The third season of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” premiered on Prime Video on Wednesday, launching with a simultaneous release of its first four episodes. The new installment answered several long-standing questions regarding J.R.R. Tolkien’s lore while delivering major character turns across Middle-earth and the island kingdom of Númenor.
Clarifying Sauron’s role in the Elven rings
The premiere quickly resolved a four-year debate among fans concerning how much influence Sauron had over the creation of the Three Elven Rings, TVLine reported. In an opening monologue by Galadriel, played by Morfydd Clark, the series confirmed that the three rings were forged without Sauron ever touching them. This detail establishes that Elven realms such as Lindon and Rivendell remain protected by powers untainted by the Dark Lord, despite Sauron—disguised as Halbrand, played by Charlie Vickers—having previously helped the Elven smith Celebrimbor, played by Charles Edward, devise the initial ring formula in Season 1.
However, new dangers to Middle-earth quickly surfaced. In Episode 2, a rogue orc named Marnûkh revealed to Elven and Dwarven leaders that Sauron is attempting to forge a master ring to control all other rings of power, Decider reported. According to Marnûkh, Sauron holds Maitalle, the last surviving Elven-smith from Celebrimbor’s workshop, captive inside the fortress of Gundabad to help complete his plan.
Unveiling the fate of the Blue Wizards
In Episode 3, the series addressed the fate of the Blue Wizards, figures who were only briefly referenced in Tolkien’s writings such as “The Silmarillion” and “Unfinished Tales,” according to TheWrap. While seeking guidance after visiting Tom Bombadil, Gandalf spoke directly to The Secret Fire and learned details about the five Istari sent to Middle-earth.
The Secret Fire revealed that the Dark Wizard gathering strength in Rhûn is actually the Blue Wizard Pallando, TheWrap reported. Pallando betrayed and murdered his fellow Blue Wizard, Alatar, in a bid for greater power that left Rhûn in ruins. Rather than commanding Gandalf to destroy Pallando, The Secret Fire instructed him to save the fallen wizard so they can jointly stop Rhûn’s armies from joining Sauron.
Key character deaths in Númenor and Middle-earth
The four-episode premiere also featured significant character deaths across multiple storylines. In Númenor, political tensions escalated under the usurper king Ar-Pharazôn, played by Trystan Gravelle, who faced secret opposition from the Faithful led by Elendil, played by Lloyd Owen, Decider reported. Elendil’s daughter Eärien, played by Ema Horvath, acted as a double agent inside the palace to assist the rebellion. In Episode 2, after chief counselor Lord Belzagar, played by Will Keen, discovered her treason, Eärien died by suicide by jumping off a balcony rather than facing torture, /Film and Decider reported. (If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988.)
In Mordor, the young character Theo, played by Tyroe Muhafidin, was manipulated by Sauron into accepting a glowing white ring, Decider reported. By Episode 4, Theo was transformed into a Ringwraith and ordered by Sauron to kill the Elven warrior Arondir, played by Ismael Cruz Córdova, ending Arondir’s journey in the series, /Film reported.
What lies ahead
With Prime Video releasing subsequent episodes on a weekly basis each Wednesday, upcoming chapters will focus on whether Gandalf can redeem Pallando before Rhûn aligns with Mordor. Viewers will also see how Galadriel and her allies respond to Sauron’s attempt to capture the last Elven-smith at Gundabad and forge a master ring.
