I have often heard criticism of Gil-galad's behaviour in S1, because he manipulates Elrond and arranges a situation (along with Celebrimbor) where Elrond would have to visit Khazad-dum and discover whether Dwarves have found mithril. But consider the alternative. What if Gil-galad had told Elrond the truth about the real reason for his mission to Khazad-dum? Then one of the two things would happen:
1) Elrond would be honest with Durin and tell him that he had come for mithril. That would hurt Durin terribly, as his good friend who had been absent for twenty years only reconnected with him because of the magical ore;
2) Elrond would lie to Durin and tell him that he had come to renew their friendship. This would work better, but it would weigh heavily on Elrond's conscience.
In conclusion, I believe Gil-galad takes it on himself to do something morally problematic, so that Elrond wouldn't have to.

I will share a download once it's complete. It is automated - just need to manually update the tracker.

Let me know what you all think!

If anyone is interested in spending time learning about the music of Bear's soundtracks for RoP, there's a new series starting on YouTube by Phillip Menzies (he's writing the soundtrack for Signum University's SilmFilm project). He's going to discuss themes and break down the A themes, B themes and ostinatos for each of them. You can watch his intro video here: https://youtu.be/AZZG5JN9GbI?si=P-Qg_LpGoUbdQK4p

I think it sounds like it's going to be a fun series!

Oh -- and there WILL be spoilers.

(Art by me)

I do like that the show seems to be continuing the silly dwarf hair designs from the hobbit films. Especially since the characters are teens and therefore more likely to experiment with looking like a glorified troll doll.

The bigger the hair the closer to Aulë ig

Currently polishing this off in Google Sheets. But I'm super excited to see how this goes! Looking forward to season 3.

I'm not sure if what Elrond said to Galadriel was a clear confirmation that several Elves had actually died while trying to find Sauron, but this most definitely came back to him as he led Elves to save Eregion and watched them all perish around him, surviving to carry a very heavy conscience.

I think what they are going for is much more complex and thought through and steeped in the lore than people get it credit for (it's obviously fanfiction though - but if you don't mind that, I think it's a great story that they've created). I had a lot of fun trying to figure it out, and I think I've finally did it, but I'm hesitant to share because a lot of people foam at the mouth at the very mention of it, and being downvoted and agrueing with haters it not fun.

https://seriesgraph.com/show/84773-the-lord-of-the-rings-the-rings-of-power

EDIT: my bad, please ignore 'official reviews' from the title. the first slide are the website's user ratings. i thought initially it was sourced from Rotten Tomatoes' critic scores of 84% (season 1) and 85% (season 2).

The anticipation of growing more hemorrhoids this show has given me is 🔥

But don't let him actually set foot in them because it will surely end badly and doom them.

(It's a good thing he never physically entered Lindon. I don't think they would change that.)

I've seen some similarities between Celebrimbor's forge and Sauron's in Barad-dûr, but now I wonder how Mordor will appear in contrast to Númenor. Will it be desolate and quiet, or absolutely cacophonic, flaming with violence?

In the Second Age Numenor the Greatest kingdom of men was destroyed by Eru illuvatar for turning to a dark path and trying to invade Valinor. Most of this was a result of Sauron's influence when he let himself be captured so he could corrupt them from within, he even got them to start worshipping Morgoth with human sacrifices. What I don't understand is why lead them to their own destruction when he could have used them. Sauron spent most of his life corrupting other kingdoms and powerful beings and either destroying or turning them to serve him. Numenor possessed a great military power, one that would surely have greatly aided him in his conquest of Middle Earth. Yet he chose to lead them to destruction, why?

What are your stupid and trivial (but nevertheless amazingly positive and constructive) Middle Earth RoP questions? Any equally dumb answers?

