Rings of Power season 2 shifts to a psychological thriller genre, delving deep into Sauron’s dark influence on characters like Galadriel and Celebrimbor. We finally see Sauron’s true corruptive power in action, creating a personal and terrifying impact on characters that goes beyond large-scale battles. Despite the dark tone, Rings of Power season 2 must still capture the essence of Tolkien’s Middle-earth with a balance of hope and light amidst the darkness.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 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 Rings fans are no strangers to large-scale battles between Elves, Men, Dwarves, and Orcs, so some of Rings of Power season 2 will be nothing new. Instead, it’s the mental warfare that I’m eager to see play out on screen.
During the events of The Rings of Power season 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, the Rings of Power season 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, and Sauron’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 the Rings of Power season 2 trailer was the eerie way Sauron’s dark influence was presented. The collection of clips sees characters like Galadriel 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 even The 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 of Rings of Power season 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 since Lord of the Rings never really got up close and personal with the Dark Lord. The Rings of Power season 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
Custom image by Ryan Northrup
Lord of the Rings was 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 Power has 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 overtly evil role in The Rings of Power season 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 the Rings of Power trailer 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 if he is angry that this tormented Elf doesn’t appreciate the “gifts“ he was given. It’s deliciously terrifying.
The Rings of Power season 2 begins streaming on August 29, 2024.
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 Power season 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 defines The 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 defines The Lord of the Rings.
While the final trailer before the release of Rings of Power season 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, including Galadriel’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 as The Rings of Power‘s story progresses—even as Sauron finally creates his One Ring.
