This article from the Prime Video series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022), Season 2, Episode 2 contains significant spoilers.

This is another outstanding episode of The Rings of Power which got off to a brilliant start. In the second episode of the second season, Sauron/Halbrand arrive at the door of the elven master craftsman Celebrimbor. The stranger and his two hobbit friends Nori and Poppy also continue their dangerous journey through the Rhûn Desert.

The most significant development of the plot in The Rings of Power The storyline introduces a new character who rules over the land of Rhûn, a vast region in the far east of Middle Earth. This character is the Black Wizard, a new character introduced by the showrunners, who said that “the new character is rooted in the temptations of Gandalf and Saruman in the face of great power.”

Prime Video The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 2: Who is the dark wizard?

It appears that the Dark Wizard (played by Oscar nominee Ciaran Hinds) is the leader of Rhun. He is approached by one of the three women who have begun wandering Middle Earth in search of Sauron by pursuing the stranger known as the Dweller (Bridie Sisson). She reports that Sauron has taken on a new form.

The dark wizard also informs the resident that he has heard from looters and thieves that a man in rags and wearing two half-links is wandering the desert. She tries to tell her master that they are lost, but he reminds her that they must find him before he learns to use his powers. The dark wizard then informs his “acolyte” that a mere mortal tracker is to bring the stranger to him.

What happens to Khazad-dûm?

The city (also known as Moria) experiences a natural disaster. The walls and roof begin to collapse due to a tremor. One of King Durin III’s advisors explains that the ground shifted, sounding like an earthquake, causing the city’s sunbeams to collapse and crops to cease growing. The Princess of Khazad-dûm, Disa, daughter-in-law of the king and wife of Durin IV, has a plan.

Disa is an original character in the series. She is part of the Stonesingers who try to find light with their voices. However, they fail and King Durin III reprimands Disa for her failure. Disa turns to her husband, Prince Durin IV, who has not spoken to his father since the king rejected Elrond’s marriage proposal. She tells her husband that she is afraid and that he must apologize to his father.

Why does Elrond refuse Galadriel’s request?

Elrond refuses Galadriel’s (Morfydd Clark) request to speak to the High King because, he says, they all collaborated with Sauron willingly. Elrond states this is because they ignored his warnings. These rings are just small pawns in a larger plan. He then tells his old friend that if she had anything for him, she would leave immediately.

Elrond then seeks advice and turns to Círdan, the wise man who betrayed Elrond by not throwing the Rings into the dark water. Círdan, twirling his hand with the Ring of Fire on his finger, explains to Elrond that he is using fear to stop progress, in other words using the Rings not for good but for evil.

Is the “stranger” Gandalf the Grey?

Well, it really does look like he is Gandolf. The stranger faints in the desert, but Nori and Poppy see a water well. They pull him up and pull up a bucket of water. As they pour the water into his mouth, the rope in the well falls in and rings a bell hanging above the watering hole. This alerts the Dark Wizard’s mortal bounty hunters, who find the three there.

Then the stranger picks up a staff that strangely resembles Gandalf’s. The Lord of the Rings. He then does a “You can’t get past here” trick by slamming the staff on the ground, causing a tornado. Luckily for them, this scares the hunting team away. Unfortunately, Poppy and Nori are swept away like Dorothy and Toto when the staff disintegrates in his hand.

Prime Video The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Explanation of the end of season 2, episode 2: Who is Annatar, the Giftsharer?

The Rings of Power The second episode ends with Sauron becoming Annatar, the Distributor of Gifts. He manipulates Celebrimbor after the inventor comes to Halibrand to tell him that he must leave or he will be dragged away by force. However, Sauron asks him if he has spoken to Galadriel, who he knows about because he intercepted her message.

Sauron (Charlie Vickers) also asks if he has spoken to the High King, but he knows that the Elf must speak to him. He is invited to Celebrimbor’s home and tells him that he is Sauron. He also mentions that he is trying to save Middle Earth from destruction. The Elf does not believe him, so Sauron transforms into a new, long-blond Elf named Annatar.

The Giftgiver then tells the Master that there is work to be done. The High King also tells Galadriel that she will be assigned to a team led by Elrond.

Is there a post-credit scene in Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 2?

No, there is no post-credits scene in the second episode of the season.

You can stream the new season of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” exclusively on Prime Video.

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