Everything you need to know before you start Season 2 of Rings of Power

As a lifelong fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s enchanting works, I find myself utterly captivated by this intriguing tale unfolding in Middle-earth. The rich tapestry of characters, both old and new, weaves together a narrative that feels as if it were plucked straight from the pages of my beloved books.

On August 29th, I can’t wait to tune in for the much-anticipated premiere of Season 2 of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” on Amazon Prime Video. If you’re like me and want to get ready for the action, you can log into your Prime Video account or catch it for free on Samsung TV Plus.

“Three rings for the elf kings under the sky”

Everything you need to know before you start Season 2 of Rings of Power

“Three rings for the elven kings under the sky”

A good way to rephrase the given text could be: “How do we begin discussing the immortals? There’s Galadriel, the leader of the northern armies, relentless in her pursuit of Sauron. She halted only when her troops refused to advance further. Given an offer for eternal peace in Valinor, she chose instead to complete her mission and continue the chase. Her story revolves around her unyielding quest to locate the foe she firmly believes is still alive.”

In the meantime, King Gil-Galad, the supreme ruler, has announced peaceful times and shifted Elrond’s advisory role towards assisting Celebrimbor, the exceptional elven blacksmith. Currently, Celebrimbor is engaged in a task that needs to be finished by the arrival of spring.

The timeline reveals a gradual diminishing of elven authority, symbolized by the decay of a sacred tree. However, when this tree’s leaves come into contact with the recently discovered ore known as mithril, they miraculously regain vigor. Consequently, the elves find it crucial to reconcile with the dwarves and utilize the mithril to rejuvenate their strength in Middle-earth.

The eighth installment concludes as Celebrimbor crafts three rings using mithril and the sword once belonging to Galadriel, in honor of her brother. As they put it, “One can lead to corruption, two often create discord. But with three, equilibrium prevails.”

Khazad-Dum

Everything you need to know before you start Season 2 of Rings of Power

One delightful aspect of this series lies in observing the dwarves at their most productive. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” the Mines of Moria are haunted and witness a crucial battle. However, in “The Rings of Power,” Moria is illuminated by reflective mirrors, fostering growth within its halls, and new mineral deposits are unearthed. In times of danger, dwarves can plead with the mountains for mercy. Notably, we witness Prince Durin IV and his wife Disa nurturing their children too.

Things aren’t going smoothly. The mithril that could rescue the elves is a closely-held secret, one the king dreads might fall into the wrong hands. They uncover an extraordinary source of this material, allowing them to dig deeper, but it does not come without consequence. It’s rumored that the dwarves stirred something in Moria with their greed, and we witness this as the balrog of Morgoth makes its return.

“Where the shadows lie”

Everything you need to know before you start Season 2 of Rings of Power

Among all the plotlines, the one in the Southlands appears to be the most complex. At the start of this season, an elf stands guard over a settlement that he has protected for countless human lives. Yet, despite the high king’s proclamation that the war against Sauron is finished, there are ominous indicators from the east. A cow falls ill, a hamlet is torched, and trenches are being excavated by slaves under the brutal control of orcs.

A puzzling figure named Adar leads the orcs and some residents of the Southland mistakenly believe him to be Sauron. Upon his capture, it’s unveiled that he is one of the original Uruks, a corrupted elf, commanding the army that assaults the people residing in the Southlands.

It’s crucial not to overlook Bronwyn in our discussion. She’s a lone parent and a healer, showing great vigilance towards her son Theo. The lad experiences an artifact – a sword hilt – that seems to communicate with him, expanding when his blood is drawn. Interestingly, other villagers have also sensed its presence, but it’s Theo who confesses to the elves about it and tries to return it to prevent adversaries from seizing it. However, at this juncture, he discovers that the hilt has mysteriously disappeared from his possession.

And here is where the long game pays off. The elderly man who also felt drawn to the object uses it as a key to unleash great tides of water. These rush through the channels dug under the directions of Adar. They reach a vast underground cavern of magma and the mountain that has been a nice background for most of the season is suddenly transformed by a massive volcanic eruption. The people of the Southlands, who were just saved by the army of Numenor, are in the path of everything Mount Doom has to throw at them. Lives are lost, homes are obliterated, and Adar gloats as he renames the area Mordor.

