Summary
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseason 2 looks of an entirely different genre than the first season, and I’m pretty pumped for it. While the Prime Video series' first installment was used to set the tone of Middle-earth’s temporary period of fragile peace, this next batch of episodes will see Sauron’s destruction begin. Of course,Lord of the Ringsfans are no strangers to large-scale battles between Elves, Men, Dwarves, and Orcs, so some ofRings of Powerseason 2 will be nothing new. Instead,it’s the mental warfare that I’m eager to see play outon screen.
During the events ofThe Rings of Powerseason 1, Galadriel was tricked into a friendship with Sauron, believing that he was a man called Halbrand. Following this great revelation, Celebrimbor crafted the Three Elven Rings (without Sauron’s knowledge), but these were the only titular Rings of Power seen in this first installment. Now, theRings of Powerseason 2 trailer teases the creation of the rest of Sauron’s Rings, which will kick up the intensity for the coming episodes. This is the moment we have been waiting for, andSauron’s own influence is being represented as never before.
Rings Of Power Season 2 Looks Like A Psychological Thriller
Sauron Preys On Celebrimbor & Galadriel’s Minds
What got me the most excited in theRings of Powerseason 2 trailerwas the eerie way Sauron’s dark influence was presented. The collection of clips sees characters likeGaladriel and Celebrimbor in utter terror as they fight against Sauron’s power, but this isn’t the kind of fight we saw in season 1 or evenThe Lord of the Rings. Celebrimbor’s sense of reality seems entirely distorted, and his confusion climbs as he begs Sauron—or Annatar—to reveal what he has done to him. Something similar is seen with Galadriel, who weeps in desperation as Sauron whispers her name.
The tone of this trailer is significantly different from that ofRings of Powerseason 1. I felt like I was watching a teaser for a psychological thriller, and a pretty good one at that. I’m thrilled at this concept since it is very similar to how Tolkien described Sauron’s corruptive power. However, we never saw this in action sinceLord of the Ringsnever really got up close and personal with the Dark Lord.The Rings of Powerseason 2 is a chance to finally see what all the fuss was about.
Sauron’s Corruptive Power Is Finally Getting Personal
We’ve Never Really Seen The True Impact Of Sauron’s Power
Lord of the Ringswas told from a limited perspective and was set during a time when Sauron was still attempting to get back to his full strength. Of course, we knew he was bad, and Tolkien filled readers in on why the villain was so horrible. However, he was an invisible force to Frodo (and readers).The Rings of Powerhas always been a chance to see the villain’s true face—to retroactively understand the threat he posed to Middle-earth on a more personal level. Of course, season 1 surprised us by introducing Halbrand, a character that humanized the Dark Lord instead.
Halbrand was downright likable, which makes his overtlyevil role inThe Rings of Powerseason 2 all the more thrilling. He becomes the characters' friend and earns their trust, only to attempt to control them and distort how they see the world around them. To make this even more like a psychological thriller, it appears in theRings of Powertrailer that Sauron still genuinely believes he is doing what is best for Middle-earth, telling Celebrimbor, “I am the one keeping the storm at bay.” It’s as ifhe is angry that this tormented Elf doesn’t appreciate the “gifts"he was given. It’s deliciously terrifying.
The Rings of Powerseason 2 begins streaming on June 05, 2025.
Rings Of Power Season 2 Will Still Have To Find A Balance
Rings Of Power Must Still Feel Like Lord Of The Rings
As excited as I am to see Sauron participate in dark and terrifying psychological warfare,The Rings of Powerseason 2 can’t look like a horror movie through and through. The flavor of Middle-earth, which was well established in season 1, must still be present. Even while the people of the Second Age begin to bend and crack under Sauron’s dark shadow, there must be that sliver of hope that definesThe Lord of the Rings—the beauty of this fictional world that makes the fight worth it.
Even while the people of the Second Age begin to bend and crack under Sauron’s dark shadow, there must be that sliver of hope that definesThe Lord of the Rings.
While the final trailer before the release ofRings of Powerseason 2 is full of darkness, other teasers have hinted that this won’t be all. The Seige of Eregion will be dark and deadly, but the hopeful journey of Nori and The Stranger will surely bring some levity to the story.The Three Elven Rings, includingGaladriel’s Nenya, are also specially crafted to bring light, hope, preservation, and protection to Middle-earth. They are sure to be a beacon of hope asThe Rings of Power’s story progresses—even as Sauron finally creates his One Ring.
