The Rings of Power season 2 episodes 1 & 2 ending explained: What is Sauron up to?

The Rings of Power season 2 premiered with its first 3 episodes on August 29, 2024, on Amazon Prime Video. The first two episodes follow, among other things, the machinations of Halbrand/Sauron as he slips in and out of several disguises and goes forward with an ambitious plan.

In The Rings of Power season 2 episodes 1 and 2, Sauron is seen in his usual avatar, bent on achieving his goal of ruling Middle-Earth. To accomplish this feat, he needs accomplices, and a flashback sequence in episode 1 shows him trying to recruit the orcs in his force.

Elsewhere, the elves prepare for disaster to strike as they learn from Galadriel that Halbrand is none other than Sauron. The elves send a messenger to warn Celebrimbor of the fact. However, episode 2 shows that the messenger is killed before he can reach Celebrimbor.

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The Rings of Power season 2 premiere: Sauron is back with his evil plans

Episode 1 of The Rings of Power season 2 starts with a prolonged flashback sequence that shows how Sauron tried to win over the orcs. However, his overbearing and aggressively ambitious attitude repelled the orcs. Led by Adar, they mounted a vicious attack on him and killed him.

However, Sauron's spirit regenerated, and he regained his mortal body. This introductory flashback ties in with the events shown in season 1; Sauron, now restored to his new body, takes the form of Halbrand and comes across Galadriel, deceiving the latter into thinking he is the lost king of the Southlands.

In the present, as Halbrand, Sauron gains the orcs' favor when he, ironically, impresses Adar, who promises him assured service from the orc-army if he can help Adar locate Sauron.

Sauron's evil machinations do not stop here. He is after the rings since they hold the key to absolute power over Middle-Earth. In order to get his hands on the rings, he must parley with the elves. Sauron takes on the guise of Annatar, the Lord of Gifts, in order to get access to the elves’ lair.

By the time episode 2 of The Rings of Power season 2 ends, Sauron has schemed his way to the elves, and he is frightfully close to having the rings in his grasp.

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The Rings of Power season 2: The rings are safe, if only for now

In episode 1, the elves meet up and discuss how the rings might just be the “last hope for all of Middle-Earth.” There is a bit of a scuffle over who should have them. Elrond has them for much of episode 1.

As the episode ends, Elrond gives the rings to Círdan, thought to be the wisest man in all of Middle-Earth. As episode 2 of The Rings of Power season 2 ends, Galadriel, Gil-galad, and Círdan have one ring each.

In episode 2, the rings are not mentioned much, except in the scene where Círdan discusses with Elrond how powerful the rings are. However, the rings are not totally out of the picture either, as Sauron is making steady progress towards them by using whatever means he needs to. He has his eyes firmly on the powerful rings.

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The Rings of Power season 2: Who is The Stranger?

The Stranger is an enigmatic figure seen in episodes 1 and 2 of The Rings of Power season 2. In the first episode, The Stranger, along with Nori, is seen crossing a desert, while in episode 2, he sees a significant vision that foretells a future episode.

While it is not exactly clear who this Stranger might be, one may guess that it is none other than Gandalf. However, whoever the ominous stranger may be, it seems he will have a big role to play in The Rings of Power season 2.

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The first 3 episodes of season 2 of The Rings of Power are streaming on Amazon Prime Video.