Lord of The Rings: Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 8 recap: What happened in the season finale?

The Season 2 finale of Lord of The Rings: Rings of Power does a pretty good job of tying up loose ends, answering big questions, and sparking new theories, but it also sets the stage for massive storylines from which Season 3 will pick up. In Lord of The Rings Season 2 we see that nearly every corner of Middle-earth is threatened by danger, and several major characters have met their demise.

By the second season finale of Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, a major question is answered. The Stranger is indeed Gandalf the Wizard, but that does not necessarily mean that the Dark Wizard is who we expect him to be. By the end of season 2, The Rings were made, but the person who created the ring is dead. Conversely, a confirmed fire demon has also been unleashed and the Dwarf King has paid the ultimate price for his greed.

Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power Season 2 finale confirms the stranger's identity

Stranger's identity is confirmed (Image via Prime Video)

In the finale of Lord of The Rings: Rings of Power, we find out that the mysterious figure called the stranger is indeed Gandalf. The Dark Wizard meets Gandalf at the end. The Dark Wizard lets it be known that he knows who the Stranger is, as he calls him his "old friend." He also says that there were five of them but doesn’t let the stranger completely know his identity. The Stranger isn't interested in what he has to say and he rejects him for endangering Poppy Proudfellow and Nori Brandyfoot.

Later, the crowd bids farewell to the Stranger; this time they call him "the great elf," a name that stirs something in him. He soon finds his staff when it appears in the House of Stores, and in due course, understands that it was his way of finding them all along. Once more the Stranger crosses Rhun to meet Tom Bombadil. When the two meet in Bombadil's hut, Bombadil says:

"A wizard does not find his staff, it finds him, like his name."

That is when the stranger tells the viewers about his identity;

"Gandalf, that’s what they’re going to call me, isn’t it?"

Sauran kills Celebrimbor in Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power Season 2

Sauran kills Celebrimbor (Image via Prime Video)

Darkness reigned in the elven city in season 2 of Lord of The Rings: Rings of Power. Auron, still at large remains more powerful than ever, He still is a major concern in terms of the ongoing situation. However, what happens to Celebrimbor and Galadriel towards the end has an immense impact on him.

Finally, the season-long tragedy of Celebrimbor ended in the faithful adaptation of JRR Tolkien's original story. Celebrimbor died at the hands of Sauron in his final act, as he shot arrows into him repeatedly, torturing him to reveal the whereabouts of the remaining nine rings meant for men. When the craftsman refused to give the information, Sauron impaled him on a spear against a pillar of his destroyed workshop.

Celebrimbor intentionally goaded Sauron into killing him to be free of the constant manipulation and torture.

Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power Season 2- Sauron’s real intention is known

Sauron unleashes his true self (Image via Prime Video)

The battle for Eregion becomes rough in Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2. Sauron kills Celebrimbor, after knowing that he does not possess the nine rings. In a father-son quarrel, Adar is killed by his lieutenant, Glûg, who prefers his master to be a better father to the Orcs. More Elven lives are lost in the war, for Sauron wants his newly created Uruk to make the heroes pay.

Shockingly, Sauron betrays the Uruk again. He kills Glûg and shows the orcs that he has not played the role of leader or father who might have cared for them as Adar had. Sauron is a monster who would selfishly use the orcs as pawns in his cause, but he will discard them when they no longer serve his purpose.

However, Sauron attains the nine rings of Galadriel, which propels him on his own quest. It is here that he intends to find the men for these rings and to form a new army once Eregion falls and burns.

Season 2 of Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power ending introduces us to Rivendell

Season 2's ending introduces us to Rivendell (Image via Prime Video)

The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power Season 2 concludes with the destruction of the Elven city. The surviving citizens, led by Elrond, Gil-galad, Arondir, and Galadriel, flee to a hidden valley in the Misty Mountains. This valley will become Rivendell, Elrond's stronghold.