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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of PowerSeason 2 was a rollercoaster ride from start to finish, marking an improvement over the show when compared to the first season. A lot of story arcs were wrapped up this season, which started in Season 1, and the way the major wars and battles were shown gave even the Peter Jackson movies a run for their money.
From the Balrog in Khazad Dum to the battle of the orcs versus the city of Eregion, The Rings of Power did not shy away from telling a glorious story. Even Sauron’s trickery was amazing to see, as we find out exactly why he’s called such a manipulator, managing to even trick himself. The ending had standout performances and huge reveals that have to be explored further.
The Stranger Is Revealed To Be Gandalf
Fans of The Rings of Powerhave been speculating since the start about the identity of the mysterious Stranger.
With his cloak andsimilar powers to Gandalfand a growing bond with hobbits,the signs were there all along, and in the end, the series finally confirmed what everyone suspected:The Stranger is indeed Gandalf.
This revelation ties together several iconic elements,such as his famous linesand hisconnection with the hobbits.
There’s even a hint that his name, Gandalf, might have come from hobbitscalling him a ‘Grand-Elf’.
While the build-up to this revealstretched over two seasons, it certainly leaves room forGandalf’s story to be explored further, as he embraces his role inshaping the fate of Middle-earthfrom here on out.
Galadriel Versus Sauron
One of the most dramatic moments in The Rings of Power Season 2 comes with the intense showdownbetween Galadriel and Sauron.
This battle isn’t just physical, it’salso a psychological struggle. Sauron toys with Galadriel,shifting into various forms, including Halbrand and even a version of Galadriel herself,to mock her vulnerabilities.
Despite his near-godlike status,Sauron doesn’t overpower Galadriel easily, as she resists his attempts to take her ring, Nenya.
ThoughSauron stabs Galadrielduring the fight, she outsmarts himby jumping from a cliff, keeping him from claiming her ring of power. Eventually, the Elves find Galadriel andheal her woundsbefore establishinga new Elven sanctuary, Rivendell from Lord of the Rings.
Míriel Gives Elendil A Sword
In another crucial scene from the finale,Queen Míriel presents Elendil with a sword, a gesture that reinforceshis importance to the future of Middle-earth.
Elendil is set to becomeone of the greatest leaders in the fight against Sauron, and this moment is a nod to his destiny,foreshadowing his eventual rolein foundingthe kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor.
The giving of the sword isnot just about the weapon itself,but also the passing of leadership to Elendil, as Numenor faces increasing conflict.
Another important thing about this sword is its name, Narsil,and it is the very sword that Isildur eventually uses tocut the one ring off of Sauron’s hand.
Adar’s Fair Form
Adar, the Uruk who seeks to carve out his own realm for his children, the orcs, once had a fair, Elven form.
Beforebeing twisted by Morgoth’s dark powers, Adar was one of the corrupted Elves, likely one of the earliest Uruks. His original beauty was stripped awayas he was reshaped in Morgoth’s image.
The finalereveals Adar’s fateas he regainshis fair form with the Ring of Power, Nenya, and realizes thathe must ally with the Elvesto secure a safe future for the orcs. But this doesn’t last very long, as he is eventually killedby his very childrenas theybetray him for Sauron’s leadership.
Khazad-dum,the grand Dwarven kingdom, plays a crucial role in The Rings of Power. However, Season 2 shows that this once-thriving cityis on the brink of a significant turning point.
The growing tensionwithin the Dwarven royal family, especially between King Durin III and his son Prince Durin IV, foreshadows major internal strife. When King Durinis gifted a ring of power by Sauronand Celebrimbor,he’s easily corruptedand wants toexpand the riches of his kingdom.
In the finale, however,he rejects the ring in his final momentsand fights the Balrog,which leads to his death.
This huge change in leadership and the fact that theBalrog is now a looming threatspells disaster for Khazad Dum, and we are yet to see what happens tothis kingdom in the future.
Season 2 Ending, Explained
The Season 2 finaleleaves Middle-earth in a state of disarray, with major characters preparing for greater battles ahead. Galadriel has survived her confrontation with Sauron,but the war is far from over.
With the Nine Rings now in Sauron’s possession andGandalf beginning to understand his true purpose, the stage is set for the War of the Rings.
The Dwarves of Khazad-dum face their own strugglesover the use of Mithriland Numenor’s rolein the fight against Sauronis yet to be covered. Regardless, thefoundations for the rise of Sauron’s powerhave been laid, and the future of Middle-earth is to be explored in future seasons fully from here on out.
