By going back to the second age, The Lord of the Rings series is doing what Star Wars never could – avoiding the same old tired ground. Yes, the TV series is still technically a prequel. But The Lord of the Rings isn’t about Sauron any more than it’s about the One Ring. It’s about honor and bravery in the face of death. It’s about accepting what fate offers you and making the best of it. It’s about the bonds of friendship and the power of love.