Sauron the Deceiver

Everything you need to know before you start Season 2 of Rings of Power

It seems fitting now to delve into the elephant in the room, which some might refer to as the megalomaniacal figure. Throughout the season, there have been hints that the servant of Morgoth is not only alive but also growing stronger. Interestingly, on three separate occasions, someone has been identified as Sauron, yet on two of those instances, it turns out to be a misunderstanding.

In simpler terms, Lord Halbrand initially presents himself as a sailor stranded at sea who assists Galadriel in her journey back from the dividing seas. Later, when they arrive in Numenor, he discloses his origins from the Southern lands, and Galadriel encourages him to accept the nobility she believes he belongs to. He’s more inclined towards crafting and smithing, but eventually consents to accompany Galadriel in riding to aid the people of the Southlands. Bronwyn notices the emblem he bears and anxiously queries if he is the ruler they have been anticipating. He affirms her speculation, and those on the brink of being overwhelmed by a pyroclastic flow hail him.

It is in the final episode that he is brought to Eregion for healing by the elves. He takes an alarming interest in the work of Celebrimbor and begins making recommendations on how to work with mithril. When Celebrimbor calls it an “intriguing suggestion,” Halbrand instructs, “call it a gift.” This was a sign to those who know Sauron by a name translating to “Lord of Gifts” that we had finally found our dark lord. Indeed, Galadriel confronts him with the broken line of kings and experiences a series of visions in which she realizes that this Southlander is the enemy she’s hunted.

“This wandering day”

Everything you need to know before you start Season 2 of Rings of Power

A Tolkien-esque tale wouldn’t be whole without the presence of the small people. After all, his epic began with “In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit.” However, this is an era predating hobbits, and instead we encounter the Harfoots – a friendly, nomadic race that tends to be shy around other species. One evening, the daring Nori Brandyfoot and her close companion, Poppy Proudfellow, stumble upon a giant, stark-naked and surrounded by flames in a crater.

As a gamer, I’m wild, unpredictable, and occasionally dangerous. It takes me time to tame my abilities and find my place within the community. When three minions of Sauron mistake me for their master, I defend myself and scare them off with my powers of good. After discovering that I am an Istar, or a wizard, I decide to journey eastward in search of answers about my purpose. Along the way, Nori joins me on this quest.

As a devoted enthusiast, I must admit that this mysterious figure remains unidentified, yet there’s something about him that screams wizard in gray attire, quoting lines reminiscent of Gandalf from ‘The Hobbit.’ If he’s not the benevolent guide we’ve come to know and love, then Season 2 has some intriguing plot twists waiting for us.

Numenor

Everything you need to know before you start Season 2 of Rings of Power

As a dedicated fan of “The Lord of the Rings” movies, I can’t help but recognize the name Isildur. He was none other than the king’s son who picked up his father’s shattered sword and severed the One Ring from Sauron’s grip. However, instead of destroying it as he should have, he kept it for himself, thus cursing his own lineage. Aragorn, whom we know so well, is a descendant of this very Isildur. If not for his choices, there would have been no need for the Fellowship of the Ring.

Currently, Isildur is a mischievous young man still finding his footing. As a novice in Numenor’s navy, he comes dangerously close to causing catastrophe. Although permitted to serve in Numenor’s army, he is relegated to cleaning the ship decks near the horses. However, in battle, he demonstrates his value and mends the frayed relationship with his father who often had doubts about him. While Isildur is not yet ready to vanquish Sauron, the foundations of his destiny are clearly visible in season 1.

In other parts of Numenor, the ruler is unwell, and the Queen Regent experiences prophetic dreams of a massive wave engulfing the city. Given that Numenor submerges in this tale’s future, its flourishing civilization is tragically poignant. Chancellor Pharazon expresses reluctance towards elf involvement, hinting at his future arrogance leading to the westward voyage and ultimately the demise of Numenor. The series concludes with Queen Miriel, who lost her sight in the Orodruin eruption, being oblivious to the raised black sails indicating the king’s death and the shift in power.

As a dedicated fan, I’m thrilled to share that you can catch up on “The Rings of Power” until August 28th directly on Samsung TV Plus. And here’s the exciting part: the next season will be available for streaming on Prime Video the very next day!

2024-08-18 17:32