The finale of The Rings of Power season 2 provides a satisfying resolution to various plot points, addresses significant questions, introduces new theories, and lays the groundwork for expansive storylines in season 3. Since the conclusion of season one, many fans have speculated about the future of The Rings of Power.
As Sauron cunningly navigates his rise to power in Middle-earth, and the free peoples unite against his looming darkness, The Rings of Power season 2 tackles these speculations with a confident narrative centered around the creation of the Rings of Power from The Lord of the Rings.
Adar’s forces clash with Eregion, where Celebrimbor makes his final stand against Sauron. This arc reaches its climax in the season 2 finale of The Rings of Power, bringing most of the cast together for the defense of Eregion. Elrond and the elves fend off an onslaught of orcs while Sauron, in his bid for the Rings of Power, faces off against Galadriel in pursuit of the Nine Rings of Men.
Season 2 concludes with The Stranger discovering his identity, the dwarves of Khazad-dûm witnessing the fiery doom lurking beneath them, and the men of Númenor grappling with ongoing internal power struggles.
Who is this Stranger? The Greatest Mystery Finally Solved
The identity of The Stranger emerged as the most significant twist revealed after The Rings of Power season 2. Many fans theorized that The Stranger might be an early incarnation of Gandalf the Grey, one of the Istari from The Lord of the Rings.
Questions arose regarding Gandalf’s existence during Middle-earth’s Second Age, but these doubts were dispelled through numerous clever references and Easter eggs related to the wandering grey wizard. Ultimately, The Stranger is confirmed to be Gandalf in the season 2 finale of The Rings of Power, albeit with some skepticism towards Tolkien’s original narrative.
While expectations were high due to the many clear nods to the legendary wizard, alternative theories suggested that The Stranger and his Dark Wizard counterpart could be two of the less-mentioned Blue Wizards from Tolkien’s lore.
However, The Stranger’s identity as Olórin—the Gandalf of the Second Age—is established through Stoors’ references to him as Grand-Elf, the revelation of his staff, and the confrontation with the Dark Wizard.
How Galadriel Escapes Her Death After Fall?
The fate of the Nine Rings of Men represents another crucial plot point in The Rings of Power season 2 finale. When the episode opens, Galadriel possesses the Rings and is striving to escape Eregion while saving as many lives as possible.
Eventually, Sauron confronts her, leading to a fierce battle where he claims the Nine Rings amid a flurry of promises of power, treachery, and emotional turmoil. As Galadriel teeters on the edge of a cliff overlooking Eregion, he demands her ring, Nenya.
It’s later revealed that Galadriel survived her fall, raising the question of how she managed to do so. The secret lies within the elven Rings of Power, as suggested throughout season 2 of The Rings of Power. It has been demonstrated that the Elven Rings—particularly Galadriel’s—possess remarkable healing properties.
Galadriel likely survived because she was wielding the Ring at the time of her jump. The combined powers of Gil-galad’s Rings and hers probably mended the injuries inflicted by Sauron’s assault.
Sauron uses the Nine Rings of The Rings of Power to Set up His Story for The Rings of Power Season 3
Sauron seizes the Nine Rings of Men in The Rings of Power season 2 and plots to forge rings for the dwarves. This development lays the groundwork for his storyline in season 3, connecting it to the Nazgûl featured in The Lord of the Rings.
With the Nine Rings of Power in his arsenal, Sauron will seek out the lords of men whom he intends to bend to his will. This narrative thread will be further explored in season three of The Rings of Power.
To transform them into the nine Nazgûl depicted in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Sauron must locate individuals to whom he can give the Rings. While it’s uncertain who these individuals may be, the creation of the One Ring from The Lord of the Rings and the assembly of the Ringwraiths is certainly part of Sauron’s grand design.
Why Adar Changes for the Better in the Finale of Rings of Power?
