The Rings of Power: what you should know before watching

In the Second Age, Sauron began his quest to conquer Middle-earth, taking the form of “Annatar, the Lord of Gifts.” While under this fair guise, Sauron tricked the Elves into forging the Rings of Power, which he would later control with the One Ring forged in Mount Doom. Only after the Elves learn of Sauron’s deceit did the Dark Lord begin his bloody war with Middle-earth. Audiences have speculated that the trailers have already revealed Sauron as Annatar via a mysterious figure in white.

Some people may think Sauron is the greatest threat to Middle-earth, but there was once another. Sauron was once a lieutenant to Melkor, the most powerful member of the immortal Valar. However, Melkor rebelled against his creator, the One God Eru, turned to evil, and became known as Morgoth (essentially making him Tolkien’s version of Satan).

Morgoth plunged the world into darkness by destroying the Two Lamps. He later destroyed the Two Trees of Valinor, slew the Elf King of Noldor, and stole the three Silmarils, which led to the War of the Jewels during the First Age. For his crimes, Morgoth was banished from the world and cast off into the Void, where he would remain until the end of days. Outside of Tolkien’s books, no other media based on his works shined the spotlight on this ancient evil. But since the series seems to be leaning heavily on elements introduced in The Silmarillion, audiences may finally see Morgoth in live-action, most likely in a flashback to the First Age.

The sudden appearance of The Stranger (played by Daniel Weyman), who falls from the sky on a flaming meteor, seems to be the catalyst for the events of the series. As his name implies, the Stranger’s origins are currently unknown. However, it is possible he is a Maiar (a lesser version of the Valar) sent to Middle-earth in human form to warn the people about Sauron’s return. This visitor could even be the great wizard Gandalf, who famously set Bilbo and his nephew, Frodo, off on their adventures through Middle-earth. Weyman’s character does resemble Gandalf a great deal.

One of the most striking images seen in the show so far is that of the Two Trees of Valinor. Readers of Tolkien know that the Valar planted these trees to act as the primary source of light in the world after the destruction of the Two Lamps. But after Morgoth destroyed both trees with the help of the primordial spider Ungoliant (the mother of Shelob), the Valar transformed the remaining flower and fruit into the Sun and Moon. Since the series takes place in the Second Age, audiences will likely see them only in a flashback to the First Age, quite possibly before seeing Morgoth destroy them.

One of the most notable aspects of the trailers came in the form of the flaming Balrog. Audiences remember it as the creature that fought Gandalf in The Fellowship of the Ring. But the Balrogs have had a long and bloody history intertwined with Morgoth. Like Sauron, the Balrogs were once angelic Maiar that were corrupted by Morgoth, fighting for their master in the War of Wrath before going into hiding. Whether or not they will serve Sauron in this series remains to be seen, but it is clear that at least one will burn itself into the audience’s TV screens. 

Númenór is basically Middle-earth’s version of Atlantis. This island kingdom was raised from the sea by the Valar as a gift to the Edain who fought against Morgoth. However, Sauron soon became an adviser to Númenór’s king, driving its citizens into worshipping Morgoth through human sacrifice with the promise of attaining eternal life. He eventually convinced the king to invade Valinor and steal the Valar’s immortality. In response, the Eru destroyed the invading fleet, along with Sauron’s body, and sent Númenór sinking into the ocean.

Audiences got a glimpse of some Hobbits (or Harfoots as they’re known during the Second Age) walking across a field in one of the trailers. This image harks back to how Frodo and his friends set off on their quest to destroy the One Ring. It now appears that a new group of Hobbits will have their own grand adventure in the show. The Hobbits didn’t have such a significant impact on Middle-earth during the First and Second Ages, so it seems the showrunners took some liberties to give them an important role in this new adaptation.

This legendary elf is widely known to be the leader of Rivendell. But in the Second Age, Elrond served as the herald of Gil-galad, the last High King of Noldor, until the latter’s death at the hands of Sauron. Elrond also has strong connections beyond Middle-earth, as he is the brother of Elros, the first king of Númenór. They will all undoubtedly be a significant part of Elrond’s journey in the series as they all face the Dark Lord’s wrath.

Also known as the Black Riders or Ringwraiths, the Nazgûl were once nine men who were corrupted by Sauron through the Rings of Power and who were said to include three lords of Númenór. These shadowy figures famously pursued Frodo and his allies during their journey across Middle-earth to reclaim the One Ring for their master. Since audiences will see the creation of the Rings of Power, they will almost certainly see the birth of Sauron’s most terrifying servants.

This legendary figure is widely known in Middle-earth as the man who defeated Sauron. As the King of Arnor and Gondor, Isildur helped lead the armies of elves and men against Sauron until he sliced the One Ring off the Dark Lord’s hand. While he had the chance to destroy the Ring, Isildur fell under its spell and kept it for himself until his untimely death.