in slow-motion to the show's trumpeting score. Within the context of the rest of the episode, the scene stands out awkwardly, making it clear that the producers may have missed the mark on the tone of the scene.
Naturally, fans of the series have pointed out this oddity on Reddit. Some are asking why the scene exists at all. Is it not odd that Galadriel is so excited to ride a horse; surely she has done so for a long time? Others' opinions describe the whole presentation as over-the-top, and the close-ups as off-putting. Many have joked the scene would fit nicely in some kind of perfume or toothpaste commercial.
Obviously, this one scene has become a joke among fans, with very few defending it for its attempt at a more fanciful tone for Galadriel. Although even some admit, it is a welcome change to see her differently than her angrier personality that she displays for much of the season.
The quality of this one scene, good or bad, may not matter anymore. It has become an entity of its own, evolving into memes, jokes, and differences of opinions based entirely on a single frame. Producers of the series will probably learn a lesson from this for future seasons, being a little less trigger-happy with any slo-mo visuals. But the memory of this one shot will still not be forgotten quickly by fans. It will likely grow to be just as iconic as the show itself.