The Rings of Power is back on Amazon Prime with its second season, and we’re diving even deeper into Middle-earth’s rich lore this time around. Set thousands of years before the events of The Lord of the Rings, this season focuses on the rise of Sauron and the creation of more Rings of Power. While we marveled at the grandeur and visual beauty of the first season, the second promises to ramp up the tension with more political intrigue and darker threats looming.
Filming shifted to the UK, but the grandeur remains intact. With familiar faces returning and new threats emerging, the second season is expected to deliver a gripping continuation of the saga. Stay tuned for episode-wise reviews as we explore how this season unfolds!
The episode opens with Sauron’s bid to reclaim power in Mordor. He declares himself the new master of the Orcs, only for Adar, a fellow dark figure, to challenge him. As the Orcs question Sauron’s leadership, Adar brutally double-crosses him, stabbing Sauron with the very crown he sought to wear. In a dramatic death, Sauron’s blood—black as night—seeps into the ground, waiting to return.
Sauron’s essence eventually reforms into a humanoid mass, emerging from the shadows as Halbrand. On his quest for revenge, Halbrand crosses paths with other survivors and decides to leave behind the ruins of Middle-Earth for a new life across the sea. Meanwhile, Galadriel is captured by the elf guards, facing Gil-Galad’s wrath for keeping secrets about the Rings. She reveals that Halbrand is none other than Sauron, and this information shakes the Elven court.
Elrond, desperate to protect the Rings from Sauron’s corruption, makes a bold choice and escapes with them into the water. At the same time, Adar and Sauron meet again in Mordor. Though imprisoned, Sauron strikes a deal with Adar, setting the stage for future conflicts. Elsewhere, The Stranger and Nori’s journey leads them into more danger as they encounter mysterious powers in the wilderness.
By the end of the episode, the three Rings make their appearance, and Gil-Galad prepares to leave Middle-Earth, as the Elven world seems on the brink of disaster.
This season opener takes its time setting up the many threads we’ll follow, but the pacing feels stretched thin. We start with the return of Sauron, who immediately faces betrayal from Adar, leading to a dramatic, though drawn-out, sequence of resurrection. The Orc storyline here tries to add layers of complexity, but it feels out of place for beings traditionally known as symbols of pure evil. The effort to humanize them, while bold, distracts from the central tension.
The political intrigue within the Elves adds some much-needed stakes, especially as Galadriel’s secrets about Sauron start unraveling. Yet, her storyline feels repetitive, and the dialogue often recycles lines from better-known Tolkien scenes. It’s hard to ignore the episode’s reliance on tropes from the original “Lord of the Rings” films, which weakens its fresh appeal. Even The Stranger and Nori’s magical subplot, while visually exciting, struggles to break free from these familiar rhythms.
That said, the episode’s visual splendor cannot be denied. The landscapes are breathtaking, and the score helps to elevate even the more tedious moments. Despite its missteps, the episode lays the groundwork for potentially gripping conflicts, especially as the Rings come into play and Halbrand’s identity as Sauron looms large. There’s room for the season to recover, but Episode 1 needed more focus and less indulgence in its world-building.
