As a lifelong fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth saga, I find myself both excited and somewhat apprehensive about the upcoming season of Amazon’s “The Rings of Power.” The first season was an enchanting journey through the Elven realms, but now that we’ve reached the brink of chaos, the stakes have never been higher.
The first season of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” began on September 1, 2022. This significant adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Second Age mythology concluded approximately two months later, initiating a nearly two-year gap between seasons. However, this hiatus comes to an end on August 29, 2024, as Season 2 will debut with three episodes released simultaneously, which is almost half of the eight-episode season being made available at once.
Anticipation builds among fans of Middle-earth as they eagerly await the next chapter in this epic tale, penned by showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay. It’s not hard to recall where we left off at the end of Season 1 – a season brimming with nearly two dozen main characters, each involved in different stories that sometimes took place on opposite sides of the world. The upcoming Season 2 looks set to ramp up the complexity (and potentially confuse even devoted fans) by introducing new characters into the fray. From the underground activities of the Dwarves in Khazad-dûm, to the bustling events taking place on Númenor among humans, from the perilous journeys of the halflings in the east, to the Elvish intrigue unfolding in Lindon and Eregion – here are some of the most pressing questions left unanswered from Season 1 that Season 2 must address.
What is going on with Isildur?
In “The Lord of the Rings,” the name Isildur carries significant historical weight and is synonymous with heroism due to his act of cutting the One Ring from Sauron’s hand. However, in “The Rings of Power” Season 1, Isildur is depicted as a young, immature, and emotionally unstable individual who serves within a minor noble’s household, still grappling with the loss of his mother.
In Episode 6 titled “Udûn,” Isildur joins the Númenórean expedition on Middle-earth’s mainland and contributes to the defeat of Adar’s Orcs. However, he barely has a moment to catch his breath when Mount Doom suddenly erupts, putting him in grave danger. In Episode 7, “The Eye,” Isildur discovers his deceased friend, Ontamo, before a burning building crumbles upon them in the devastation of the volcanic environment. The loss of Isildur creates quite a stir, and we witness his father releasing their steadfast horse, Berek, to roam free (possibly returning to its master in Season 2).
Regardless of the current events, it’s clear that Isildur will reappear, given his significant role in the narrative. The intrigue lies in how he will make his return. We’ve caught glimpses of what Isildur’s Season 2 journey might entail, such as his encounters with a young Shelob, support from Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova), and introductions to the new character Estrid (portrayed by Nia Towle). Fans speculate that she could be Isildur’s future spouse, although her identity remains undisclosed in Tolkien’s writings. No matter what transpires, it seems Isildur’s tale must resume its course.
Who is the Stranger?
J.R.R. Tolkien didn’t write mysteries; instead, his work focused primarily on epic fantasy. His attempt at a “thriller” sequel to “The Lord of the Rings,” titled “The New Shadow,” which he quickly abandoned, was dismissed by him as not worth pursuing. Given this, one might question why “The Rings of Power” is prolonging the enigma surrounding the identity of the Stranger when the character of Daniel Weyman, who plays one of Tolkien’s unique Wizards, the Istari, already holds intrigue? Regardless of whether the Stranger is Gandalf, Saruman, a Blue Wizard, or even Radagast, his narrative promises to be captivating as it unfolds in previously uncharted territories of Rhûn, located in eastern Middle-earth.
Is it possible for us to disclose some information now? It’s common knowledge that in Season 2, Weyman’s Wizard will come face-to-face with Tom Bombadil. Additionally, he’ll run into an enigmatic, unnamed Wizard antagonist portrayed by Ciarán Hinds. So, who exactly is he? The silver lining in this situation is that the showrunner J.D. Payne shared with IGN that “we can confirm that yes, his name will be unveiled by the end of Season 2.” While we have to wait a whole season, at least we know that the major revelation will conclude, one way or another, before Season 3 starts.
How can Sauron fix the Halbrand conundrum?
In Tolkien’s writings, Sauron first appears as Annatar, the immortal Lord of Gifts, joining Celebrimbor and the elves of Eregion to create the Rings of Power. This event takes place at the start of the storyline. In the adaptation, Sauron is initially disguised as a human named Halbrand. By the end of Season 1, Galadriel learns his true identity, and it’s revealed that he and Celebrimbor had earlier collaborated on forging the Three Elven Rings, which is an alteration of the original timeline, as these rings were actually made towards the end of the ring-making process in Tolkien’s work.
As we move into Season 2, Halbrand remains a prominent figure, and only the three rings (as per canon – more details on that later) have been created. From the trailers, it appears Halbrand will don his hidden Annatar persona at some point during the season. The intriguing question that arises is: how will Sauron regain influence and keep Celebrimbor’s trust, so he can forge the remaining 16 Rings of Power, eventually creating the One Ring with dominion over them all?
What happens after King Palantir dies on Númenor?
