Season 2 of The Rings of Power is here and it’s coming with a vengeance like Sauron himself. Episode 1 wastes no time in diving deep into the Dark Lord’s dark past, and boy is it an experience! If you thought Sauron was always the villain who had the Orcs eating out of his hand, this episode will prove you wrong. It turns out that even Sauron had to earn his reputation in Middle Earth – with one epic betrayal after another.

SPOILER ALERT! SPOILERS FOR RINGS OF POWER BELOW

Adar’s rise and the rebellious Orcs

Let’s start with Adar. I’ll be honest, I always thought this guy just walked in and took charge like he was born to do it. But as The Lord of the Rings has taught us time and time again that things are rarely that simple. It turns out that Adar had to work hard to rise to power, and even the Orcs weren’t necessarily willing to follow him at first. Who would have thought that these creatures had such a rebellious streak? It’s fascinating to see how they resisted Sauron and almost killed him before he finally defeated them.

This showdown was intense, showing Sauron’s tenacity long before he got his hands on the infamous Ring of Power. And let’s not forget that Adar thought he had finished Sauron for good. A classic villain trick – underestimate your opponent and prepare for the turn of the century when Sauron turns up alive and well. Sauron’s sheer determination to survive is on full display here. It’s cruel, it’s raw, and it’s undoubtedly one of the best scenes in the episode.

Sauron’s evolving identity

Speaking of twists, how about the reveal of Sauron’s elf-like appearance? There are many facets to this guy. He starts out looking like an elf lord – lithe, elegant, and deadly. But then he gets utterly destroyed, only to regenerate into something more…human? We get an explanation later as to why he looks human, but that elf form got me thinking: was Sauron originally an elf, or did he just borrow their form to get close to his enemies? Whatever the case, Sauron’s backstory in Rings of Power is a masterpiece of villainy – complex, terrifying, and utterly gripping.

And let’s talk about his disappearance. Adar should have known better. When Sauron’s body disappeared, it was time to worry. It’s almost like the Middle Earth version of a horror movie villain – just when you think they’re down, they come back stronger. The uncanny resemblance between Sauron and Aragorn in this scene is undeniable. It adds another layer of intrigue and makes you wonder if Sauron is just a master at mimicking his enemies, or if there’s something deeper going on.

The cinematic brilliance of “The Rings of Power”

Now let’s take a moment to appreciate the cinematography. Prime Video has really outdone itself this season. The sweeping shots of the mountains give me real Fellowship of the Ring vibes. The scene where Sauron is reborn and then heads out on the boat with the humans is pure visual poetry. The decision to focus on Sauron’s story in the first episode sets the tone for a season that promises to be darker and more intense. Prime Video’s Rings of Power Season 2 offers an epic opening, delving deep into the origins of Sauron with stunning visuals and a gripping narrative.

The scene where Sauron gets his hands on the bag with the symbol of the human kings? Creepy. The origins of such an iconic piece The Lord of the Rings Lore is something fans will freak out about. And let’s not overlook the fact that despite Sauron’s ruthless nature, he almost seems to give the old man a warning before robbing him and leaving him to die. It’s a small moment, but it shows that Sauron is more than just pure evil.

Galadriel, Elrond and the Rings of Power

And what about our old friends Galadriel and Elrond? Their relationship continues to be one of the most fascinating in the series. This horse riding scene felt like an homage to Liv Tyler’s iconic escape from the Nazgûl in The Companions. It’s beautifully filmed, but also reminds us of the burdens these characters carry. Elrond’s change of heart about Halbrand’s true identity is another highlight. It’s like the guy finally realized that keeping secrets isn’t so great. And the Rings of Power – oh man, the appeal of those things is real. The Rings of Power are not just jewelry – they are addictive, corrupting forces that set the stage for a darker Middle-earth.

Elrond’s change of heart regarding Halbrand’s true identity is another highlight. It’s like the guy finally realized that keeping secrets isn’t so great. And the Rings of Power – oh man, the pull of those things is real. Even without wearing them, you can feel their pull, much like the One Ring. This episode does a great job of portraying the Rings as more than just powerful jewelry – they’re addictive, and their power is already starting to corrupt.

An outstanding start to the second season

Overall, this episode is a hit. The creators focused on Sauron from the start, which was a brilliant move. He was the standout character of the first season, and season 2 already gives us more of what we crave. The other characters like Galadriel, Elrond, and the Stranger have their moments too, but let’s be honest – the scenes with Sauron are the highlight of the series.

And let’s not forget the appearance of Ben Daniels as Círdan the Shipwright. This guy was a force to be reckoned with in Foundationand seeing him here as a wise elf is a treat. I look forward to seeing how his story develops – especially since it seems like he has his own plans when it comes to the Rings of Power.

Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 1 is a strong start and sets the stage for an epic season. The stakes are higher, the characters are more complex, and the visuals are stunning. I can’t wait to see what Episode 2 has in store! But it’s exciting to know that we definitely get a season 3.