The Rings of Power’s first season was all about identifying Sauron, but Season 2’s tone will be scarier as the Dark Lord starts looking for allies.
The Rings of Power had a lot of different plotlines in Season 1. The Stranger showed up in Middle-earth and made friends with the Harfoots, while Adar attacked the Southlanders with his Orcs. Meanwhile, Durin and Disa discovered Mithril in the depths of Moria. Although it wasn’t totally The Lord of the Rings accurate, the Balrog was awake by the end of the series. However, the series’ most important plotline showed Galadriel continuing her centuries-long hunt for Sauron.
All through Season 1, there was a lot of debate surrounding Sauron’s identity. A lot of people thought that The Stranger was Sauron, while others zeroed in on Halbrand as the Dark Lord’s secret identity. The latter group turned out to be correct, but the reveal didn’t happen until the final episode of Season 1. That meant that the debut season was defined by mystery and investigation. That’s about to change in Season 2. All indications suggest that The Rings of Power’s second outing will be much scarier.
The Rings of Power Season 2 Will Be Scarier
One of Season 1’s final shots showed Halbrand in front of the newly created Mordor. It had an air of dread, as it foreshadowed the darkness that Sauron is set to bring upon Middle-earth. In fact, that shot is probably a good indication of what Season 2 will bring. Speaking to Deadline, executive producer Lindsey Weber said, “Season 2 is fundamentally different in that our main villain is out and about and doing his thing. I think in some ways, it’s going to [be] grittier, more intense, maybe a little scarier.”
Weber’s statement seems to indicate a total tonal shift for The Rings of Power’s second season. While Season 1 was all about finding Sauron and having viewers take part in the mystery, Season 2 will be about what Sauron is actually doing. He’s already announced himself. Now, he has to start finding lackeys and building allegiances so that he can challenge Middle-earth’s power structure and insert himself at the top of the food chain.
The Rings of Power Season 2 Will Feature New Villains
It’s not just conjecture that Season 2 will be setting up potential allies for Sauron. While teasing the coming season, Galadriel actor Morfydd Clark told Collider that “there’s some very interesting villains coming.” Along with Sauron being out in the open, those new villains should be a key reason for Season 2 having a scarier tone. The question is who those new villains might be.
The first and most interesting villain that could show up in Season 2 is Khamûl the Easterling. He was a great king in the far East of Middle-earth before Sauron gave him a ring of power and transformed him into one of the Nazgûl. Given that The Rings of Power is going to feature Rhûn as a location in Season 2, it’s likely that some version of Khamûl could show up. Another major villain that could make an appearance is Shelob. She made her nest in the Ephel Duath long before Sauron arrived in Mordor. But eventually, the demonic spider became Sauron’s pet and guarded the pass of Cirith Ungol. It might be a long shot, but Season 2 could show Sauron taming Shelob.
Adar the Moriondor also has to return. In The Rings of Power’s continuity, he was responsible for creating Mordor, but because he “killed” Sauron, he probably won’t ever be a willing ally for the Dark Lord. Either way, his story needs resolving. Another villain that could start being a problem is the Balrog below Moria. In LOTR’s version, the monster didn’t awaken until the Third Age, but The Rings of Power showed that it was already awake. So, it almost has to be involved at some point, even if it breaks canon. Finally, Pharazôn and his King’s Men are treading on villainous grounds. With all of those potential villains, it’s easy to see why Season 2 might be scarier.
