Prime Video’s fantasy epic “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” returned Wednesday for its third season, thrusting viewers into a darker chapter of Middle-earth five years after the ruinous Battle of Eregion.
The series, led by showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne, drops its first four episodes of the new run on Wednesday, according to Decider. The premiere picks up the pieces of an explosive sophomore finale that saw Sauron fully drop his disguise, execute his rivals, and seize control over hordes of Orcs to wage open war against the Free Peoples.
The fall of Eregion and the Elven retreat
Season 2 built steadily toward the siege of the Elven realm of Eregion, Collider reported. Sauron, played by Charlie Vickers, manipulated master smith Celebrimbor while masquerading as Annatar, Lord of Gifts, coaxing him into forging rings for Dwarves and mortal Men. Celebrimbor ultimately saw past the deception, but the revelation arrived too late to avert catastrophe.
Adar and his Orc forces attacked the city before the Orcs turned on Adar, siding with Sauron and killing their former leader, TVLine reported. Sauron executed Celebrimbor, took possession of the nine rings forged for Men, and dueled Galadriel, leaving her wounded before she managed to flee with her own ring of power, according to TheWrap. Surviving Elves, led by High King Gil-galad and Elrond, withdrew north toward a secluded valley intended to become the haven of Rivendell.
Dwarven succession and a wizard’s true name
Beneath the earth in Khazad-dûm, the Dwarves endured their own internal devastation. King Durin III fell into madness and greed while wielding one of the rings of power, compelling his miners to dig dangerously deep for mithril despite warnings from Prince Durin IV and Princess Disa. The relentless tunneling stirred an ancient Balrog. In a final act of redemption, the elder monarch sacrificed himself to hold back the monster, leaving the kingdom in turmoil and his son to claim the throne amid challenges from his brother.
Meanwhile, the mystery surrounding the amnesiac traveler known as the Stranger reached a milestone in Rhûn. After defying the Dark Wizard and electing to rescue his companion proto-Hobbits, the figure earned his staff and accepted the moniker “Gandalf,” resolving to stand against the emerging shadow.
What lies ahead in Season 3
The new season leaps ahead five years, finding Sauron striving inside Mordor to forge the One Ring while haunted by spectral visions of Celebrimbor, Decider reported. The Elves remain committed to an offensive posture, while across the sea in Númenor, political tensions between Pharazôn’s King’s Men and the Faithful have degenerated into clandestine violence and arrests following Elendil’s flight with the blade Narsil.
New faces also emerge to reshape the conflict. According to Decider, Season 3 introduces Durin’s brother Thráin, played by Eddie Marsan, along with Isildur’s brother Anárion, portrayed by Andrew Richardson. Viewers will also encounter a rogue Orc named Marnûkh who seeks an alliance against Sauron, and witness the origin of the Nazgûl as the Dark Lord steadily ensnares mortal rulers with his cursed rings.
