Answers to the biggest questions about the ending and Season 2 of Rings of Power

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power ended its first season with seismic shifts and room for expansion. The multi-billion dollar show, which has been greenlit for five seasons, found space for explosive moments and almost shocking revelations, and even a revamped map of Middle-earth. But it was still tablecloths—that Lord of the rings we know is way down the timeline.

With the first season finale released worldwide, here are the top questions about what exactly happens next in Season 2 and beyond. And thanks The Rings of Power From author Gennifer Hutchison, we already know a little about where Sauron, Galadriel and the Stranger are headed.

Is the stranger really Gandalf?

Ever since The Stranger (Daniel Weyman) emerged, his identity has been a mystery, spurred on by the cast and crew of rings of power Referring to him as a “familiar” character for fans.

After eight episodes, the answer seems to be… maybe. Although the finale provides some convincing evidence: the White Robes decide he isn’t Sauron, calling him “Istar” instead, which Tolkien fans will recognize as a unique form of Istari, the Elvish word for the wizards of Middle-earth. He turns them into swarms of moths – a move certainly associated with the Gandalf of the Peter Jackson films. He takes a staff to perform this magic (or whatever we call it) which seems to summon a certain type of gray and later white wizard. And now that he can speak in full sentences he certainly sounds more like Gandalf and even dismisses a lot of the stuff Gandalf said in the Jackson films.

Where are the stranger and Nori flying to?

Photo: Ben Rothstein/Prime Video

After confronting the White Robes, the stranger decides that he absolutely is Not Sauron decides it’s time to head east to Rhûn to find out more about himself. Nori, always eager to leave the Harfoot path, decides to go with him while Poppy stays behind.

In Rhûn, they can see the constellation the Stranger has been tracking all season called The Hermit Hat, and hopefully get the answers the Stranger has been searching for all season about his identity, powers and what he was supposed to be has to do in this world.

What happens in Númenor now that the king is dead?

Without spoiling what happens canonically with the Númenóreans, suffice it to say that the island nation is in a difficult place. Queen Míriel and Elendil have returned home to win the land for a battle against the orcs that inhabit the newly created Mordor (not that anyone could call it that) to find the king dead. Pharazôn continues to rally the residents for a more conservative future for Númenor and fear of outsiders/elves.

What will Eärien do with the Palantir?

Before Númenor’s king dies, he lets Eärien into the secret passage with the palantír. While we don’t see what happens after that – whether she makes it into the room or touches the crystal ball – but given what Míriel saw with the Palantír, it seems like anything that happens in that room could have consequences for Eärien have numeror. And when we talked to each other rings of power Author Gennifer Hutchison fully agreed.

While Eärien’s father, Elendil, is connected to those loyal to the elves, Hutchison said via Zoom, she is the family member who takes the more isolated Númenórean point of view. “She was left behind,” Hutchison said, “and by introducing her to this very intimate space with the King, we were able to hint at how conflict might arise that we have built so much on Númenor – and manage it more intimately, with.” Characters who are directly part of the story.”

Is Isildur dead?

Photo: Prime Video

Listen: no. He shows up in a big way very later in canon. But right now nobody on the show knows that except his horse. Thank god horse!

What does Galadriel do with the knowledge that Halbrand is Sauron?

Halbrand got his last manipulation in the eighth episode of The Rings of Power when he convinced Celebrimbor to make some rings (perhaps even of power), and it was precisely at this time that Galadriel finally realized what many have theorized and known for weeks: Half Rim is Sauron.

Although she rejects him and his offer of power, Galadriel does not reveal what she knows to anyone and essentially follows the guidance set out by the Finrod in her vision (cut the Finrod that Sauron placed in her vision) to do nothing to stop Sauron’s plan. With Halbrand/Sauron’s ring plan progressing (with the crucial – maybe? – addition of a third ring) and Galadriel looking like a goober for messing around with her sworn enemy all along, things aren’t looking good. Although it certainly builds some tension for Season 2, especially since…

What does Elrond do now that he knows Sauron is Halbrand?

Photo: Ben Rothstein/Prime Video

Although Galadriel does not share their news, Elrond is suspicious and wanders out to find the genealogy scroll, which leads him to the realization that Halbrand is Sauron. Unfortunately, he finds this message too late and arrives at the workshop just as the Elven Rings (the Rings of Power) are being completed.

Elrond has spent much of this season running around trying to more directly help Celebrimbor and Gil-galad figure out how to save the elves, harness the power of mithril, and generally do good in the world. The question that remains is: will Elrond keep his promise to trust Galadriel and not reveal what he knows?

Hutchison said that the challenge of Galadriel and Elrond’s friendship was forging a strong bond, even with the characters sharing so little screen time.

“When they get back together [in this episode] it’s such a big moment for her – he sent her away and now she’s back. He’s between his guilt, “I should have trusted you,” and he’s also just so happy to see her. It was a hard time, now your friend is back. We tried to really invest that in that scene where the two were talking to each other about what happened. Thankfully, these actors are so wonderful and incredible that I feel like they can actually play those subtleties.”

This dilemma was one of the important pillars of the episode. “I think it’s pretty clear at the end that there’s a little bit of a conflict at that moment,” Hutchison said. ‘She asked a lot of him. We really wanted that. “This is the real test; you said you will trust me.’ We really wanted to make sure that came through.”

What will happen to Durin IV and his dwarven successor?

What we all know is that dwarves rule and there should be more of them in the world. Durin’s plan to (perhaps) overthrow his father, King Durin III, so he can continue mining for mithril. Sure, there’s a Balrog in the mix too, but I’m more interested in watching dwarves tear down and generally getting the party started.