10 Things To Remember Before Season 2

Summary

• Season 1 of
  The Rings of Power
  introduced many new and familiar characters across Middle-earth and Númenor.
• The connection of storylines in season 1 sets the stage for a more interconnected narrative in season 2.
• Characters like Galadriel, Elrond, Celebrimbor, and Isildur play key roles as Sauron’s influence grows.

Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 1 featured numerous characters and storylines that are important to remember before season 2. Taking place thousands of years before The Lord of the Rings, the series had the difficult task of introducing many new and familiar characters located across Middle-earth and Númenor. With The Rings of Power season 1 ending connecting many of the distinct storylines, season 2 will be more interconnected as the overarching narrative moves forward.

Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Harfoots, Ents, Orcs, and all races are affected by the return of Sauron and his diabolical schemes. His return has forever altered the balance of power, leading to the first rings of power being created, and with his influence spreading farther than most realize. Season 1 began with Galadriel being one of the few to believe that the threat of the powerful Sauron still existed, but now, all are caught in the net of his reemergence, making it important to remember where all the prominent characters stand heading into season 2.

10 Galadriel Learned That Halbrand Was Sauron All Along

She Was Deceived By The Enemy She Hunted

One of the main mysteries in The Rings of Power season 1 revolved around which character was secretly Sauron, with Halbrand and the Stranger being the two most likely candidates. Galadriel eventually learned that Halbrand, the man she had trusted, defended, and fought beside throughout season 1, had been Sauron in disguise all along. After spending so many years hunting Sauron, Galadriel was unintentionally the one to aid his return.

Sauron used the form of Halbrand to manipulate Galadriel and wanted her to join him, but she refused his offer. Instead of the human Halbrand, season 2 will see Sauron taking on the elven form of Annatar, which this time is meant to manipulate the elven smith Celebrimbor. Despite her refusal to join him, Galadriel and Sauron have not seen the last of each other, and will clash again in season 2.

9 Three Rings Of Power Were Forged By The Elves

They Are Currently Worn By Galadriel, Elrond, & Celebrimbor

Since the light of Valinor within them was fading, the Elves needed to find a way to find a way to stop this, or forever leave Middle-earth. The mithril that the Dwarves discovered beneath Khazad-dûm provided a solution to this problem, but King Durin III was unwilling to give the precious mineral to the Elves, with Elrond only able to obtain a single piece of it. Using suggestions from Halbrand, whose true identity he did not know, Celebrimbor used the mithril to create three rings of power.

While these three rings have not been corrupted by Sauron, they have laid the groundwork for the seven rings that will be given to the Dwarves and the nine rings given to men that will lead to the creation of the Nazgûl.

They are the first of the magical rings and are, for now, worn by Galadriel, Elrond, and Celebrimbor. While these three rings have not been corrupted by Sauron, they have laid the groundwork for the seven rings that will be given to the Dwarves and the nine rings given to men that will lead to the creation of the Nazgûl. This development also paved the road to Sauron eventually forging the formidable One Ring that will not be destroyed until the end of The Lord of the Rings.

8 The Southlands Were Transformed Into Mordor

The Orcs Have A Home Now

The Rings of Power season 1 saw Adar wanting to create a home for the Orcs, which was achieved by transforming the Southlands into Mordor. Under Adar’s command, the human Waldreg used the blade needed to trigger the volcanic eruption that changed the Southlands from fertile lands into a land with no sunlight and consumed by darkness. The eruption of Mount Doom claimed many lives, including Isildur’s friend Ontamo, and forced the surviving Southland villagers to forever leave their home.

Mordor is where Adar and his Orcs now reside in The Rings of Power season 2. The season 1 finale saw Sauron, still in the form of Halbrand, in Mordor as well, which will become Sauron’s domain. Theo and the other Southland villagers will need to create a new home for themselves, and may also learn that Halbrand, who they believed to be the King of the Southlands, is not the brave and righteous monarch they believed him to be, and will not be their saving grace after all.

7 The Stranger Is Probably Gandalf

“When In Doubt, Always Follow Your Nose.”

While the Stranger did not turn out to be Sauron, he was all but confirmed to be Gandalf. The Stranger was revealed to be an Istar, a wizard sent to Middle-earth to help in the battle against Sauron. When the Stranger’s true nature came to light after his confrontation with the three witch cultists from Rhûn, it was not only his wizardry, but his temperament that was similar to Gandalf’s as a wise individual who is gentle and compassionate around the Harfoots, and formidable against dark forces.

The most telling moment indicating that the Stranger was Gandalf is when he and Nori decided on which direction to take as they headed to Rhûn, and the Stranger advised her, “when in doubt, always follow your nose.” This matches nearly word-for-word with one of Gandalf’s iconic Lord of the Rings quotes. As the Stranger’s journey continues in season 2, it will be intriguing to see if he is explicitly confirmed to be Gandalf, or if there are more clear references indicating that he is an earlier version of the beloved character.

6 The Stranger And Nori Are Headed To Rhûn

The Stranger Seeks Answers About His Past And His Purpose

The Stranger is headed to Rhûn because he believes the mysterious land can help him understand who he is and why he has been sent to Middle-earth. His good nature is indisputable given the choices he made in season 1, and he is clearly an Istar, but he still does not have his memories, know who he is or what his purpose is moving forward. Rhûn is seemingly the key to unlocking the answers to these questions for the Stranger.

