The Rings of Power bosses talk paths not taken, goals for season 3

As a devoted fan of Middle-earth and its intricate lore, I eagerly follow the unfolding saga of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Each season offers tantalizing glimpses into the past, weaving together threads from J.R.R Tolkien’s rich tapestry with a deft touch.

The second installment of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” has concluded, providing many answers (such as who the enigmatic figure, ‘The Stranger’, is, and when we might see the fearsome balrog) while also raising further questions (like why the Stranger acts as he does, and when will we encounter the balrog again). The show’s masterminds, J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, are currently discussing these topics.

We’ll begin with the mysterious figure, who turned out to be a younger version of Gandalf, the cherished character from J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic Lord of the Rings trilogy. Payne questioned Deadline, “How do you create a Lord of the Rings series without including its most adored character?” He added, “Ultimately, we realized that it’s not feasible. If there’s any reason to bring him into the story, it’s too enticing not to explore it.

Controversial: I found the development of the Stranger’s storyline somewhat lackluster this season, especially as it transitioned from his bond with Nori to his connection with Tom Bombadil, a minor character from “The Lord of the Rings” who is inherently detached and indifferent to the larger events unfolding in Middle-earth.

It’s also worth noting that both Payne and McKay didn’t initially know that Gandalf would be the Stranger at the beginning of the series, but they developed this aspect as the story progressed. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Payne explained, “We explored other possibilities. There were blue wizards who were present in the North during the Second Age and moved to the East. However, it felt like this was the tale that wanted to unfold.

At the conclusion of the second season, even though I learned who the Stranger eventually transforms into, I’m left feeling like I don’t understand him very well. This might be because he himself hasn’t regained any of his lost memories yet. How did he acquire amnesia initially, one wonders? In J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythology, the wizards are dispatched to Middle-earth with a mandate to thwart Sauron, and it seems essential to have your memories for that mission. “We may unveil those specifics as the narrative progresses,” Payne suggested. “However, he did possess an identity prior to that moment in the crater.

In addition, we introduce a new enigmatic sorcerer, whose authenticity may spark debate among fans: the ominous wizard portrayed by Ciarán Hinds, who gained fame on “Game of Thrones”. According to THR, this character is unlikely to be Saruman due to the trust Gandalf initially places in that particular wizard at the beginning of “The Lord of the Rings”. As McKay explained, “I believe it’s a very reasonable assumption. We know that throughout Middle-earth’s history, some wizards fall into darkness. Therefore, there is precedence for this transformation, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the same individual. In fact, having Saruman in this role would be inconsistent with the storyline.

One possibility has been ruled out. Now, let’s see how Gandalf’s tale ties into the overall narrative of the series. As McKay stated, it seems crucial that this story, which has traveled so far to the east, will eventually return and reconnect with the main plot, and Gandalf appears to have an integral part to play in the future unfolding events.

The Rings of Power bosses talk paths not taken, goals for season 3

The Balrog and Durin III were supposed to fight earlier

As a dedicated fan, one of the most thrilling scenes from the finale was when King Durin III plunged into battle against the balrog in the heart of Khazad-dûm. This means that Durin IV is now reigning as the dwarves’ king. Payne, the mastermind behind our story, shared, “We’ve been crafting this tale for five years, and we hoped it was worth the wait. Originally, this was meant to be the climax of Season 1, but there was simply too much narrative here, and we had such admiration for Peter Mullan that we wanted to explore the tension between him and his son more deeply.” He decided to stretch out the story over an entire season to fully explore this captivating dynamic.

I thoroughly appreciated the back-and-forth among the Durins, and I’m pleased that we got to spend more time with them. However, I was taken aback that the balrog appeared to be resolved, at least temporarily. Given Tolkien’s perspective, the balrog is the reason the dwarves leave Khazad-dûm, so I suspect we haven’t seen the last of it.

McKay explained, “Societies often decline not suddenly but gradually, and eventually catastrophically. If we liken this to climate change, climate change isn’t a single event; it’s an ongoing process that continually worsens. I believe that a kingdom as mighty as Khazad-dûm didn’t fall in a swift moment. Its downfall was the culmination of numerous calamities over time. It’s misleading to attribute the fall solely to the appearance of the Balrog; the story is more complex. I think there’s a larger narrative to be discovered here.

The Rings of Power bosses talk paths not taken, goals for season 3

When will Sauron make the One Ring?

In the recently concluded season, Sauron, the malevolent figure from the original trilogy, took center stage, earning the title “the lord of the rings.” Initially, he was powerless, lacking rings, armies, and allies. However, by the season’s end, he had amassed a formidable army of Orcs. Moreover, he has acquired the nine rings meant for men and distributed the seven rings to the dwarfs, which indicates that his ambitious plan for conquering Middle-earth is progressing steadily.

After Sauron, one might assume he would immediately focus on the One Ring. However, Payne remained tight-lipped about that, only stating that they are currently engrossed in the production of Season 3 and that we can anticipate an exciting continuation.

McCay subtly suggested a possible direction for the story: “In episode 8, Sauron is depicted with the ancestral hammer. Furthermore, in a voiceover by Megan Richards’ character Poppy Proudfellow, she speaks of rebuilding after defeat and loss. This could hint at what might transpire next for Sauron.

Sauron has suffered the loss of Celebrimbor, a powerful elven smith whom he once called an ally. However, the show portrays Sauron in a more sympathetic light without diminishing his malevolent intentions. As Payne puts it, “There’s a sense that something within Sauron is damaged, making his relationships unsuccessful.” This latest rejection from Celebrimbor represents another failed attempt to connect with a powerful being and achieve his goals together. There seems to be a genuine sadness, a feeling of failure, and loss as he witnesses Celebrimbor’s demise. But Sauron couldn’t resist corrupting and manipulating him, eventually leading to his downfall.

The Rings of Power bosses talk paths not taken, goals for season 3

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3?

As an ardent fan, I’m eagerly waiting for Amazon to officially confirm the development of a third season for The Rings of Power. Judging by the optimistic tones from those involved, particularly McKay and Payne, it seems we might be in for a thrilling continuation. They hinted that the show is reaching its peak and they’re excited about the potential growth in season three, expressing their sentiment as “onward and upward.

The tale of Númenor, an exceptionally advanced civilization inhabited by mortals, holds a vast and captivating narrative. As showrunner McKay put it, “Númenor is such a big epic story that we’ve been eager to unfold throughout the series from the very beginning.” The plot has reached a boiling point now, with all characters resembling frogs in a pot of water heating up. There are truly exhilarating events ahead for Númenor, and we can’t wait to see where this journey leads next. Each season of the show will introduce more significant worlds within the realm of men in Númenor, and this season will unveil some intriguing twists. However, once these twists are revealed, things are going to get very perilous.

At the moment, we’re keeping you tantalized with sneak peeks, as we’re engrossed in development and are deep into writing. However, I must clarify that we haven’t set a release date yet. So, keep your eyes peeled for updates – hopefully, you’ll be able to see it by 2026!

2024-10-05 00:41