TheQuartering [2/22/2022]
Amazon’s Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power Will Be Terrible!
In a statement released with the title announcement, The Rings of Power showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay teased that the series “unites all the major stories of Middle-earth’s Second Age.” That confirms The Rings of Power will depict the biggest historical events that took place throughout the Second Age of Middle-earth, including the downfall of Númenor and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.
However, the title also confirms that the series’ primary focus, at least initially, will be on a major story that some fans had been convinced would only be passingly featured in the show. We are, of course, talking about the forging of the Rings of Power.
Around 1500 years into the Second Age, Sauron sought out the Elves. Disguising himself as the fair Annatar, the Lord of Gifts, he tricked Celebrimbor and the other Elven-smiths of Eregion into forging the Rings of Power. He helped them forge 16 of the 20 rings, while Celebrimbor forged three that were later given to Galadriel, Gil-galad, and Círdan.
While Sauron aided in the creation of the seven rings that were given to the Dwarves and the nine that were given to the Men, he also forged the One Ring, which all the others were bound to, on his own at Mount Doom. However, when Sauron put on the One Ring his treachery was discovered by the Elves, who hid their three rings. In retaliation, Sauron attacked the Elves and demanded that all the Rings of Power be delivered to him, beginning a conflict that would result in, among other things, the brutal demise of Celebrimbor.
The forging of the Rings of Power and the conflict between the Elves and Sauron is a story that could take up several seasons of television, so it’s not hard to see why the Amazon series appears to be starting its run with it. The Rings of Power can open with a story that even casual Lord of the Rings viewers will be vaguely familiar with, all while introducing characters and perspectives that most fans haven’t seen on-screen. Even introducing Sauron as Annatar gives The Rings of Power the unique opportunity to show viewers the series’ most iconic villain in a way they haven’t seen before.