He will not be going on this journey alone, as Nori’s family, friends, and community accepted that she is meant for bigger things than the life of a normal Harfoot. Nori is accompanying her friend who she helped throughout season 1, with the genuine bond between the two characters likely deepening in season 2. If the Stranger is indeed Gandalf, his connection with Nori could explain his later fondness and connection with the Hobbits.

5 King Durin III Disowned Prince Durin IV

They Disagree On Fundamental Matters

King Durin III did not respond well to the Elves needing mithril and refused to give it to them. Durin IV, on the other hand, defied his father’s orders, and worked with Elrond to extract the mithril anyway, as he not only wanted to save his friend, but felt it was the Dwarves’ responsibility to help the Elves. As the tension escalated between father and son, Durin III disowned Durin IV, making it clear that he not only disapproved of his son, but no longer recognized him as his heir to the throne.

Durin IV’s wife, Disa, assured him that regardless of what what his father said, Durin IV will still become king one day.

The tension between Durin III and Durin IV will continue in season 2 and heavily influence the narrative trajectory for the Dwarves. Durin III and Durin IV’s relationship will also become further complicated, with Durin III coming to possess a ring of power. The Dwarves did not have to fight the Orcs or any of the darker forces in Middle-earth during season 1, but that is poised to change given the many nefarious powers at play within and beyond the Dwarven kingdoms.

4 There’s A Balrog Beneath Khazad-Dûm

The Greatest Danger Is Under The Dwarves’ Noses

Season 1 teased that one of the greatest threats to the Dwarves resides beneath Khazad-dûm with the Balrog that lurks far below. When King Durin III commanded that the opening to the mithril be closed up, he tossed the leaf from Lindon into the opening, which was seen drifting down into the depths of Khazad-dûm, until it eventually landed and was incinerated by the Balrog. This tease did not have its payoff in season 1 and will likely come back into play in season 2.

Durin III is deeply paranoid and fixated on not helping the Elves, yet he remains ignorant that the real threat to his kingdom is already there. With so much already going on in season 2, and there being a planned five-season arc for the series, there may not be room to fully deal with the Balrog this season 2, but it should at least be acknowledged. The Balrog was shown as early as the season 1 trailer, with the payoff still yet to come two years later.

3 The King Of Númenor Is Dead

Political Strife Will Ensue

Even though his daughter, Queen Regent Míriel, had been ruling Númenor for years, her bedridden father, King Tar-Palantir, was still technically the leader of Númenor. That changed when Míriel left Númenor and sailed to Middle-earth, as her father passed away while she was gone. Even before her absence, Chancellor Ar-Pharazôn was already plotting his rise to power, and his schemes will only escalate now that King Tar-Palantir is officially dead.

Númenor will no longer be the idyllic island nation that Elendil brought Galadriel and Halbrand to in season 1, with the king’s death further opening the floodgates to mayhem and discord.

The king’s death will create political strife and bring Númenor closer to the doom that he foresaw. For Míriel, it will be a significant blow, especially since she was unable to be with him in his final moments, has lost so much since she last saw him, and will now see her authority threatened. Númenor will no longer be the idyllic island nation that Elendil brought Galadriel and Halbrand to in season 1, with the king’s death further opening the floodgates to mayhem and discord.

2 Queen Míriel Lost Her Sight

Her Travels To Middle-Earth Did Not Go As Planned

After the eruption of Mount Doom, Queen Míriel tried to help save Southland villagers from a collapsing, burning building. While doing so, ash from the eruption got into her eyes, thereby blinding her. This revelation came when Míriel asked Elendil how much longer it would be until the smoke cleared, because even though they had left the smoke behind, Míriel could no longer see anything after having lost her sight following the cataclysmic eruption.

Míriel has since had to rely on the loyal Elendil, but she did not regret coming to Middle-earth to help Galadriel and other newfound allies, and vowed to one day return to Middle-earth with greater strength to make their enemies pay for what they had done. Míriel has now returned to Númenor, where she will also have to grapple with her father’s death, and her position being threatened by Pharazôn and those who follow him. Her world has changed completely since she first encountered Galadriel in season 1.

1 Isildur Was Presumed Dead

He Will Get Closer To His Destiny In Season 2

Following the collapse of the burning building where Míriel was blinded, Isildur was nowhere to be found, and was presumed dead. A heartbroken Elendil believed his son had perished and headed back to Númenor without him. Isildur’s horse, Berek, refused to go with Elendil, though, and was last seen galloping off into the distance, which was fitting after Elendil explained to Isildur in season 1 about the bond forged between Isildur and Berek.

Season 2 will reveal what happened to Isildur as he reunites with Berek and fights to survive in Middle-earth, having to fend for himself without the security provided by his father. Isildur is confirmed to be crossing paths with the fearsome spider Shelob, and his allies will consist of season 1’s Arondir, and a new character named Estrid. Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will take Isildur farther down the path of eventually becoming the King of Arnor and Gondor, and being the one to cut the One Ring from Sauron’s hand.