My top three:

1. Why doesn't Numenor have fountains? They have the plumbing prowess and the climate, so?
2. And what about cable cars? Chair lifts? The dwarves have elevators already! ¹
3. The giant ship's prow structure of Numenor's royal palace is impressive. What on earth do they keep inside it? (Water? Extra elves?)
4. Why didn't Waldreg dress better when he became one of Adar's top lieutenants?
5. Has some silly scholar already compiled the complete book of Sindarin curse expressions?

¹ I don't believe the rich want to do a slow trek up to their fancy hill-top homes, hauling all their (formerly) fresh seafood without mechanical assistance. I hope the rising dark lord of industrial progress will know what to do about this.

There might still be some disagreements between Elves, but I hope Círdan's advice will be put into effect in some way because it sounds like the Elven rings could maybe have some ill effects on those who wear them (even though they are used for good). They must stay united and support each other as Sauron is attempting to crush them.

I also hope to see more of (bearded) Círdan. He was undisturbed by his ring then, but perhaps this will have changed when we see him again.

They didn't share much about the Moriondor's past, but they pretty much implied they were all dead except for Adar at the time who stayed close to Sauron.

It's only a guess, but maybe they'll explain that one or all of them had Elven captives (with Celeborn among them), but once the Moriondor perished, the orcs under them roamed as they pleased, having no affiliation with Adar, and not caring to regroup under Sauron.

From the first reveal of the balrog way back in the trailer for season one, I have, like many, assumed that the show would be unable to resist moving the Fall of Khazad-Dûm forward into the Second Age. That being said, I’m starting to reevaluate that assumption based on several considerations…

1. It seems highly likely that season 3 will involve Thrain usurping the throne from Durin, and that the royal family will be exiled.
2. Many of major characters will die and many of the major realms will fall in seasons 4-5.
3. Tolkien noted that Dwarves fought on both sides in the war of the last alliance. 
4. The canonical timeline of the fall of Khazad-Dûm is many centuries beyond the Second Age.
5. We know that Balrog is going to be present throughout the series.
6. The showrunners have spoken of the balrog as a physical manifestation of a familial sin / generational curse passed down through Durin’s line.
7. It seems to me the show will need at least one to two episodes after the Fall of Sauron to tie up all the plot threads and loose ends.
8. Being rooted in Tolkien, I feel that the shows ending with strive to be bittersweet, but end on largely hopeful notes.

So here’s how I’ve begun to think it may play out… Khazad-Dûm will be the Second Age Scouring of the Shire: Durin will be return home from Mordor to a crisis and overcome it with the skills he has learned along the way... Here’s a proposed outline…

Season 3

• The refusal of Durin to distribute the rings to the other dwarf lords, and the arrival of Thrain sets Khazad-Dûm up for a succession crisis.
• At some point, Sauron comes to Khazad-Dum to speak to the balrog. We know from the trailers that Durin confronts some of the nine and presumably Sauron.
• During or because of this confrontation, Thrain usurps the throne and Durin and family are exiled, likely traveling to Imladris or a friendly dwarven kingdom.
• It’s possible that Thrain leverages the fact that Durin and Disa did not reveal the existence of the balrog under Khazad-Dum to take the throne.
• Sauron somehow imprisons the Balrog in the abyss for refusing to join him, and as a gift to Thrain.
• Thrian distributes the seven to the other dwarf lords who were promised them and some or all ally with Sauron.

Season 4

• It’s hard to speculate what exactly will be going on in middle earth in season 4, although it seems a good time to me to mostly wrap up the Harfoot subplot (they can cameo with Gandalf at the very end of the series).
• The Dwarven plot is primarily concerned with Durin retaking Khazad-Dûm with the help of Elrond and the elves. The season ends with Durin again on the throne and installing the Doors of Durin made by Celebrimbor in the West gate. I get that it’s a major shift in the timeline, but how could we not see the doors get installed and lit up?
• Option 1: Thrain is exiled and goes to Mordor, or to one of the Dwarven lords allied with Sauron.
• Option 2: Thrain is imprisoned.
• I’m not quite sure how the Balrog factors into this season. I honestly wish he wouldn’t. But maybe we see him briefly like in season 1.
• Pregnant Galadriel and Celeborn pass through Khazad-Dûm and found Lothlorien at seasons end.

