As a longtime Tolkien enthusiast who’s followed the saga of Middle-earth since I was but a hobbit-sized child, I must say that The Rings of Power has certainly kept me on my toes! One revelation that left me utterly stunned was the unmasking of the enigmatic Stranger. To learn that he’s none other than Gandalf, albeit in his earlier days, is a twist that I never saw coming. It’s like discovering that Frodo Baggins was actually a time-traveling Santa Claus!
J.R.R. Tolkien’s renowned and impactful fantasy novels, particularly “The Lord of the Rings,” have been transformed into numerous media types throughout time. This includes books, video games, cartoons, and two extensive movie franchises. More recently, Tolkien’s works have moved to television on Amazon Prime Video with “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.” With a staggering $1 billion budget spread across its planned five seasons, it’s the most costly production ever created.
In wrapping up its second season last week, The Rings of Power, similar to its first installment, has sparked debate within the Tolkien community due to alterations made to the original source material. However, this season was packed with significant events and surprising revelations that both echo some of Tolkien’s history and hint at future developments. Some moments stay true to the source, while others diverge, potentially influencing the course of the series. Proceed with caution; spoilers await! Below are ten of the most impactful moments and disclosures from season 2 of The Rings of Power.
10 Bronwyn Is Dead
Before Season 2 began, it was likely anticipated by some fans that a character like Bronwyn would appear. Unlike any of Tolkien’s original creations, Bronwyn is exclusive to The Rings of Power. She runs an apothecary in Tirharad and develops a forbidden romance with the Elf soldier Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova), which goes against Middle-Earth’s norms. In Season 1, Bronwyn was significant until she was hit by an Orc arrow near its end. However, she appears to be on the mend. Yet, when Season 2 commenced, it turned out that Bronwyn had already passed away.
From the very beginning, Arondir lamented Bronwyn’s demise, describing the Orc arrow as something that leaves a lasting impression on mortal beings. Unfortunately, Bronwyn sustained fatal injuries during the events of season 1, and her passing occurred off-camera between seasons one and two. This surprising revelation might puzzle some fans, but it’s important to note that Nazanin Boniadi, the actress who portrayed Bronwyn, opted not to continue in season 2. As a result, Amazon elected not to replace the role, leading to Bronwyn’s off-screen departure from the series.
9 Pharazôn Becomes King of Númenor
Pharazôn, portrayed by Trystan Gravelle, is revealed to be more underhanded than previously suspected in season 2. He’s a well-known figure in J.R.R. Tolkien’s lore, but his tale has been reimagined. Instead of leading wars and sailing the seas as part of Middle-earth’s history, Pharazôn in “The Rings of Power” is a cunning advisor who remains within Númenor, seizing power by overthrowing Queen Regent Míriel, another established character, to ascend the throne of Númenor.
This instance marks a significant turning point – not just for season 2, but for the entire series’ trajectory. Fans of Tolkien are well aware that Pharazôn is the final king of Númenor, and his coronation signifies the start of its decline, leading ultimately to its demise.
8 Tom Bombadil Makes an Appearance
As our mysterious figure, referred to simply as the Stranger, travels through the realm of Rhûn, he encounters another magical entity named Tom Bombadil (portrayed by Rory Kinnear). Initially, we only see Tom from behind in this encounter. When the Stranger addresses him, Tom gently rises and faces him. The camera focuses on Tom’s face, capturing a knowing smile that hints at his wisdom. This moment carries an air of significance, suggesting the introduction of a significant character. Later, when Tom reveals his name, there is an undercurrent of importance surrounding his identity. For those less familiar with Rings, this revelation might seem puzzling and leave them wondering, “Who on earth is Tom Bombadil? Is he someone I should recognize?
But for diehard Rings and Tolkien fans, this is a big moment. Tom Bombadil is a character from Tolkien’s writings, who first appeared in the author’s 1934 poem “The Adventures of Tom Bombadil”. He also appears in The Lord of the Rings books, though the character was cut from the film adaptations. Turning him into a supporting character in The Rings of Power is a big nod to Tolkien’s lore. And the fact that he’s now training the Stranger will be an interesting storyline moving forward, even if it does deviate from the source material.
7 Annatar Finally Appears
The major surprise in Season 1 unfolded when it was unmasked that Halbrand (Charlie Vickers), a trusted friend of Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), was actually none other than Sauron. This revelation sparked outrage among dedicated Tolkien fans, reminiscent of a pitchfork-wielding mob. In the realm of Tolkien’s literature, Sauron is known for assuming the guise of Annatar, the Lord of Gifts, to orchestrate the forging of the Rings of Power.
In Season 2, Sauron rectifies this issue as he actually transforms into Annatar, a captivating Elven envoy dispatched from the divine Valar to Middle-earth. This pivotal scene echoes Tolkien’s lore effectively and is portrayed skillfully in the series, smoothly transitioning us to our next topic.
