Predictions for the End of Rings of Power Season 2 (Episodes 7 and 8) - Spoiler Warning

Time for some speculation. These are my predictions for the last two Episodes and beyond of Season 2 of The Rings of Power (Episodes 7 and 8). We talk about the Stranger, Eregion, Elrond, Sauron, Celebrimbor, Durin, etc.

I might be wrong though. I have not seen the last two episodes yet, but all the trailer material. So Spoiler Warning.

► Disclaimer:
I have permission of the artists to use their art works.

► Artwork and special thanks to:

► Mistakes:
This video has tons of typos 😅 (a lot even for my standards). Sorry
*crafting, *known, *Númenórean, etc

► Sources:
The Lord of The Rings (1954-1955) by J. R. R. Tolkien
The Silmarillion (1977)
The Hobbit (1937; 1951)
Unfinished Tales (1980)
The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien (1981)
The Peoples of Middle-earth (1996)
Morgoth's Ring (1993)

Maps:
Amazon (John Howe)
Edited by: Murdo
Aman map by ThePhilosophersGames

► Mistakes:
-

► Playlists:
If you are interested in Tolkien's legendary fantasy Epic The Lord of the Rings and his related works, here some recommendations:

► Time Codes:
Intro - 0:00

► Social Media:
The Philosopher's Games / TPhGames / TPhLore aka Chris

► Of Games and Rings Podcast:

#RingsOfPower #LotR #LordOfTheRings

[ThePhilosophersGames]

There is a typo in Spoiler Warning and tons of other spelling mistakes (*crafting, known, Númenórean, etc), sorry. It as hard to make a 20 minute video this fast. So spell checking was not a priority here 😅

[Waterhouse]

Can't wait for season 3. An 8 episode arc about how gandalf got his hat.😮

[Hoosier]

Galadriel in episode 7 "they're taking the harfoots to Isengard".
The dwarf lady in the mines "you shall not pass, on this deal for a crystal"

[theamazingbatboy]

As far as series wide plotting goes I have theories! *Season 3* will revolve around the forging of the One Ring—each season so far has concentrated on one step of the creation of the 'Rings of Power', clearly the core pillar of the series. The One Ring is too important to squeeze in amongst other events and will require a big build-up. The third season cliffhanger will be Sauron being taken to Numenor (with a subtle smirk in that final scene).

Because the characters, drama (and expensive sets) of Numenor are so important and the catastrophe so massive, *season 4* will be largely about the fall of Numenor, culminating in its destruction. Sauron will collect/rescue his three Numenorean future Nazgul here too and, barring other sinister events, Sauron's survival and return to Middle-Earth will be the season four cliffhanger (with a cheeky wink and a grin as Numenor sinks below the waves).

** Speaking of the Nazgul—they're amongst Tolkien's most important and iconic villains. I foresee them becoming the series' new mystery-box, since the mystery of the Stranger will have been solved. I believe the are-they-aren't-they question will swirl around a bunch of characters for the next two seasons at least; recruiting them will take too much time amongst the other storylines to resolve in one season and Sauron can't be everywhere at once. I could even see the Witch King being a final season reveal, although the general assumption he was a Numenorean might narrow the options.

** The Stranger being _Gandalf_ is a shoe-in now I agree, with a blend of Blue Wizard stuff for the fans; for all the narrative reasons you've outlined. I always thought the Blue Wizard payoff for general audiences would've been weak. As he's Gandalf though, I have a hard time imagining even RoP writers attempting to shoehorn him in to the War of the Last Alliance or something — _that_ would be egregious fan-fiction and a major retcon. Instead, I expect he'll fight his battle against the Dark Wizard, as part of conflicts traditionally unknown to the people of the West. Gandalf & the Harfoot's band tour will trundle along, only loosely related to other things and allowing for occasional pauses while other plots heat up. Gandalf will, of course, help establish the Hobbits (Harfoots, Stoors and maybe _Fallohides_ in a future season?) and at least set them on the path to the Anduin valley and the Shire. I think that gives Gandalf, Nori and Poppy _plenty_ to do over the next three seasons, without necessarily being directly involved in Western conflicts. I think it likely he meets up with Cirdan at the end to receive his ring and the famous quote about rekindling hearts and to link the stories up (especially since most general audiences won't be aware Gandalf even had Narya). Hopefully it plays out this way, as it's one of my major concerns for the plotting of the series now.

** The Dwarven storyline I'm pretty unsure of. They're not going to have nearly enough to do for three more seasons without waking the Balrog, which has also been heavily foreshadowed. I could see that being an end-game thing for them since it destroys Khazad-dum, so perhaps more interaction between them and Elrond in Rivendell combating Orc armies or even treasure-hoard stealing dragons? It would actually be pretty cool to see an ice drake or some more frost trolls, maybe even a 'Stone Giant'? Hard to say otherwise, since they sort of drop out of the lore after the fall of Eregion, iirc. How they fit the fall of Khazad-dum in with the War of the Last Alliance will be interesting to see.

