How ‘The Rings of Power’ ties into ‘The Lord of the Rings’ timeline explained
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Amazon's 'LOTR: The Rings of Power' brings Middle-earth to life with breathtaking visuals, drawing inspiration from JRR Tolkien's timeless novels.
Set in the Second Age, the show delves into a previously unseen era, distinct from Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings' films.
However, keen-eyed fans might spot a few differences, such as Isildur's presence, due to the show's compressed timeline.
'The Rings of Power' Season 1 adapts Tolkien's work by accelerating events and character introductions, all while staying faithful to the original blueprint.
Let's dive into the season's key events, compare them to Tolkien's writings, and speculate on what's to come in future seasons.
Dawn of The Second Age
In the dawn of Middle-earth, Morgoth, once known as Melkor, emerged as the first Dark Lord. As the second most powerful of the Ainur, he rebelled against Eru, the creator of Middle-earth.
The Ainur, entrusted with shaping the world, united to defeat Morgoth and banish him to the Void. With Morgoth vanquished, the Second Age began, and Elves and Dwarves rebuilt Middle-earth.
However, 'The Rings of Power' offers a fresh perspective by featuring a more diverse world, with Hobbits and Humans taking on central roles.
This departure from Tolkien's original work adds a fresh dynamic, highlighting tensions between species. Notably, some Humans in the show harbor resentment towards Elves, sowing the seeds for Sauron's darkness to grow.
Rise of Sauron
'LOTR: The Rings of Power' Season 1 weaves together four main storylines: Galadriel's pursuit of Sauron, Elrond's quest for Elven survival, the Harfoots' encounter with the Stranger, and Humans fighting Orcs.
Although these events unfold over 3,441 years in the Second Age, the show condenses them into a more compact narrative. As Sauron's power grows, we see the beginnings of his loyal Ringwraiths.
Theo and Waldreg are hinted to be among the nine men who will eventually fall under Sauron's control. With the season concluding with the creation of the first rings, we can expect to see more Ringwraiths emerge.
Meanwhile, Sauron's influence on Numenor sets the stage for its impending destruction, as described in Tolkien's books. The show is building towards a catastrophic event that will forever alter Middle-earth.
Arrival of the Wizards
Tolkien's books reveal that Wizards, like Gandalf and Saruman, didn't arrive in Middle-earth until the Third Age, roughly 1,000 years after Sauron's defeat.
However, 'The Rings of Power' takes creative liberty by introducing the Stranger, later revealed as Gandalf, in the Second Age.
The show condenses timelines, depicting Gandalf's early friendship with the Harfoots and his affection for Hobbits, courtesy of Nori's kindness.
This alteration raises questions about the Wizards's role in the fight against Sauron. Will they play a central part in the upcoming battles, or remain in the background until the Third Age, as in the books?
The show's divergence from Tolkien's timeline leaves room for exciting possibilities, and we eagerly await the next season of 'The Rings of Power' to find out.
'LOTR: The Rings of Power' Season 2 trailer
'LOTR: The Rings of Power' Season 2 will air on Prime Video from August 29.