6 Celebrimbor Makes the Rings of Power
Poor Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards). Before Annatar, he was known as the greatest Elven smith in Middle-earth. Now he’s known as the smith who was deceived by Sauron into forging the Rings of Power. Season 1 ends with Celebrimbor forging the three Elven rings, a departure from the source material. In Tolkien lore, it’s the three rings that Celebrimbor forges last, free from Sauron’s influence.
In “The Rings of Power” season 2, viewers witness the heart-wrenching decline of Celebrimbor, an initially kind and noble Elf. Through manipulation, he’s led to create the Rings of Power, unaware that his trusted friend Annatar is actually the cunning Sauron. The series unfolds as Celebrimbor completes the rings, a significant event in both the show’s narrative and Tolkien lore. Tragically, Celebrimbor meets his end, being struck by arrows and then hung on a pole, much like in the original story.
5 The Dwarves Unleash the Balrog
One of the most iconic moments from The Fellowship of the Ring involves the Balrog, a massive, fiery beast that prowls the Mines of Moria. Season 1 of The Rings of Power teased the Balrog’s appearance, showing this creature lurking in the depths of Khazad-dûm. In the season 2 finale, the Dwarves unearth the Balrog from the depths with their mining and finally come face-to-face with this monstrous beast.
As a passionate film buff, I must say, even though the Balrog’s screen time was brief, it left an indelible mark on the epic narrative. For devoted Tolkien fans, this fleeting moment sets in motion a pivotal chain of events that will ultimately force the Dwarves out of Khazad-dûm, transforming it into the ominously titled “Black Pit,” later known as Moria.
4 Prince Durin Becomes King
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s legend, it’s the Balrog’s ominous presence that results in the demise of King Durin III, the Dwarf monarch of Khazad-dûm. This fearsome creature gains the ominous title “Durin’s Bane.” This nickname is set to resurface in season 3. The unfortunate passing of Durin III means that his son, Prince Durin IV (played by Owain Arthur), ascends to the throne of Khazad-dûm, provided that he manages to claim it. However, the season 2 finale hints at potential challenges to Durin’s rule in the form of his own brother, who is set to make an appearance in season 3.
3 Adar’s Death
In the first season and half of the second, the character Adar (portrayed by Sam Hazeldine in season 2), is subtly established as a secondary antagonist in The Rings of Power. Initially, there are hints that he may switch allegiance to Sauron, despite having been involved in the Dark Lord’s demise. However, instead of becoming a full-blown villain, Ador turns out to be more of an anti-hero, with a strong desire for Orcs to coexist peacefully.
In the story, Adar consents to team up with Galadriel and the Elves to vanquish Sauron, provided they can dwell peacefully in Mordor and their kin are left untouched. Remarkably, he chooses to relinquish the Elven ring and hand it back to Galadriel instead of retaining it for himself. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Sauron regains control over the Orcs, and Adar’s “children” mercilessly kill him. This unexpected plot twist not only ends Adar’s life prematurely but also leaves a poignant sense of tragedy.
2 Sauron Is the Show’s Lone Villain
From my perspective as a movie critic, it was always evident that Sauron would embody the antagonist in “The Rings of Power”. After all, he is notoriously known as the villain in “The Lord of the Rings”. Interestingly, the show hinted at portraying him as a complex character, an anti-hero perhaps, striving for peace. The intriguing twist was his blossoming forbidden romance with Galadriel. However, true to form, Sauron has once again proven himself a master of deception, leaving us all questioning the intentions of this enigmatic figure.
Following the horrific killings of Celebrimbor and Adar, it’s undeniable: Sauron is a malevolent, violent character with a twisted understanding of peace. Just like all tyrants, he desires for the world to conform to his own will. Adar’s demise opens the door for Sauron to assume control over the Orc army and establish Mordor as his dominion, making him the sole antagonist in the storyline.
1 The Stranger’s True Identity
In Season 1, the plot took an unexpected turn when a celestial entity fell from the skies, whom we’ve since come to know as The Stranger (played by Daniel Weyman). In the season 2 finale, his enigmatic persona was unmasked. As many speculated, it turned out that The Stranger is actually Gandalf, a name he adopts upon being referred to as “Grand-Elf” by the Harfoots.
In a significant shift from the original stories, the series “The Rings of Power” is set during the Second Age, a time when, according to Tolkien’s lore, Gandalf hasn’t yet arrived in Middle-earth, which was after Sauron’s defeat. This change implies that Tom Bombadil, rather than Gandalf, may have been the one who taught him magic. It also suggests that we might witness a confrontation between Sauron and Gandalf at some point in the storyline.
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2024-10-08 01:32