‘The Rings of Power’ is Revealing a New Side of Sauron That Peter Jackson Never Could

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As a seasoned gamer and Tolkien enthusiast who’s traversed the treacherous landscapes of Middle-earth more times than I can count, I must say that the upcoming season 2 of ‘The Rings of Power’ has me thoroughly excited! The shift in focus from our beloved heroes to the enigmatic Sauron is not only intriguing but long overdue.

In just a few days, we’ll be experiencing the second season of ‘The Rings of Power’. Known for its captivating storyline, this show is set to take a fresh turn this season. According to the team behind it, the focus will shift from our beloved heroes to the villain in season 2. This season seems to be heading towards a psychological thriller genre, as Sauron will make an appearance under a new identity and a new alias.

In the original storyline, Sauron’s powers and abilities remain largely unexplored in live-action to date. Despite Peter Jackson‘s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’ trilogies being outstanding examples of fantasy adaptations, they didn’t fully delve into all that Sauron is capable of.

As a devoted fan, I found myself captivated in the first season by the enigmatic figure of Halbrand, portrayed by Charlie Vickers, who seemingly reigned as the tragic King of Southlands. However, what truly left me spellbound was the stunning revelation that this character, whom I had come to know, was merely one of the many disguises and identities that the cunning Sauron adopts.

As a devoted fan, let me emphasize that when we say “many,” we’re not exaggerating. Originally crafted as a Maia named Marion, which translates to ‘The Admirable,’ Sauron began his journey under Morgoth’s guidance. Over time, he transformed from admirable into something far darker, adopting more dreadful names and shapes.

If you’ve kept up with the marketing efforts for the show thus far, you might already know that Sauron or Halbrand will reappear under a different name in season 2. His new name is Annatar, which can be understood as “The Lord of the Gifts.”

Following Morgoth’s downfall during the First Age, Sauron was commanded to return to Valinor for judgment from Manwë. However, his arrogance and vanity prevented him from complying. Instead, he opted to conceal himself somewhere within Middle-Earth. As he perceived that the balance of power had shifted, he aimed to regain control over the world. His strategy began with manipulating elves, hoping they would succumb to his influence.

Instead of maintaining his original identity, he chose to assume various personas, including Artano (“High Smith”), Aulendil (servant of Aulë), and notably, Annatar, the “Lord of Gifts”.

Although many elves successfully avoided Sauron’s machinations, the artisans within Eregion, particularly the Jewel-smiths, were not as wary of his past exploits. One such smith was Celebrimbor, who unbeknownst to him, contributed to the execution of Sauron’s plan. This phase of Sauron’s existence played a crucial role in forging the Rings of Power. In season 1 of the show, it has been suggested that Celebrimbor will be the central focus as the elven smith is gradually corrupted by Sauron’s influence.

In terms of shape-shifting, it appears that the promotions have shown us a younger version of Saron, and flashback scenes will feature Jack Lowden portraying a Saron who is over a thousand years old but resembles elves with their ethereal grace. We’re excited to discover how exactly Sauron changed into his familiar form from the first season.

In Jackson’s films, Sauron was primarily depicted as an omnipresent malevolent force, enhancing the terror of the villain. The portrayal of Sauron in ‘The Rings of Power’ will offer a fresh perspective, introducing new layers that have long captivated fans who may not be familiar with the books.

In the films, Sauron has been known by multiple names, yet he didn’t physically transform on-screen; instead, his presence was predominantly conveyed through his ominous, fiery eye. Now, the series offers a chance for us to delve deeper, exploring the origins of Sauron’s evil manifestation as we’ve seen in the movies – a glimpse behind his indirect influence and unraveling the story of how this malevolent force came into being.

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2024-08-28 11:44