The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episodes 1-3 Review: The Story Finally Unravels

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 1 started off shaky with a grand story that left several narrative threads open to explore later on.

From the forging of the titular Rings to the mysterious Stranger finally having his own path to walk, the show felt like it was quickly marching on the important details. With The Rings of Power Season 2 Episodes 1-3, “Elven Kings Under the Sky/Where the Stars are Strange/The Eagle and the Sceptre,” it does feel like the story is beginning to take shape with its many moving pieces.

As such, the Season 2 premiere is turning things in the right direction.

The Best of The Rings Of Power

The first three episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 allow these heroes of Middle-earth to shine, especially in the case of Galadriel.

Rather than having to go through the motions of negotiations, it finally feels like Galadriel is able to stand out on her own.

Morfydd Clark gives Galadriel a newfound sense of independence as she seeks to prove that she can take down Sauron. No longer does it feel like Galadriel is bounded by Sauron’s lies or High King Gil-galand’s word. She has this determination that makes her a formidable force.

However, she knows she cannot do it alone without a friend like Elrond.

On the topic of Elrond, he has definitely developed an engrossing paranoia about Sauron and the Rings.

Even though it’s not for the wrong reasons, it certainly feels as if his new conflict restrains his friendship with Galadriel. Robert Aramayo is able to push Elrond to the limit emotionally, much to the success of his storylines.

For other characters, including Owain Arthur’s Prince Durin IV and Sophia Nomvete’s Princess Disa, The Rings of Power Season 2 confidently fits them into the overarching narrative.

They still might be dealing with their own problems, but the presence of Sauron is driving these characters into darker places. The two have this gradual development, but things overall might be moving a bit too fast for this aspect of Middle-earth to catch up.

Unfortunately, Isildur, Arondir, and Theo are not given much to do this season thus far.

Unlike in Season 1, when they were heavily involved in the fight for the Southlands, the three of them are relegated to being elements that keep the plot moving. They only appear on the episode “The Eagle and the Sceptre,” which centers around their hunt for Isildur’s horse.

It feels like the show should have moved on from these characters altogether.

However, The Rings of Power Season 2 still suffers from setting up exposition to inevitable events and serialized characterizations. As the show continues, more lore gets dropped in scenes that become a bit storyline-heavy.

However, some characterized moments come off as authentic — albeit with dialogue that feels too metaphorically royal. Nonetheless, most characters still have something to offer this season, especially with Sauron.

Sauron’s Influence Lingers On

As foreseen, The Rings of Power Season 2 still has Sauron lingering about. The first episode mostly follows Sauron in the lead-up and the aftermath of Season 1. Fortunately, this means that the show can get on with increasing the tension.

The first season felt like it had to tread through rough ground to get to the big confrontation between Galadriel and Sauron.

However, these three episodes are propelled by Sauron’s exposed presence first introduced on “Elven Kings Under the Sky.” The inner conflict of morality and the Rings’ purity between Gil-galand and Elrond can have weight because of it.

Each storyline, from the Dwarves to Celebrimbor’s forging, almost has its own deceptive, conspiratorial undertone thanks to Sauron’s influence. As a plus, Sauron’s ever-growing presence this season certainly makes viewers more excited for his schemes.

Sauron, or “Halbrand” to those who haven’t learned his secret, is essentially forced to restart all over.

As such, this gives Season 2 more intrigue because those watching are waiting for Sauron’s plan to unfold. His simple moves, whether manipulating a wolf to his bidding or simply persuading the minds of the peasants, have this subtlety that was nearly there previously.

This is all thanks to Charlie Vickers’ performance as Sauron, who can be deceptively charming and maliciously commanding all at once. This time, Vickers gives Sauron more of an edge, yet it doesn’t feel needlessly desperate as it was in Season 1.

Now that the chains are loose (quite literally), Sauron can be a more significant threat, though not entirely on the level of his film counterpart yet.

The Stranger’s Identity Is All But Clear

As for Nori and the Stranger take in The Rings of Power Season 2, they happily give the show a lively, if slightly comedic, touch that other storylines have lacked.

Even though it initially feels like a trek to get through, the two characters build a lighthearted bond that could have been from The Hobbit.

However, at specific points, you do have to think that inevitably, the Stranger will have to be revealed as Gandalf. This is especially felt on “Where the Stars are Strange,” where Nori and the Stranger have to deal with their hunters. Plus, with the Stranger’s growing magic powers and ominous dreams, you can’t help but see this character and Gandalf being one in the same.

Nonetheless, Season 2 is more fun because it increases the stakes and pushes its characters in new directions. Some characters may falter, and storylines might fall apart, but there’s still potential as the wheels begin turning on Sauron’s wicked plan.

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What did you think of Episodes 1-3 of The Rings of Power Season 2? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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New episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 premiere Thursdays on Prime Video.

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