'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power'
The highly anticipated TV series, set thousands of years before J.R.R. Tolkien's novels, starts with a whimper. There's a rock-breaking contest and a battle with the closest thing Middle-earth has to the Abominable Snowman. But for the most part, the first two episodes are all about exposition. Die-hard "LOTR" fans won't mind. They'll adore the Brigadoon-like settings and colorful new characters, especially Owain Arthur's Prince Durin IV, a huggable version of Yosemite Sam. But those hungry for action will be more satisfied with this fall's other big fantasy series, "House of the Dragon." 9 p.m. ET Thursday, Prime Video
'Everything Everywhere All at Once'
