If nothing else, the second season of The Rings of Power sure made clear how “they were all of them deceived.” What an impressive step this show took.
Throughout season two of this Amazon Prime series, some characters took on bigger roles than the ones they had in the first season. For others, their screen time or impact — or both — dwindled.
Below, we’ll go through the top 10 characters from this season, based on their level of impact and how compelling they were.
10. Tom Bombadil
Who doesn’t love Old Tom?
The biggest character not featured in the Peter Jackson films finally got his due. Now, Old Tom didn’t get the chance to have as direct of an impact on the larger plots at play this season, but he’s more of a long-game guy anyway. His development of Gandalf was crucial.
Bombadil also provided background on the Dark Wizard, who we didn’t see much of either — but that guy absolutely has Saruman vibes. Still, there wasn’t as much movement in the Gandalf-Nori storyline.
Nori seems to be on her way out. Gandalf did develop a significant amount, but it wasn’t nearly as compelling as the other storylines from this season. Definitely some interesting bits of lore and connecting of dots, but there was only so much else from this part in their tale.
That said, I could listen to Old Tom talk about anything.
9. Princess Disa
King Durin III’s wild season two has weighed particularly heavily on his son and daughter-in-law. For Disa, she also experienced an extra level of frustration with her inability to communicate with the mountain. Although, she did redeem herself on that front later.
But while King Durin III created all the problems in Khazad-dum, Disa and Prince Durin IV were the driving forces pushing back. And it looks like those two will have a lot more to push back against next season.
Prince Durin IV will need to lean on Disa further if he’s going to make it through season three and come out on top. But something tells me Disa will have to battle for Prince Durin IV’s ear next season with a certain ring; even though her support and pushback in season two is why Prince Durin IV is in position to continue his ascension.
8. Queen Miriel
Of this group, she’s had the least amount of screen time. But, what she has done with her opportunities is a different conversation.
Despite her own mistakes, Queen Miriel has been the center of political manipulation. Between Earin’s betrayal on Pharazon’s behalf and Pharazon’s quick-thinking when the eagle showed up in S2E3 (The Eagle and Sceptre), a moment that should have been hers was stolen. If you weren’t already thinking the eagle showed up for Queen Miriel, her attempted sacrifice on Elendil’s behalf proved she’s a true leader — both in terms of personality and divinity.
“Queen of the Sea” indeed. It may have been quick and quiet, but her scene with the sea worm was powerful. It also perfectly sums up Miriel. She continues to be under threat, but she does not waiver.
7. King Durin
What a way to go out. Glad King Durin III had his final moment, because season two was a rough one for the King of Khazad-dum.
Fighting with his son. Fighting with his daughter-in-law. Corrupted by one of the rings of power. Although he may have felt good about himself throughout much of it, a lot went wrong for King Durin III. And he’s left his people in a tight spot.
But, these factors are what place him among the second season’s best. The most important thing he did above all else is illustrate what the rings of power can do. We saw High King Gil-galad subtly reaching for his ring in crucial moments. Galadriel has provided a nice before and after look. But it’s King Durin III who has shown what happens when a different species is handed one of these rings.
Imagine what’ll happen when the nine get their rings? (That is, before they turn into wraiths.)
6. Elrond
As much as Galadriel in season one was very different from the one fans met in The Fellowship of the Ring, Elrond in season one felt like an even greater shift.
That said, it was essential to establish the diplomatic side of Elrond, given the role he plays in the destruction of the One Ring. But between the character’s known prowess as both a warrior and leader, as well as Hugo Weaving portrayal in Jackson’s films, this younger version of Elrond was quite the change.
The second season of The Rings of Power displayed the start of Elrond’s evolution into a warrior. More importantly, we learned about some additional layers that will help lead to the hardening of his personality — beyond his combat experience (Galadriel’s behavior, his relationship with Prince Durin).
