In its second season, The Rings of Power introduces changes to the history of Khazad-dûm that defy Tolkien’s chronology.

The Rings of Power culminated in its second season in a climax that left no fan indifferent. At the center of the plot, the discovery and exploitation of mithril by the dwarves of Khazad-dûm promised to make this city the richest in Middle-earth. However, Durin III’s greedy impulse, egged on by one of the Seven Rings of the Dwarves, precipitated a catastrophe: the awakening of the Balrog, known as Durin’s Scourge.

A chronology problem

In JRR Tolkien’s imagination, the fall of Khazad-dûm is an event that occurs much later, particularly in the Third Age, whereas the series chooses to advance this cataclysm to the end of the Second Age. This alteration not only accelerates the destruction of the city but introduces a significant inconsistency: the Balrog, whose appearance in the original story does not occur until nearly two millennia after the discovery of mithril.

Over the course of the series, we are introduced to Khazad-dûm at its peak, just as mithril begins to be mined. This precious metal, destined to forge artifacts of immense power and beauty, should have ensured a period of splendor and wealth for the dwarves. On the other hand, the accelerated pace of the narrative leaves no room for this development. Durin III’s greed leads him to delve too deep into the mines too quickly, awakening the fearsome Balrog who ends up driving the dwarves from their ancestral home.

The aftermath of an unleashed Balrog

During the serieswe see Durin III, a character whose ambition takes him toa unbridled pursuit of wealth through mithril, a central element of the plot. This representation deviates from original chronology from Tolkien, where several Durins rule and prosper before the disaster. In contrast, The Rings of Power concentrates events from multiple eras into a single dramatic turning point, which may be confusing for fans of Tolkien’s mythology. This compression of history changes the perception of the dwarves’ legacy, as does their tragic fall.

The series also invites comparisons with other adaptations of Tolkien’s work, where the compared to the original material tends to dictate fan reception. For example, the introduction of the Balrog in the LOTR film trilogy was an iconic moment and true to the spirit of the book. Conversely, the acceleration of events in the series may leave some fans feel like depth is being sacrificed historical because of the immediate drama. This narrative strategy brings into play the faithfulness to the original vision of the author, a crucial aspect for the Tolkien community.

What does this mean for The Rings of Power?

This alteration in the timeline poses a dilemma for followers of Tolkien’s work and could be considered a plot hole within the very logic of the series. By anticipating the fall of Khazad-dûm, the series not only changes a crucial event in Tolkien’s timeline, but also changes the city’s importance and legacy in the history of Middle-earth.

While the main video series attempts to weave a narrative that combines the most exciting elements of Middle-earth, fans may feel that these types of changes compromise the coherence of the universe Tolkien created. The haste with which events unfold in Khazad-dûm deprives the city of the opportunity to become the legend it is in the original writings. With season three on the horizon, it remains to be seen how the series will handle the consequences of these changes and whether it will be able to reconcile its vision with Tolkien’s rich lore.