In the final episode of Season 1, the Númenórean explorers return to their native island, but are shocked to find the harbor swarming with ships with dark sails. This grim sight is a result of the death of King Tar-Palantir, which happened while they were off battling an unwinnable war. Towards the end, we catch a glimpse of Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle) gazing at the late king.
As the Second Age advances, the island of Númenor experiences internal strife, with two main factions emerging into prominence. The first, known as the King’s Men, is headed by Pharazôn and turns its back on relationships with Elves and the Valar. The second group, referred to as The Faithful, remains loyal but finds itself in a minority. Over time, these two groups become the focal points that Sauron exploits to drive Númenórean society towards collapse – a scenario depicted in the books.
Transitioning from the leap between seasons, it becomes crucial for us to witness the growth and division within these factions. In the first season, we observed diverse viewpoints in the Human kingdom, and now, it’s essential that Season 2 makes these contrasts starkly apparent as adversaries. Furthermore, we need clarity on the aftermath following Tar-Palantir’s demise, particularly the power gap that ensued. Queen Regent Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) ascended to the throne after Tar-Palantir, but she is now blind, has limited allies, and notably supports the Faithful. The question remains: will Pharazôn exploit this vulnerable power shift to claim his cousin’s throne?
Can Adar and Sauron figure things out?
Enemies seldom cooperate, as demonstrated in Season 1 when Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) questioned the Orc leader Adar (played by Joseph Mawle). She found out that he had initially served under Sauron, but later betrayed him. According to Adar’s account, he split Sauron apart before fleeing with his Orc army. He eventually made his way to the Southlands, planning to trigger the Mount Doom trap. By the end of the season, a resurrected Sauron was approaching the newly established volcanic kingdom and seemed destined for a confrontation with his former ally Adar.
Season 2 will delve deeper into the complex partnership between these two influential figures in Middle-earth. We’ve been hinted that we’ll uncover their past, and the opening scene of Season 2, as revealed by co-showrunner Patrick McKay to Total Film, sets a dramatic tone: an orc is about to be crowned but is instead assassinated by his trusted advisor, Adar, in a shocking betrayal reminiscent of Sauron’s death. The Comic-Con trailer for “The Rings of Power” provides a glimpse of this momentous event. What remains intriguing is how these two will navigate their alliance and mobilize the forces of evil together.
Where is Theo’s story going?
In Season 1, Tyroe Muhafidin’s character, Theo, follows a winding narrative path. We get insights into his challenging upbringing as an only child raised by a single mother in the Southlands. Theo discovers a sword hilt that activates Mount Doom, yet he remains ambiguous regarding his loyalties; he doesn’t clearly choose one side over the other.
As we move into Season 2, it would be beneficial to gain some insight into the direction of this character’s narrative. Why is this non-main character occupying such a large portion of screen time? Could it be that he is indeed a main character in disguise, perhaps destined to become a Ringwraith or the King of the Dead in future seasons? Although his mother won’t appear in Season 2, as actress Nazanin Boniadi will not be reprising her role despite a strong performance in Season 1. However, showrunner Patrick McKay hinted at San Diego Comic-Con that we might learn more about Theo’s father during the course of the series.
If the information about Theo’s parents isn’t simply another trivial detail in his character, it’s likely to provide a more definite understanding of who he is. However, whether we’ll see further development of this Theo-centric plotline in Season 2 remains uncertain.
Where is Celeborn?
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel “The Fellowship of the Ring,” Galadriel characterizes her spouse, Celeborn, as the most wise among all elves in Middle-earth and one who bestows gifts more potent than royal power. She notes that Celeborn has been dwelling in the West since time immemorial, implying a long partnership with her. Over countless years and throughout the ages of the world, they have fought together against an ongoing defeat. This tender remark implies, albeit humorously, that Galadriel and Celeborn, both elven leaders, share a lasting bond.
In Season 1, Celeborn was not present. Galadriel mentioned in passing that she had lost him in a war, with no further explanation. Later, there were whispers that Calam Lynch would portray Celeborn in the series, but Looper debunked this speculation. However, at San Diego Comic-Con, Patrick McKay confirmed that Celeborn will appear on the show at some point in the future. Similarly, he hinted that Glorfindel, an Elf-lord and warrior who was previously overlooked, may also make an appearance.
Despite not specifying when these events would transpire, it’s crucial that the narrative makes clear Celeborn’s whereabouts, his state of life, and how he will be incorporated into the plot. Even if he won’t be the main focus like Galadriel, his significance is such that he shouldn’t be overlooked for too long in the storyline.
Is the royal family split in Khazad-dûm?
Season 1 of “The Rings of Power” gave us a new and intimate look into stable, comfortable Dwarven communities. Tolkien writes about these early in the First and Second Ages of Middle-earth, while later Dwarven history features displaced, destitute, semi-nomadic groups. Season 1’s depiction of a thriving Khazad-dûm free from the fears and cares of tragedy was new to a visual medium, and key to this was the healthy, entertaining interactions between the royal family of King Durin III (Peter Mullan), Durin IV (Owain Arthur), and Princess Disa (Sophia Nomvete).
