The Rings of Power Season 2 has a 20-minute cold open sequence that has wowed audiences globally. It explores Sauron's ride from the First Age to the Second Age. This also gives fans a peek at what makes Middle-earth's notorious Dark Lord tick and reveals how his obsession with power started.
Showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay mentioned that they originally wanted to include the sequence in season one. But they decided to hold off until the season 2 premiere to give the story more room to grow.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter on August 30, 2024, Payne shared:
“It liberated us to tell it the way it felt like it needed to be told.”
The creators dug into the elements that shaped Sauron, such as betrayal, pain, and a messed-up idea of heroism. This new background adds a lot to the lore of The Rings of Power and gives viewers a fresh perspective of Season 1, looking at the Dark Lord's journey in a whole new light.
As Payne and McKay unlock Tolkien's complex world, fans will get an opportunity to unravel twists that impact the upcoming battles.
Sauron and Adar's rivalry on The Rings of Power
The Rings of Power Season 2 is about the clash between Sauron and Adar. The first episode sets the stage for this showdown. It starts with a surprising twist where Adar, played by Sam Hazeldine, betrays Sauron and leads the Orcs in a fierce attack. This betrayal takes Sauron down for good and initiates a bitter rivalry for centuries.
Payne shared the following with Yahoo Entertainment UK on August 29, 2024:
"We wanted to go back to the beginning of their relationship."
Charlie Vickers, who plays Sauron, opined that the relationship was complex. Even though Adar attempts to eliminate Sauron, the Dark Lord's ability to come back from the dead makes him a challenging adversary.
"There's this unspoken thing going on beneath the surface," Vickers noted.
As the season progresses, fans can look forward to chaotic moments as Sauron and Adar battle it out for control of Middle-earth.
The Rings of Power: Annatar’s deception to forge rings
Sauron's comeback is foiled by how he tricks Celebrimbor, the Elven smith who made The Rings of Power. Posing as Annatar, the "Lord of Gifts," Sauron pulls a fast one on Celebrimbor. This gets him to create the powerful rings that would help him take control of Middle-earth.
Charles Edwards, who plays Celebrimbor, is excited about bringing this legendary story to life.
"It's been a joy," Edwards told Yahoo Entertainment UK.
Owain Arthur and Sophia Nomvete play the Dwarven royals, Prince Durin and Princess Disa. They meet Annatar in the early episodes of season 2.
"It's great because we build different worlds, and when they come together, it's so exciting," Arthur remarked.
The first three episodes of The Rings of Power season 2 are on Prime Video. New episodes drop every Thursday until the finale on October 3.
Stay tuned to Soap Central for the latest about season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