*Season 5* will _have_ to be about the establishment of the kingdoms in exile of Arnor and Gondor. I don't believe, with all the screentime devoted to Elendil and Isildur we won't see this happen. Elendil clearly has a 'find and carry the faith' kind of arc going where he must assume the mantle of responsibility and they're obviously setting him up for a big Aragorn-style coronation scene imo. Isildur is so impetuous and inexperienced from how we know him, it must be to build him up as a mighty warrior before finally putting the One ring in his hands at the end. The showrunners are big fans of Anakin's storyline in the SW prequels, I think.

[kalmes]

I had to think for a moment about what you meant regarding Celebrimbor and the banner. Good hint.

[vissersvet]

(4:12: It's actually the rune for F, called "feahu" (three syllables), which meant 'cattle' (the word subsists in Dutch 'vee', German 'Vieh') and hence 'wealth'. I suppose it's because of this latter meaning, which we can relate to the dwarven treasure / dragon's hoard, that the Jackson writing team had Gandalf burn it into Bilbo's door -- Tolkien himself never gave a specific description of the mark:
"(...) Gandalf in the meantime was still standing outside the door, and laughing long but quietly. After a while he stepped up, and with the spike of his staff scratched a queer sign on the hobbit's beautiful green front-door. Then he strode away, just about the time when Bilbo was finishing his second cake and beginning to think that he had escape adventures very well.")

[wdyblack]

If you really love me sauron, put a ring on it 👉

[Zerbii]

Just enjoy the high fantasy screen play lads.

[Enerdhil]

I just saw a preview of Episode #7. Celebrimbor said that he almost finished all the Rings of Power. Annatar asked him how close he was to finishing, which means Sauron will not be helping Celebrimbor make those Nine Rings. Unless Annatar adds something to the Nine before forging is completed.

[MarleyFett]

Those that want extra butter on their popcorn don't always deserve it ....can you give it to them?

[ArwenAreYouOK]

episode 6 tagline: "Do not be too eager to place Gandalf's wisdom in another's mouth; for some who deserve credit are forgotten, and some who speak the words may not grasp their depth. Can you discern who truly holds the insight?"
Episode 7: Itshallnotpass

[Crafty_Spirit]

Mírdania is Celeborn with a wig, Pharazon will find Morgoth's Ring in a basement next to the fourth unpolished Silmari, Damrod will sing a litany for the fallen orcs, and I am terrible at predicting

[kevz]

I noticed the character in the gold mask looks like one of the nazgul in the hobbit...the scene where galadriel, elrond and saurman rescued gandalf

[beejaybhatt]

Don’t you mean the thing Gandalf writes on Bilbo’s door in the hobbit not lotr. ?

[GreatGreebo]

You pretty much nailed it regarding the direction this show is taking with these storylines. I’m on onboard with Evil Mr. Desert-Wizard not being Saruman Also, (thinking outside the box:) I can see the Amazon writers taking the blonde, named, lady-elf, smith character (Mirdania) and having her be taken under Galadriel’s wing and then getting herself renamed as Celebrian or something ridiculous like that 🤔. There’s no sign of Celeborn showing up for Celebrian to be conceived so far. Not that this show seems overly concerned with being lore accurate but Elrond has to marry someone to father Elrohir, Elladan & Arwen
Question: Is Elrond catching feelings for Mirdania?? Have they interacted or ?? Please let me know TPG (or chat). I’m currently only watching the series through TPG’s recaps so I don’t have any firsthand observations to go by. Please let me know specifically about Elrond/Midania/Galadriel interactions. Cheers!

[whyukraine]

Prediction tor Episode 8: Al Pharaohson teams up with Kyle Gass to write the best song in the world. Then they challenge Durin's Bane to a rock off!

[Faktor]

Just watched S2E7 and connot wait for your reaction. I literally almost smashed in my TV this morning, not joking.

[bubblehulk]

Gandalf the BLUE.

Good point about the tree! That’s definitely where he gets it.

[pattenicus]

Great stuff! Do you think that the Skull Masked Easterling is going to end up as Khamul ?

[otaku-sempai]

I don't see a Numenorean fleet returning to Middle-earth in this season; Ar-Pharazon has no motive yet to do that. However, it there is a greater Numenorean presence in Middle-earth in Season 3 then I could see Ar-Pharazon taking offense at a Sauron now claiming to the the Lord of the Earth. Right now Numenor is solely concerned with its internal politics.