As the season draws to a close, however, cracks start appearing within the royal family. Driven by an Elvish desire for mithril, Durin IV and Elrond secretly mine for this valuable ore against King Durin’s express prohibition. When their actions are discovered, Prince Durin faces his father’s wrath, leading to such a severe disapproval that the king even disowns him. This incident promises some dramatic confrontations in the upcoming season.
In the upcoming second season, the intricacies will deepen as we’re introduced to the Dwarven Rings of Power. As stated by Showrunner Patrick McKay to Entertainment Weekly, these rings fuel the Dwarves’ covetousness, leading us into a narrative exploration such as “What if Peter Mullan goes rogue as an antagonist in Khazad-dum during Season 2? … How could this impact a father-son relationship?” The royal family, having parted ways by the end of Season 1, needs to steer their circumstances decisively in Season 2.
What is that Balrog going to do?
Instead of just the turmoil among royals, the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm are additionally confronted by a revived and enraged Balrog. In Season 1, it made ominous growls before abruptly ending. However, we’ve already witnessed more than that in the trailers for Season 2: The Balrog is depicted jumping through cracks, brandishing flaming swords, and materializing in a fire next to Sauron. To make matters worse, Khazad-dûm appears to be under siege (probably due to the beast’s distant, mountain-quaking wrath).
As a lifelong fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth mythos, I must express my concern about the portrayal of the Balrog in “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.” In my years of immersing myself in Tolkien’s works, I have come to understand that the Balrog awakens 2,000 years after the Second Age, well beyond the reigns of Durin III and Durin IV. This timeline is crucial to understanding the lore and the progression of events within Middle-earth.
“The series ‘The Rings of Power’ is making an artistic choice by advancing the appearance of the main antagonist in the timeline. This shift requires some thorough explanations to help us understand the complexities of the storyline. The second season presents a great chance to dispel any confusion and demonstrate why it was strategic to awaken the Balrog prematurely, given all the turmoil happening across Middle-earth.”
Can they really pull off Tom Bombadil?
Tom Bombadil was omitted from Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, but this choice had a logical explanation as his character’s role within the story is relatively straightforward to remove. However, Tom Bombadil is an intriguing figure that deserves more recognition, and this gap will be filled in Amazon’s “The Rings of Power.” Actor Rory Kinnear will bring Tom Bombadil to life in Season 2.
Is it feasible for the creative team to successfully incorporate Bombadil into the storyline? Bombadil is an enigmatic character who often seems out of place in the grand scheme of Middle-earth. He’s known for his whimsical behavior, frequent singing, and unique role as a partially invested, yet largely unengaged participant in the larger narrative. Balancing his presence without making him too prominent will be tricky. Moreover, Goldberry, Tom’s wife, and the Barrow-wights, which Tom famously defeated in a musical battle in “The Fellowship of the Ring,” are also expected to appear. This adds an extra layer of complexity as it raises the stakes significantly. Can Payne, McKay, and their team handle this eccentric group that has proven difficult to adapt in the past?
How are the rest of the Rings of Power going to show up?
In the world of Middle-earth’s later eras, the Rings of Power hold significant weight. They play a pivotal role in Amazon Studios’ portrayal (given their inclusion in the title), yet the creators aren’t hesitant to rework the storyline to serve their narrative needs. Gennifer Hutchison, a key writer who contributed to the Season 1 finale and spoke with Looper post-release, explained that in the series, the Three Elven Rings are created first. This change is made because the initial season primarily focuses on the Elves, as they were crafted before the rings for Dwarves and Men according to the original text.
As a gamer immersed in this fantastical world, I can share that this season has been all about chasing the Elves and their tale of coping with the fading, along with Galadriel’s adventure alongside Halbrand. From the very beginning, it was clear that this ending would be our destination, as we were dedicated to telling this story and ensuring it received the attention it deserved for this season.
Sure thing!
Are we getting the One Ring this season?
In “The Lord of the Rings,” it’s the title rings that hold significant importance, however, they wouldn’t be as impactful without the One Ring, which was crafted to rule over them. Sauron’s aggressive actions during the Second Age were sparked by the forging of enchanted rings and later the creation of the One Ring. This ring had the power to control its bearers and subdue them to Sauron’s will, leading to the intense conflicts that characterized the latter part of that era. The loss of the One Ring at the end of the Second Age, a pivotal event, sets the stage for the tumultuous Third Age that unfolds later on.
When might we receive the One Ring, it’s crucial, but its arrival depends on the completion of the others. Once they’re in play, will the second season conclude with the creation of a final Ring of Power, or will we have to await the third season for this pivotal Middle-earth occurrence to unfold on our streaming devices?
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2024-08-09 14:31