We return to Middle Earth in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power 2×01. And immediately it’s off to the races with a bunch of world building that admittedly could feel really really heavy for the casual viewer. As someone who has spent a lot of time in this world, it’s easier for me to connect these intricate pieces. But as we enter season 2, I do fear that some people might not be patient enough to understand how deep and complex the story of Sauron and The Rings truly is. Bestie didn’t just wake up one day with a love for jewelry and need to rule Middle Earth cuz reasons. He’s wanted this for a long time. And by the time that season 2 starts, it’s clearer now more than ever that Sauron is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.
I Would Have Tried to Take Down Sauron Too
The Sauron that we meet in 2×01 thinks he should rule because nepotism. He doesn’t care for the orcs that were left behind when Morgoth, AKA his overlord and boss, was defeated. He wants to be Big Boss 2.0. But this version of Sauron is ignorant of the realities around him and that nepotism isn’t going to keep the orcs in line. That’s what ends his current corporeal form and why Adar takes charge. This is where the shape-shifting or different forms happens. Because from what we’re shown, Sauron spent a lot of time fighting tooth and nail to gain enough energy and power to have a corporeal form again. And when he finally did, it’s easy to believe that he probably had spent a lot of time thinking/scheming about what he would do when he got his arms and legs back.
What follows is us getting small flashes of what led him to being on that ship and eventually meeting up with Galadriel on the floating shipwreck. And I think it’s the show’s way of illustrating that he isn’t just some ominous and looming thing in the distance. This is something that I felt when watching the original Lord of the Rings movies. He was just some evil lord blah blah blah. Season 2 makes it clear, more than ever, that Sauron 2.0 is a meticulous planner with a clear end goal in mind. He remembered what happened to him and he’s never going to let it happen again. That’s why he pretended with Galadriel and why he practically bent the knee to Adar. These are small sacrifices that he will make for what he wants.
What Sauron wants is something that I do you think The Rings of Power are exploring in a way that doesn’t excuse his actions. We’ve got into a point in Hollywood where every single villain has a backstory that makes the viewer have sympathy. Just recently they announced a Mufasa prequel of The Lion King that shows us a young Scar with a different backstory that led him to become the villain we know. Sometimes villains are just villains. Sometimes they’re like Sauron. He wants power because he wants it. He wants to follow in Morgoth’s steps of course. But he is so delusional and self-involved that he thinks he is the only one who should control Middle Earth. Not rule it like he tried to sell Galadriel. Control. And it’s just because he wants to. That’s it.
Then There’s Galadriel and Elrond
Season 1 of The Rings of Power I feel like I was firmly on Galadriel’s side. I understood where she came from when she let her anger and grief drive her. I even understood why she felt the way she did about Elrond. He was pompous and a bureaucrat. Still likable. But he was a politician more than anything else. But in season 2? Oh how the turntables! He was absolutely right not to give Galadriel or The King the rings. They didn’t know what Sauron had done to them. Plus Galadriel wasn’t being honest with him or The King. So yes, I wouldn’t let Galadriel get her hands on that cute new jewelry. I would have dived in the water too.
Admittedly, I feel like Galadriel is pompous just like Elrond. She’s so sure that she is right and that she can resist Sauron the next time she sees him. Defeat him even. And she’s so sure of that that it blinds her to the reality that she is fallible just like everyone else. But Elrond is the same way. He was that way in season 1 and I think that they’re two sides of the same coin. He was right to jump and she was right in taking risks to try to save their people and Middle-Earth. And even though I was really really frustrated with both of them in 2×01, I really like that The Rings of Power used this conflict as a stepping stone to strengthen their relationship in the future.
At their core, The Rings of Power 2×01 makes sure to invest in the power of friendship. Whether it’s The Stranger, Nori, and Poppy in a desert wasteland, or Galadriel and Elrond having problems in Lindon, friendship defines the show. And just like those three need each other in the desert to survive, these two elves need each other to survive and balance each other out for the upcoming war against Sauron. Because he’s coming for that power of the flesh via The Rings that will give him the ultimate control. And the only way that Middle Earth is going to defeat him now, and centuries later, is if they work together. No one does it alone. Well, except Sauron while he’s scheming.
THE HOTTEST ELF HAS ARRIVED
Growing up, I thought that Orlando Bloom was the hottest elf I had ever encountered in anything fantasy. My walls were littered with posters of this actor. As I got older I definitely got to appreciate Aragorn and how he redefined the strapping rough scoundrel with a heart of gold look. And even just last year, I watched The Two Towers at Radio City Music Hall and everyone was losing their mind for Gimli. So there’s a bunch of lookers in Middle Earth. A lot of vibes. But I think that they have all been upstaged by this beautiful elf that was introduced in The Rings of Power 2×01. Círdan.
There was no Middle Earth reason for this elf to be this hot. First of all, The Rings of Power decided to enter the scene and warm summer/spring day. Everything is perfect as we enter a quiet little shop. Students are learning how to build boats. And this young elf is corrected by their master on how to properly cut things and stuff for a boat. The music is ethereal and everything is in slow mo as they introduce the most beautiful elf I have ever seen in my life. Maybe it’s the comfy robes. Or maybe it’s the gently curled hair and his beautiful eyes. But mainly it’s the beard. I cannot remember a time where I saw a bearded elf. And I’m a changed woman thanks to Círdan, played by Ben Daniels.
And let’s be clear, I truly know nothing about this elf. I know about this world. But not enough to know all the ins and outs of it. But I do have enough film comprehension that he’s important for season 2. He’s trusted by Elrond and the other elves and is in a position of power. It’s just made even better by his glorious silver hair and beard. Now I need every single elf on this show to grow a beard. Just think about it, imagine season 1 elves with a beard? Revolutionary. Let’s even go further back to the Orlando Bloom days. We all remember how good he looked in Pirates of the Caribbean. Now imagine his elf look from The Lord of the Rings but with a beard? Game-changing. That movie was already a classic. Now it’s a cinematic wonder of the cosmos. Plus I think Gimli would appreciate some beard companionship. He can’t be the only one with the glorious beard in those movies.
And before you leave, don’t forget to check out Prime Video’s inside look at episode 2×01 below!
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power drops new episodes every Thursday on Prime Video.
