Can ‘The Rings of Power’ Finally Win Over Critics and Fans at Once? Third Season First Reactions Say Yes

For a show with a budget measured in the hundreds of millions, ‘The Rings of Power’ has spent much of its life on trial. The first season earned an 83% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes but only a 38% audience score, in part because of a review-bombing campaign that led Amazon to suspend reviews on its website. The gap between what critics saw and what viewers felt became part of the show’s identity.

The second season narrowed that divide. Its first Rotten Tomatoes numbers were 92% from critics and about 69% from the audience, and reviewers praised improved pacing, stakes and visuals. But audiences did not necessarily follow, and Luminate reported that the season’s viewership over its first 12 weeks was down 60% from the first season in total minutes watched.

That is the backdrop for the first reactions to the third season, which began circulating on October 27 and are now being gathered in roundups like the one from Screen Rant. The responses are glowing. One critic said the first 2 episodes are bangers and that the series is getting better and better, another said the start of the season is not only some of the series’ best work but television’s best, and a third said it is just as breathtaking and captivating as previous seasons.

The first reactions to The Lord of the Rings: #TheRingsOfPower season 3 have arrived: 💬: "The first 2 episodes are bangers and this series is getting better and better as it goes on." 💬: "The start of this season is not only some of the series’ best work, but TV’s best." 💬: "Just as breathtaking and captivating as its previous seasons." Read More: https://t.co/JsIjZSzat4

— ScreenRant (@screenrant) October 28, 2026

The single element reactions return to most is Charlie Vickers. For the first time, Sauron no longer has to hide behind the personas of Halbrand or Annatar, and critics say Vickers steals the show as the Dark Lord at almost the height of his powers. That pays off a storyline that has been building since the first season.

[UPDATE] The Rings of Power Season 3 initial reactions are now out! "The first episode of #TheRingsofPower season 3 is epic in every sense of the word. Charlie Vickers steals the show as Sauron, almost at the height of his powers, relishing in every villainous smirk. The scale and stakes already have me thinking this could be the best season yet." – GamesRadar+’s Fay Watson

— Fellowship of Fans 💍 (@FellowshipFans) October 28, 2026

Another recurring highlight is Marnûkh, played by Adam Young, an orc who has defected from Sauron’s army and wants to help Galadriel in the war. The increased scale of the season is also singled out. Together, those 3 elements suggest the show has found a more confident center.

The first episode of #TheRingsofPower season 3 is epic in every sense of the world. Charlie Vickers steals the show as Sauron, almost at the height of his powers, relishing in every villainous smirk. The scale and stakes already have me thinking this could be the best season yet https://t.co/rtMrPR36sf

— Fay Watson (@FayAnnaWatson) October 27, 2026

The most important comment may be about speed. Reactions say the season grabs viewers right away, addressing the slower pacing that earlier reviews criticized. Because critics saw only 2 episodes, half of the 4-episode premiere, the implication is that action begins before the third or fourth hour.

I’ve seen the first couple episodes of #TheRingsOfPowerS3 and no spoilers, but the first 2 episodes are bangers and this series is getting better and better as it goes on. Charlie Vickers as Sauron is a highlight, he just oozes evil. https://t.co/g5tDlekl15

— Chris Killian (@chriskillian) October 27, 2026

The new season jumps forward 5 years to the height of the War of the Elves and Sauron, as the Dark Lord races to forge the One Ring. That structure should raise the stakes and reduce the time spent on setup. Empire has called it the showrunners’ darkest season yet.

The story is also pulling together storylines that had been spread across the map. In Númenor, Pharazôn has tightened his grip on power while Míriel and Elendil have become increasingly vulnerable. In Khazad-dûm, Durin IV inherits a kingdom changed by the Balrog and the death of his father.

Jamie Campbell Bower joins as Celeborn, Galadriel’s husband, as a series regular. Eddie Marsan appears as Thrain and Andrew Richardson as Anarion. Prime Video will release the first 4 episodes on November 11, followed by 2 on November 18 and 2 on November 25.

First reactions rarely tell the whole story. They tend to skew positive, and the people sharing them were chosen for screenings or attended fan events. Some critics reportedly have all 8 episodes but remain under embargo, so full reviews will arrive closer to the premiere.

It will also take more than critical praise to change the show’s commercial picture. A simultaneous win across critics and general audiences has eluded the series so far, and the viewership drop is a reminder that goodwill has to translate into numbers. Amazon has said it expects the show to eventually catch up.

This season, One Ring to rule them all. Watch the official trailer now, then witness Season 3 beginning November 11. https://t.co/YjH5I0bCEu

— The Lord of the Rings (@TheRingsofPower) October 21, 2026

Still, the early buzz points to a series that has absorbed its lessons. If the next 6 episodes keep up the energy of the first 2, the show could finally reconcile the critics and fans who have argued about it for years. That would be the biggest plot twist of all.

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