Rings of Power Ending Explained: Check out the Plot and Cast
by Harini
Updated Jun 28, 2023
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Ending Explained
"The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" has concluded its first season with an exhilarating finale that left viewers eagerly anticipating the second season. Titled "Alloyed," the episode delivered action, suspense, and major revelations, while also leaving some intriguing plot threads for future exploration.
One of the biggest reveals in the season finale was the true identity of Sauron. After weeks of speculation and fan theories, it was unveiled that Halbrand, a character trusted by Galadriel, is actually Sauron in disguise. Despite his successful concealment throughout most of the season, Halbrand's visit to Celebrimbor's workshop exposes his dark intentions. He guides Celebrimbor in the creation of the Rings of Power, which will ultimately give Sauron control over all other ringbearers in Middle-earth.
The episode also addresses the identity of the Stranger, who was initially mistaken for Sauron but turns out to be an Istar, or a wizard. While the show doesn't explicitly confirm the Stranger's identity as Gandalf, there are strong hints suggesting that he is indeed Gandalf the Grey. From his resemblance to Gandalf to a line referencing following one's nose, the clues point towards this conclusion.
The season finale introduces three mysterious beings referred to as the Witches Three. Although their identities are not fully revealed, it is clear that they are aligned with Sauron and originate from the East, a region crucial to Sauron's rise to power. Their fanatical devotion to the Stranger and subsequent banishment implies their potential return in future episodes.
While the episode is action-packed, it surprisingly has a relatively low body count. The notable deaths include Sadoc Burrows, the Harfoot leader, and Numenorean King Tar-Palantir. These deaths set the stage for potential political shifts and conflicts in the upcoming season.
The finale briefly explores the events unfolding in Numenor, hinting at the rise of the Sauron-supporting Black Numenorean faction. Miriel and Elendil return to find the king has passed away, and the presence of black banners and sails suggests a foreboding future for the kingdom. Additionally, Elendil's daughter, Eärien, discovers a magical seeing stone, or Palantir, potentially drawing her deeper into Sauron's influence.
One of the most captivating storylines in the season involves Galadriel and her complex relationship with Halbrand/Sauron. In the Second Age, Sauron had asked Galadriel to join him in Mordor as his queen, but she resisted the temptation. The finale showcases Sauron's attempts to tempt Galadriel once again, using visions and promises of power. This dynamic adds depth to Galadriel's determination to defeat Sauron and foreshadows their future encounters.
The forging of the Rings of Power finally fulfills the show's title, as viewers witness the creation of the three rings for the elven Kings: Narya, Vilya, and Venya. These rings, made with mithril, gold, silver, and powerful gems, will be entrusted to High King Gil-galad, Galadriel, and the yet-to-be-introduced Cirdan. The forging process is shown to be influenced by Sauron, raising questions about the future of the other Rings of Power and their impact on the races of Middle-earth.
As the first season of "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" concludes, fans are left with a mix of answered questions and new mysteries to ponder. The revelations about Sauron, the Stranger's identity, and the forging of the Rings of Power set the stage for an exciting second season filled with epic conflicts and character development.
Rings of Power Plot
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is an American fantasy television series created for the streaming service Amazon Prime Video. Developed by J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay, the series is based on J. R. R. Tolkien's novel "The Lord of the Rings" and its appendices. It is set in Middle-earth's Second Age, thousands of years before the events of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings."
Produced by Amazon Studios in collaboration with New Line Cinema and in consultation with the Tolkien Estate, the series was acquired by Amazon in November 2017, with a significant commitment of at least US$1 billion for five seasons, making it the most expensive television series to date. Payne and McKay were brought on board in July 2018 to helm the project. Drawing primarily from the appendices of "The Lord of the Rings," which provide a wealth of information about the Second Age, the series was developed with input from Simon Tolkien, the grandson of J. R. R. Tolkien.
It is important to note that the show is not a direct continuation of Peter Jackson's film trilogies for "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit," as per the terms of the agreement between Amazon and the Tolkien Estate. Nonetheless, the production aimed to capture the essence of the films through similar production designs, younger versions of familiar characters, and a main theme composed by Howard Shore, who scored the music for both trilogies. The series features a score by Bear McCreary.
To bring the world of Middle-earth to life, the show boasts a large international cast. Filming for the first season, consisting of eight episodes, took place in New Zealand, the same location where the films were produced, from February 2020 to August 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, production experienced a hiatus of several months during that time. For future seasons, Amazon shifted the production to the United Kingdom, where filming for the second season occurred from October 2022 to June 2023, concluding during the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.