The Rings of Power season 2 closes with Adar’s demise, occurring just before his crucial showdown with Galadriel. As speculated throughout the season, Adar meets his end at the hands of his own orcs, who remain loyal to Sauron. However, just prior to this demise, Adar experiences a significant transformation.
In episode 7 of season 2, Adar appears as a noble elf after securing Galadriel’s Ring. Witnessing the losses of many of his Uruk children prompts him to reflect on the folly of his previous decisions.
This shift in perspective is further influenced by the Ring’s power, steering his desire towards peace between the elves and the Uruk. Although he still hopes to join forces with Galadriel to defeat Sauron, Adar vows to return his army to Mordor and herald a new era of unity among the races of Middle-earth. Tragically, this ceasefire is shattered when Adar is slain by his orcs.
Rivendell is Introduced at the End of The Rings of Power
By the conclusion of The Rings of Power season 2, the elven city has been ravaged, and the Siege of Eregion has concluded. Nonetheless, many inhabitants managed to escape as an influx of dwarves arrived to confront the orcs.
The elves retreated to a hidden valley in the Misty Mountains, guided by Elrond, Gil-galad, Arondir, and Galadriel. This valley eventually transforms into Rivendell, the renowned bastion of Elrond described in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
Is Saruman the Dark Wizard of the Rings of Power?
Further details about the Dark Wizard surfaced after The Rings of Power season 2, particularly from Rhûn in Middle-earth. The wizard intervenes to stop the Dark Wizard and his minions from inflicting harm on the Stoors, Nori, and Poppy while uncovering Gandalf’s true identity.
The valiant Istari discovers that the Dark Wizard plans to aid Gandalf in defeating Sauron, filling the power vacuum left behind by his malevolent counterpart. This revelation triggers a brief confrontation where the Dark Wizard attempts to eliminate the Stoors before fleeing.
The Dark Wizard’s true identity and connection to Gandalf in The Rings of Power remain ambiguous. Some early hints suggest that this Dark Wizard could be one of the previously mentioned Blue Wizards.
Will The Balrog come back in Season 3 of The Rings of Power?
A gripping encounter between Durin IV and his father set the tone for the opening of Rings of Power season 2. Influenced by the Ring’s power, Durin III breached the mountain, uncovering a chasm filled with Mithril.
This chasm also harbors the Balrog, a demon of shadow and flame often foreshadowed as the bane of the dwarves. Thus, while the Balrog’s appearance in The Rings of Power season 3 might be limited, it strongly indicates a return.
In Tolkien’s legendarium, the Balrog was destined to bring about the downfall of Khazad-dûm in the Third Age. In The Rings of Power, this legendary creature is hinted to signify the ruin of Moria during the Second Age. The finale of season 2 heavily implies the Balrog’s comeback in forthcoming seasons, particularly in season 3.
The True Significance Of The Season 2 Finale In The Rings of Power
The passing of Celebrimbor serves as one of the most poignant moments at the end of The Rings of Power season 2. Celebrimbor is murdered by Sauron after enduring torture to reveal the location of the Nine Rings. This tragic conclusion is particularly heartbreaking considering Celebrimbor’s sorrowful history, and the real significance of the finale of The Rings of Power season 2 pays tribute to the greatest of the elven smiths.
The central theme of The Rings of Power emphasizes that light prevails over darkness, not mere strength, as Celebrimbor articulated during the Siege of Eregion. Celebrimbor’s insights continue to resonate through the show’s narratives, which are often overshadowed by Sauron’s malevolence.
Nonetheless, in season 3, the free peoples of Middle-earth will rally against this darkness, as the portraying characters persistently remind both themselves and the audience that Celebrimbor’s wisdom rings true—that only light can dispel shadow.
About The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is an American television series based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, developed by J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay for streaming on Amazon Prime.
Set 3,000 years prior to the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the show is centered around the Second Age of Middle-earth. It unfolds during a period of tranquility, capturing the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron and the crafting of the Rings of Power.
The cast features talents like Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, and Dylan Smith, among others.
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