Do you recall the captivating prologue by Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring? Did it leave you curious about the Elven King Gil-Galad, Elendil, Isildur, or even the backstory of Elrond before his transformation into the sagacious figure we encounter in the films? Luckily, The Rings of Power is here to expand on these tales and much more.
The LOTR films take place in the Third Age of Tolkien’s Middle-earth, providing only a brief overview of the Rings of Power’s creation and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men versus Sauron. In contrast, The Rings of Power is set in the Second Age and delves deeper into the narratives that set the stage for the events of LOTR. This series reveals important backstories of beloved characters, showcasing how they evolved into the personas we recognize in the Third Age. You might be astonished by their age and the vibrant, unblemished existence they led millennia ago before the trials of warfare, sorrow, and the passage of time wore them down. Especially for Sauron, who has not yet suffered the destruction of his physical form!
Curious about which iconic Lord of the Rings characters are featured in The Rings of Power? Here’s a breakdown!
Sauron
In the season finale of the first season, Halbrand (Charlie Vickers) confesses to Galadriel his true identity as Sauron, claiming he has existed since the first silence. This is no exaggeration! Did you know he once transformed into a werewolf and a vampire? During the Second Age, he deceives the world by adopting the alluring elven guise of Annatar, the Lord of Gifts, showcasing his shapeshifting abilities.
Galadriel
Though she may not hold the title of the oldest elf in Middle-earth, Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) from the golden lineage of Finarfin has witnessed the light of the Two Trees of Valinor prior to the devastation caused by Morgoth and his ally, Ungoliant, during the First Age. This unique experience makes her extraordinary. In the LOTR films, Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) presents an aura of mystery and reverence.
The Rings of Power reveals her tumultuous spirit before she became the enlightened Lady of Light, explaining the significance of the “test”she referenced to Frodo when he offered her the One Ring. Since the timeline is somewhat flexible, we might also see her journey of establishing Lothlórien alongside Celeborn and the arrival of their daughter, Celebrían!
Elrond
The Elrond (Robert Aramayo) in The Rings of Power radiates youthful exuberance compared to the more reserved Master Elrond we meet in LOTR. The latter is slightly jaded and hardened by trials. Remember, he is a ringbearer in the Third Age! But what shapes him into this character? How did Rivendell come to be? What is the story behind his love for Celebrían and his suspicion towards dwarves regarding the One Ring? The Rings of Power provides insights into a younger version of Elrond as he navigates challenges leading to his evolution into the wise Master Elrond (Hugo Weaving) we recognize from the films.
Gandalf
In terms of canon, Gandalf (Daniel Weyman) technically shouldn’t be appearing in the narrative at this early point in the Second Age, as the Istari reach Middle-earth during the Third Age. However, The Rings of Power takes a unique approach, offering us a fascinating exploration into Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and revealing the origins of his wisdom and humility, as well as his admiration for hobbits as companions on adventures. The series also enhances our understanding of his larger destiny in Middle-earth and the scope of his powers and limitations. We may eventually uncover the backgrounds of other Istari, such as Saruman and Radagast!
Elendil
The legendary Elendil (Peter McKenzie), who makes a brief but impactful appearance in the LOTR films’ prologue, wields the sword Narsil. It is this shattered blade that his son Isildur uses to sever the One Ring from Sauron’s hand during the Last Alliance—an iconic moment in the history of the One Ring. The Rings of Power delves deeper into the life of Elendil (Lloyd Owen) of Númenor, revealing his journey from single parenthood and being a faithful man to his rise as the leader of Gondor and Arnor, as he allied with High King Gil-galad against Sauron.
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A direct ancestor of Aragorn, Isildur (Harry Sinclair) instills dread in Sauron until his demise! While he may not have made the most honorable choice—refusing to dispose of the One Ring in Mount Doom, thus ensuring Sauron’s lasting presence into the Third Age—his character is portrayed more deeply in The Rings of Power (played by Maxim Baldry). We observe a tragic hero who triumphed in battle but faltered in war, grappling with personal loss and the darkness that the Ring beckoned.
Gil-galad
Did you know that Tolkien penned a poem about the Elven King Gil-galad? The LOTR film prologue only gives a fleeting glimpse of him, noting his role in forming the Last Alliance of Elves and Men alongside Elendil, and that Elrond commanded his forces. Notably, what the film misses is that Gil-galad (Mark Ferguson) was the inaugural bearer of Vilya, the Elven Ring of Air, which later belonged to Elrond. Fortunately, The Rings of Power presents a nuanced depiction of the Noldorian High King (Benjamin Walker), exploring his perspectives on Sauron, the Rings of Power, and his connections with Elrond and Galadriel.
Círdan
Círdan, one of the most intriguing elven characters in Tolkien’s lore, is among the ancient beings who have witnessed the world from the First Age to the Fourth Age, when he finally sails away from the Grey Havens to the Undying Lands after Aragorn’s passing. In The Fellowship of the Ring and The Return of the King, he silently observes the events but is never named. However, in The Rings of Power season 2, Círdan (Ben Daniels) emerges as a sagacious, fatherly figure possessing foresight, providing guidance to other elves, including King Gil-galad. Círdan’s narrative ties into the lore revealing his eventual passing down of the elven ring Narya to Gandalf!
Shelob the Spider
Ah, Shelob! We encounter her fearsome presence in The Return of the King at Cirith Ungol (the Pass of the Spider) where she attempts to make a meal of Frodo. Despite Sam’s efforts to harm her, her fate remains uncertain in both the books and films. Yet, her young appearance in The Rings of Power was undoubtedly a delightful surprise!
Besides the characters already mentioned, there are numerous others poised to potentially appear in future seasons of The Rings of Power.
Celeborn
Though many criticize The Rings of Power for its depiction of the relationship between Sauron and Galadriel, some may be eager to see the storyline progress. There are hints that Celeborn, Galadriel’s husband, will soon make an appearance. Establishing the background of his absence while Galadriel encountered the Dark Lord’s influence will be intriguing. Moreover, the creation of Lothlórien and the birth of Celebrían are on the horizon, keeping viewers eagerly waiting!
A Few of The Nazgûl
As Rings of Power season 2 wraps up, with Ar-Pharazôn’s (Trystan Gravelle) vision of Halbrand as Sauron in the palantir, it signals imminent warfare from Númenor against the power of LOTR. According to lore, the nine Nazgûl were originally nine kings of Men, three of whom hailed from Númenor. Speculation is rife about potential contenders for the role of a Nazgûl, such as Kemen (Leon Wadham), the son of Pharazôn, or perhaps an unexpected twist with Eärien (Ema Horvath).
The King of the Dead
Recall that in The Return of the King, the King of the Dead (Paul Norell) broke his oath to Isildur, refusing to aid him despite prior commitments. As The Rings of Power explores Isildur’s backstory, it will be fascinating to examine the reasons behind this betrayal. Such a betrayal would undoubtedly wound Isildur deeply if it came from someone he held in high esteem. With the bonds established in the series between Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin), who is the Lord of Pelargir as Arondir claims, and Isildur, speculation arises that Theo may evolve into this King in the future! It’s intriguing to think this LOTR character could surface in The Rings of Power.
The Istari
As we have already seen Gandalf in the Second Age on The Rings of Power, it raises the question of whether the Dark Wizard is one of the Blue Wizards since he appears knowledgeable about the Istari. Might we eventually catch glimpses of other wizards from this order, such as Saruman (Sir Christopher Lee)?
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