5. Prince Durin
Standing up to a parent is a big step for anyone. Now, imagine that parent is one of your species’ most powerful kings. Yeah, no thanks.
Princess Disa helped Prince Durin IV on this front in a lot of ways. But, he’s still the face of the group that stood opposite King Durin III. Also, Prince Durin IV managed to ride that momentum to place himself among the impressive leaders who proved themselves throughout this season.
Season two is only the beginning for Prince Durin IV. Although it’s a bit different from what the elves are dealing with, he and Disa have as tough a road ahead as any going into season three.
4. Galadriel
She was probably No. 2 in the first season, but that’s also because there was such a heavy focus on her and Halbrand. We still spent a lot of time with Galadriel season two, but a few other characters got fleshed out more and played larger roles.
That said, she had a very wild end to her season. Between her experience as a ring bearer, Sauron’s games and her final interaction with Celebrimbor, we just witnessed the start of her transformation from warrior to Lady of the Wood.
But while she is finally moving toward the light, she still had a challenging season. What happened with Celebrimbor is partially on her. She wasn’t manipulated by her ring to the level of King Durin III, but she was far worse off than High King Gil-galad. She pushed her friendship with Elrond to the brink. Adar worked her over. (Sheesh, that’s a tough list.)
Morfydd Clark has been asked to do a lot with this character since season one, and she’s risen to the occasion at every turn. Regardless of whether she’s making another mistake or mixing in another killer action sequence, Galadriel has been outstanding.
3. Celebrimbor
LOTR fans knew it was going to be a rough go for Celebrimbor, but my goodness. If not for that little mouse, he might still be stuck in that loop. (Anyone else wondering if the rat from Avengers: Endgame is a descendant of this mouse?)
No one looked worse than Celebrimbor this season. He fell into Sauron’s trap more easily than anyone, even though Galadriel gave him the heads up to stay away from Halbrand at the end of season one.
But that’s the brilliance of Sauron. Deception is kind of his thing.
Charles Edwards had a tough task with this character. Similar to Galadriel, but with much larger swings, he ran the gamut of emotions. Yet up until the end, he was frustratingly compelling — contributing one last ripple through a powerful LOTR speech before the end.
2. Elendil
I don’t say this lightly: I’d run through a wall for the captain.
Of the characters featured prominently in season one of The Rings of Power, no one’s stock rose more than Elendil’s in season two. Heck, his devotion to Queen Miriel is part of why she made this list.
Now, as a parent, he may be lacking. Even with her slight redemption in the finale, his daughter, Earin is just about as insufferable as it gets — only to be outdone by that weasel Kemen. Isildur seems changed for the better, but not because of anything his dad did in season two, since they never saw one another (and Elendil thinks he’s dead). Elendil’s failures as a father may be the result of his sense of duty for Numenor — plus, he’s a single parent — but he still isn’t even the worst father featured on this show.
What’s so amazing about Lloyd Owen’s performance and the way he’s been written this season: Elendil went from a stiff rule-follower to someone who pushes back when needed. Like so many others, a lot went wrong for Elendil this season. No one, however, has responded as powerfully as him.
“Faith is not faith if it is not lived.”
1. Sauron
You can make arguments for reshuffling various groupings on this list, but there’s no question who reigns supreme. Or…does that mean he’s got his hooks into me, too?
Charlie Vickers has been brilliant. This character comes with loftier expectations than any, yet Vickers has come through every step of the way.
Sauron twisted everyone in knots throughout this season, but the manner in which the show’s writers attempted to manipulate viewers through him was perfect. His whole bit about Morgoth’s cruelty may be true, but this idea that Sauron just wants to help everyone is laughable. It’s not really considered help when everything has to be on your terms. Yet, Vickers and the writers do an amazing job of making it seem like that’s what Sauron is trying to do.
Villains are generally the hero of their own story. But while some villains wind up being exposed as false heroes by their plan, Sauron’s personality is what reveals him to be the monster that he is.
