The embargo on social media first impressions has lifted. So, without further ado, here’s what various media folk are saying about the first two episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

As the long awaited release of Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power approaches, the final trailer has been released. Some fans have been lucky enough to see episodes one and two already, at premiere events around the world (and some will watch them in NYC tonight!) Some fans have snagged the very limited tickets to see those episodes screen in cinemas on August 31st. And for the rest, sometime on Sept 1st or 2nd (depending on your time zone), those first two episodes will be available on Prime Video.

But for now, here’s one more official trailer:

And here’s the official press release that goes with it:

The new two-minute-and-36-second trailer highlights the epic expanse of Middle-earth in its Second Age, and reveals how Tolkien’s legendary and beloved characters will come together against all odds and across great distances to guard against the feared reemergence of evil to Middle-earth. Fates collide and disparate characters are tested in the face of impending evil in this glimpse into the long-awaited new series. 

The trailer features key cast members Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), Elrond (Robert Aramayo), High King Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker), and Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards); Harfoots Elanor “Nori” Brandyfoot (Markella Kavenagh) and Largo Brandyfoot (Dylan Smith); The Stranger (Daniel Weyman); Númenóreans Isildur (Maxim Baldry), Eärien (Ema Horvath), Elendil (Lloyd Owen), Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle), and Queen Regent Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson); Dwarves King Durin III (Peter Mullan), Prince Durin IV (Owain Arthur), and Princess Disa (Sophia Nomvete); Southlanders Halbrand (Charlie Vickers); Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi); and Silvan-elf Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova). 

The first two episodes of the multi-season drama will launch on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide on Friday, September 1-2 (time zone dependent), with new episodes available weekly.

Have you wondered what a supercut of all the trailer, teaser and ad spot footage that Amazon Studios has released for The Rings of Power would look like?

Wonder no more!

TORn Discord (you should totally come and join us) members WheatBix and DrNosy have been busily slicing and dicing up all the footage and reassembling into a chronological order order based on spy reports, rumours and a bit of theory-crafting and dramatic flair.

Although these clips are sequenced by fans, we believe that they contain significant spoilers. We have arranged footage released by Amazon Studios in a sequence that we believe reflects how season 01 of how The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will unravel.

They’re not kidding about potential spoilers. This super-cut includes all footage available up until August 20, 2022.

Disclaimer: Amazon Studios and their subsidiaries own all footage and audio.

The countdown is on for the premiere of The Rings of Power at the Colegio de San Ignacio de Loyola Vizcaínas in Mexico City and fans are already queueing outside.

The Mexico City Rings of Power premiere. Source: @Ingravitie.

Looks pretty sweet inside, too!

Interior setup for The Mexico City Rings of Power premiere. Source: Terra-média Brasil.

We were delighted to be able to hook many up with tickets to the event.

We’re hoping that, afterwards, some will be able to pop onto our Discord (which has just hit 3,000 members!) and give us some details about the experience.

And it looks like a few of the cast are set to be in attendance, too.

Update 19/08: I’m told that the above video is from San Diego Comic-Con. My bad! Still very cool though, and ta for the heads-up!

It appears that some, uh, overly enterprising leakers thought they could make a quick buck by posting the full OST of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power to YouTube.

It was quickly caught and deleted. But, in the meantime, we were able discover a little over half of the track titles — and they provide interesting hints of what’s soon to come. Of the 37 tracks on the OST, the title theme is composed by Howard Shore, while the other 36 are by Bear McCreary.

Below are the titles of the first 19:

  • 01. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Main Title
  • 02. Galadriel
  • 03. Khazad-dûm
  • 04. Nori Brandyfoot
  • 05. The Stranger
  • 06. Númenor
  • 07. Sauron
  • 08. Valinor
  • 09. In the Beginning
  • 10. Elrond Half-elven
  • 11. Durin IV
  • 12. Harfoot Life
  • 13. Bronwyn and Arondir
  • 14. Halbrand
  • 15. The Boat
  • 16. Sundering Seas
  • 17. Nobody Goes Off Trail
  • 18. Elendil and Isildur
  • 19. White Leaves

We can also now add the remaining track titles

  • 20. The Secrets of the Mountain
  • 21. Nolwa Mahtar
  • 22. Nampat
  • 23. A Plea to the Rocks
  • 24. This Wandering Day
  • 25. Scherzo for Violin and Swords
  • 26. Sailing into the Dawn
  • 27. For the Southlands
  • 28. Cavalry
  • 29. Water and Flame
  • 30. In the Mines
  • 31. The Veil of Smoke
  • 32. The Mystics
  • 33. Perilous Whisperings
  • 34. The Broken Line
  • 35. Wise One
  • 36. True Creation Requires Sacrifice
  • 37. Where the Shadows Lie

TORn does not condone piracy. Remember that the official release is around the corner, folks. You’ll very soon be able to stream the music to your heart’s delight via your favourite service, or even pick up a copy on physical media.

We are finally going back to Middle-earth and we get to see so many more places than we’ve ever been able to visit before on Tolkien’s map.

Juan Antonio ‘J.A.’ Bayona (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)

Amazon Prime has finally released the full airing schedule, as shown below. Start marking your calendars to remind you when you can watch the show.

The first two episodes will drop together, and these are the episodes directed by J.A. Bayona. Because they drop together, it is important to note that the first episode is entitled “Shadow of the Past” so that you start off with the correct episode. These will become available on Amazon Prime on Thursday, September 1 starting at 6 pm PT, 9 pm ET and 2 am UK time early Friday, September 2. You will want to sync this info up with your own time zone.

