For families who prioritize faith and values in their entertainment choices, it’s easy to feel out of place in the world of live-action fantasy TV series.
HBO’s “Game of Throne” was a ratings bonanza but included nudity, graphic violence and language. Netflix’s answer to that series, The Witcher, had many of the same problems, as did HBO’s follow-up series, “House of the Dragon.” Essentially, all three were R-rated trash.
That’s why a new television series, Prime Video’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” (TV-14) is good news for Christian families. It’s a live-action fantasy TV series without sexuality, nudity or any coarse language. And although it contains plenty of war scenes and frightening images — it is set in a world of monsters, after all — it stays firmly within PG-13 territory, making it appropriate for most tweens and teens.
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Now in Season 2, the series is set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s universe and follows the story of a young female elf, Galadriel, who is determined to rid Middle-earth of evil and the dangerous Sauron even as the king and her fellow warriors insist the land is at peace.
“Evil does not sleep,” she tells them in Season 1.
Galadriel is resolute in her quest to find Sauron, driven by the desire for justice after he killed her brother. She finds Sauron at the end of Season 1, only to watch him escape. In Season 2, Sauron goes undercover as a commoner, blending in with everyday people.
Tolkien, of course, was a devout Catholic whose good-vs.-evil worldview was infused in his stories. In “Rings of Power,” good is unmistakably good, evil is distinctly evil, and moral choices carry profound consequences. The first episode of Season 1 even presents a Garden of Eden-like tale, which — we assume — will be followed by a fall and a redemption.
“The Rings of Power” is set thousands of years prior to Tolkien’s stories. As explained in the opening sequence, it is drawn from his books’ appendices — the material Tolkien included at the end of his novels to provide background and context for his universe.
If your family watched the Peter Jackson-directed movies from the early 2000s, then you’ll probably enjoy this series. But be warned: Its inclusion of scary-looking orcs and intense battles may be too frightening for young children. (I didn’t let my 8-year-old son watch it.)
I only screened the first three episodes of Season 2, along with the entire first season. You never know what surprises Hollywood might bring, so proceed with caution.
Each season contains eight episodes.
Other shows
Also worth watching this month:
“Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2” (Netflix) — A lovable and quirky mall cop faces off against thieves in his local mall (“Mall Cop”), and later (“Mall Cop 2″) takes on a high-stakes security conference in Las Vegas, where he must once again save the day. Both of these comedies are rated PG. (The first one includes mild language.) Clearplay and VidAngel offer filters.
“Migration” (Netflix) — A family of mallards embarks on their first-ever journey south for the winter, facing unexpected challenges and adventures along the way. It’s an Illumination movie that’s rated PG for action/peril and mild rude humor. My children watch it often.
“Despicable Me 4” (Home Video) — Gru, America’s favorite villain-turned-good guy, goes into hiding with his family when an old nemesis, the villain Maxime, breaks out of prison and vows revenge. The Despicable Me franchise is one of the best series for families, offering (mostly) kid-friendly humor with a solid redemptive story arc. It’s available on digital home video, with the DVD/Blu-ray date following on Sept. 24. Rated PG for action and rude humor.
“Love’s Second Act” (Great American Pure Flix) — Aspiring filmmaker Jamie returns to her hometown in search of inspiration and reconnects with her ex-boyfriend Nick, who still works at the small-town theater where their love story first began. This romantic comedy launches on Great American Family Sept. 14 and already can be viewed on Great American Pure Flix.
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and entertainment for 20 years. He is the husband to Julie and the father of four children.