"The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" premiered on September 1, 2022, with the release of its first two episodes. The remaining six episodes of the first season aired until October 14. Amazon reported that the season garnered the highest viewership among all Prime Video original series and received generally positive reviews from critics. The second season is expected to be released in 2024.
Reimagining Middle-earth: Unveiling the Untold Stories of the Second Age
All the books and film adaptations of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit take place during a period known as the Third Age. This is the time when the Dark Lord Sauron is scheming to regain his power by searching for his lost One Ring, which has unexpectedly ended up in the possession of the Hobbits.
The upcoming television series, The Rings of Power, unfolds during the Second Age. This age begins with a monumental battle between the Elves and Morgoth, the original malevolent force in the Tolkien universe.
As time progresses, Morgoth's lieutenant, Sauron, rises to prominence. The series begins with the Elves feeling secure in their initial victory over Morgoth, while the human and Dwarf kingdoms are at the peak of their prosperity. However, tensions exist between the Elves and other races, particularly the humans, as the Elves harbor suspicions about their susceptibility to corruption.
We know that Sauron eventually manipulates the Elves into creating the Rings of Power, incorporating the precious mithril of the Dwarves into the process. We are aware of his near success but also of his first, incomplete defeat at the hands of the "last alliance of Elves and men," marking the end of the Second Age.
Payne stated, "People will know a few of the big things that will happen, but we're interested in how these characters get there along the way. What were the small grains of sand that tipped the scales?" During the development of their concept, McKay, Payne, and Weber delved into the books, seeking details about the events of the Second Age.
References to the making of the rings are mentioned by Gandalf to Frodo early in The Fellowship of the Ring, and Elrond recounts the tale during a council in Rivendell. Sam even includes it in a song about the fall of Elven king Gil-galad, which he sings during the Hobbits' early stages of their journey.
McKay described it as "piecing together these clues." As they brainstormed possible plotlines on a whiteboard, they realized that a series set in Middle-earth leading up to the formation of the last alliance would possess the epic emotional weight they were aiming for. McKay added, "There were these huge themes about fear of death, the temptation of evil, and even friendship. I remember saying, 'That's the show.'" Payne further emphasized, "Tolkien talked about not creating Middle-earth but excavating it. We felt like we were discovering things that were already there. People have heard about it in montages and flashes, but these are massive untold stories."
Where to Watch Rings of Power?
For fans eagerly anticipating the return to Tolkien's beloved world, "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" offers a thrilling live-action experience set in Middle-earth after nearly a decade of anticipation. As the release of the series approaches, it's natural to wonder how and where to watch it once the episodes start dropping on September 2.
Here are some key details to keep in mind:
Global Availability: The first episode of "The Rings of Power" will premiere in all countries and territories where Amazon Prime Video is accessible. This wide availability ensures that fans worldwide can embark on this epic journey.
Exclusive Availability: "The Rings of Power" series is exclusively available on Amazon Prime Video. This means that to enjoy the series, you'll need an active subscription to the Amazon Prime service. Fortunately, Prime Video offers a vast library of additional content, making the subscription a worthwhile investment for fans of Middle-earth.
Rings of Power Trailer
Rings of Power Ending Explained FAQ
In the season finale, it is revealed that Halbrand, a character trusted by Galadriel, is actually Sauron in disguise. The forging of the Rings of Power takes place, setting the stage for epic conflicts and character development in the upcoming season.
While the show doesn't explicitly confirm the Stranger's identity as Gandalf, there are strong hints suggesting that he is indeed Gandalf the Grey. Clues such as his resemblance to Gandalf and references to following one's nose point towards this conclusion.
The season finale introduces three mysterious beings referred to as the Witches Three. While their identities are not fully revealed, it is clear that they are aligned with Sauron and originate from the East, indicating their potential return in future episodes.
The notable deaths in the finale include Sadoc Burrows, the Harfoot leader, and Numenorean King Tar-Palantir. These deaths set the stage for potential political shifts and conflicts in the upcoming season.
Filming for the first season took place in New Zealand, the same location where the film trilogies were produced. However, for future seasons, the production shifted to the United Kingdom.
"The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" is exclusively available on Amazon Prime Video. It will be accessible in all countries and territories where Amazon Prime Video is available. However,