The remaining episodes will drop once a week afterward, starting with Episode 3 on Thursday, September 8 at 9 pm PT, Midnight ET, and 5 am UK time on Friday, September 9, and continue on that same schedule. The 8th episode finale will air on Thursday, October 13 at 9 pm PT, Midnight ET and 5 am UK Time on Friday, October 14. The full schedule is posted below!

Global release occurs on either September 1, 2022 or September 2, 2022 depending on your location

  • The first TWO episodes will debut together on release night.
  • Release night timing is the following: September 1, 2022 at 6 PM PT which is 2 AM UK Time on September 2, 2022.
  • Both Episode 1 and 2 will be available immidiately. Amazon Studios suggests you ensure you first choose Episode 1 titled “SHADOW OF THE PAST” for the best viewing experience. Don’t choose the second episode first by accident!
  • Episodes 3 to 8 will be singular weekly releases. That is, one episode per week. These episodes will air at 9 PM PT each Thursday. This corresponds to 5 AM UK Time Friday.

The week-by-week Rings of Power schedule

Week 1: Episode 1+2

Episode 1+2 will be available at 6 PM PT THURSDAY NIGHT on September 1, 2022. This is equal to 2 AM UK Time on FRIDAY MORNING, September 2, 2022.

Other location conversions:

Auckland: 1.00pm Friday; Sydney: 11.00am Friday; Tokyo: 10.00am Friday; Singapore: 9.00am Friday; Mumbai: 6.30am Friday; Cairo/Paris: 3.00am Friday; London: 2.00am Friday; Rio de Janeiro: 10.00pm Thursday; New York: 9.00pm Thursday; Chicago: 8.00pm Thursday.

Week 2: Episode 3

Episode 3 will be available at 9 PM PT THURSDAY NIGHT on September 8, 2022. This is equal to 5 AM UK Time on FRIDAY MORNING, September 9, 2022.

Other location conversions:

Auckland: 4.00pm Friday; Sydney: 2.00pm Friday; Tokyo: 1.00pm Friday; Singapore: 12.00 NOON Friday; Mumbai: 9.30am Friday; Cairo/Paris: 6.00am Friday; London: 5.00am Friday; Rio de Janeiro: 1.00am Friday; New York: 12.00 MIDNIGHT Friday; Chicago: 11.00pm Thursday.

Week 3: Episode 4

Episode 4 will be available at 9 PM PT THURSDAY NIGHT on September 15, 2022. This is equal to 5 AM UK Time FRIDAY MORNING, September 16, 2022.

Other location conversions:

Auckland: 4.00pm Friday; Sydney: 2.00pm Friday; Tokyo: 1.00pm Friday; Singapore: 12.00 NOON Friday; Mumbai: 9.30am Friday; Cairo/Paris: 6.00am Friday; London: 5.00am Friday; Rio de Janeiro: 1.00am Friday; New York: 12.00 MIDNIGHT Friday; Chicago: 11.00pm Thursday.

Week 4: Episode 5

Episode 5 will be available at 9 PM PT THURSDAY NIGHT on September 22, 2022. This is equal to 5 AM UK Time FRIDAY MORNING, September 23, 2022.

Other location conversions:

Auckland: 4.00pm Friday; Sydney: 2.00pm Friday; Tokyo: 1.00pm Friday; Singapore: 12.00 NOON Friday; Mumbai: 9.30am Friday; Cairo/Paris: 6.00am Friday; London: 5.00am Friday; Rio de Janeiro: 1.00am Friday; New York: 12.00 MIDNIGHT Friday; Chicago: 11.00pm Thursday.

Week 5: Episode 6

Episode 6 will be available at 9 PM PT THURSDAY NIGHT on September 29, 2022. This is equal to 5 AM UK Time FRIDAY MORNING, September 30, 2022.

Other location conversions:

Auckland: 4.00pm Friday; Sydney: 2.00pm Friday; Tokyo: 1.00pm Friday; Singapore: 12.00 NOON Friday; Mumbai: 9.30am Friday; Cairo/Paris: 6.00am Friday; London: 5.00am Friday; Rio de Janeiro: 1.00am Friday; New York: 12.00 MIDNIGHT Friday; Chicago: 11.00pm Thursday.

Week 6: Episode 7

Episode 7 will be available at 9 PM PT THURSDAY NIGHT on October 6, 2022. This is equal to 5 AM UK Time FRIDAY MORNING, October 7th, 2022.

Other location conversions:

Auckland: 4.00pm Friday; Sydney: 2.00pm Friday; Tokyo: 1.00pm Friday; Singapore: 12.00 NOON Friday; Mumbai: 9.30am Friday; Cairo/Paris: 6.00am Friday; London: 5.00am Friday; Rio de Janeiro: 1.00am Friday; New York: 12.00 MIDNIGHT Friday; Chicago: 11.00pm Thursday.

Week 7: Episode 8

Episode 8 will be available at 9 PM PT THURSDAY NIGHT on October 13, 2022. This is equal to 5 AM UK Time FRIDAY MORNING, October 14th, 2022.

Other location conversions:

Auckland: 4.00pm Friday; Sydney: 2.00pm Friday; Tokyo: 1.00pm Friday; Singapore: 12.00 NOON Friday; Mumbai: 9.30am Friday; Cairo/Paris: 6.00am Friday; London: 5.00am Friday; Rio de Janeiro: 1.00am Friday; New York: 12.00 MIDNIGHT Friday; Chicago: 11.00pm Thursday.

Viewing plans

With this schedule, you should be able to plan a Viewing Party or two, for Debut night and Finale night, if not all 7 weeks. If you choose to do so, please do share in the fun with our Twitter/Facebook/Discord social channel of choice and let us know your thoughts. There will also be some live posting, especially in our Discord on show nights, so come play along during the show, or directly afterward for a discussion on what you have just seen.