The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, has some major surprises, and a lot of what happens is up for debate amongst fans!
A Subtle Reveal
Season 2 dropped a bombshell! Something so subtle it may have been missed entirely! It looks like the meeting of Sauron and Galadriel wasn't really a coincidence!
Season 1 had shown Halbrand was really Sauron. Season 2 spilled more secrets explaining more of what occurred, including those early years that fans never fully got to see!
Solving the Halbrand Mystery
In a featurette, the actor who plays Sauron (Jack Lowden) explained that a flashback at the start of Season 2 actually went back 1000 years before season 1. It showed Sauron, in his original form getting killed by Adar and his orcs! The Sauron fans knew had actually died.
What's even crazier, is the idea that the powerful Sauron had to rebuild himself! But Sauron's spirit, slowly built his body back up using his form as Halbrand, making him incredibly cunning.
No Coincidence, Only Eru's Plan
What did everyone believe when they watched season 1? Well, many believed Sauron had a specific plan to get to Galadriel and really orchestrate a really special encounter on the seas. However, it's pretty much impossible and more complex. What was discovered is Sauron had no clue about the meeting, that just happened!
The writers of this great Amazon show explained that these seemingly unlikely, unplanned events were guided by an all powerful creator- Eru Ilúvatar!
"The Rings of Power"'s creators, J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay said this shows up again and again in Tolkien's original books, a central part to Tolkien’s themes, that those moments really were “preordained”. It turns out there are moments that have higher significance. Some, that are not! It may even show us, the greater picture, from a new perspective!
Eru's Intentions
Why is all this such a unique and complex point in The Rings of Power? The story explains that it wasn't entirely by chance or coincidence, but instead what Eru Ilúvatar (the one God) of Middle-earth wanted these two figures together!
It seemed both Sauron and Galadriel were going through it! Both went through tough experiences. This powerful creator of this world decided to step in and really shake up their respective lives.
They are important figures and those changes in life might actually give these powerful forces that make Middle-earth so much fun, something new!
- Their interaction, regardless of being viewed as "romantic," shows that this is how things happen from Eru Ilúvatar's point of view
- The goal appears to bring Middle-earth to life again.
Eru's Motivations:
For anyone watching this, there could be a question. How does Eru actually fit in with Tolkien's perspective about this world?
It's a bit mysterious because Tolkien really took time to make a powerful universe. Even with a deity like Eru, he gave his own personal views to this world's stories!
This means viewers will find some deep thought in watching The Rings of Power.
- Eru is portrayed much like Tolkien’s view on the Christian God.
- The motives aren't always transparent, leaving audiences with an abundance of questions!
- Tolkien also gives insight about Eru's plans which appears as something truly random in this realm! Gandalf even gives the story Bilbo Baggins was selected to find the one ring. This is all Eru's plan!
- Coincidence is part of Eru's process! This actually promotes those aspects of being kind and showing love over any pursuit of power and domination that are highlighted by Sauron's actions.
A Unique Perspective
Fans will get an interesting view as to how things operate and who the truly important players in Middle-earth truly are. The story might go far beyond what many can understand. What’s fascinating is that Eru was not beholden to the way time operates. His time might operate in some special manner! So if we can only really imagine what this might look like! But this is actually highlighted in The Rings of Power! With the interaction of Galadriel and Sauron on those shores of Middle-earth!
Whether you watch the original Lord of the Rings or this Amazon iteration The Rings of Power this may offer those viewers some great insight into why certain themes from this story seem so meaningful and profound.
Even those of us who know this story and follow Tolkien's work for decades may come to understand why this show continues to push new concepts that truly take you back into Middle-earth! This may help give these viewers some truly thoughtful discussions that the characters leave behind!