Season 5

• Durin’s folk join the last alliance and fight to vanquish Sauron. 
• Several or most of the Dwarven lords ally with Sauron and fight against the LA. 
• Depending on the endgame plan with Durin’s ring, perhaps one or more of the Seven side with the last alliance and prove to Durin the rings can be (seemingly) safely worn?
• If season 4 chooses option 1, Thrain and Durin have a showdown in Mordor, where Durin is forced to kill his brother. He takes the ring in remembrance of his father and brother (mirroring Isildur).
• If season 4 follows option 2, Thrain breaks free (or is released by loyalists) while Durin and the army are off at the Seige of Baradur. He goes to release the Balrog from the abyss and tries to strike a deal with him. Thrain is killed by the Balrog.
• In either case, Durin returns to Khazad-Dûm to the Balrog on rampage. He dons the ring to fight back and ultimately defeats the balrog where his father and brother failed. Using the ring’s power to reveal faults in the mountain, Durin buries the balrog beneath the mountain to awake in a later age.
• FWIW, I prefer option 2 all the way.

Again, this is entirely speculation. But I’m becoming more convinced that the show might not be moving the fall of Khazad-dûm forward. It’s the one major plot line (besides the Harfoots) that can end with the main characters alive and well, and it can provide ROP with its own Scouring of the Shire. 

What do you all think? Will we see the fall of Khazad-Dûm on screen?

"My lord, we must go; Eriador awaits us."

" Five more minutes..."

" But, my lord..."

*a barely perceptible glance as he turns his face slightly*

"Yes, my lord; at once, my lord; we await your orders."

https://screenrant.com/2026-fall-tv-preview-exclusive-images/

I remembered the Oathbreakers the other day, and realised they’ll have to show up in the show at some point. They’ll pledge themselves to Isildur, but then betray him and be cursed. Do people have theories as to who they may be in the show?

Back in Season One, my Halbrand theory was that either he would be Sauron, or he could be the king of the Oathbreakers. He had a handful of scenes with Isildur, but he also seemed the kind of person to betray him. Obviously that didn’t end up happening, and I’m curious now as to how they’ll introduce this group for the show.

don't mind me, the accidental color coordination in recent photoshoot releases are just magnificent to look at. photos came from millermode and jonnymarlow on IG!

Season 1 and a US listing should be coming along soon. I can’t believe it’s finally happening!

I have seen insane ammount of people claiming Sauron should never have a face or body from flesh and it is killing character 😁 "should be metal gigant" "faceless dark lord" "it takes all might from character" etc 😂 Especially during s3 promo where Sauron reminds more and more Dark Lord as he should. Because Tolkien said he becomes second Dark Lord with forging of the One Ring.

Do people read the books?

Sauron in Second Age is taking part in almost all main events. How can't he be character and how can he deceive elves and men in form of dark lord?

Quotes from many different Tolkien's work

"In his earlier incarnation he was able to veil his power (as Gandalf did) and could appear as a commanding figure of great strength of body and supremely royal demeanour and countenance."

"A mask he still could wear so that if he wished he might deceive the eyes of Men, seeming to them wise and fair."

"But at the beginning of the Second Age he was still beautiful to look at, or could still assume a beautiful visible shape – and was not indeed wholly evil"

"When he came among the Noldor he adopted a specious fair form (a kind of simulated anticipation of the later Istari) and a fair name: Artano “high smith” or Aulendil meaning one devoted to the service of the Vala Aulë." 

"Upon that ship which was cast the highest and stood dry upon a hill there was a man, or one in man’s shape, but greater than any even of the race of Numenor in stature...And it seemed to men that Sauron was great; though they feared the light of his eyes. To many he appeared fair, to others terrible; but to some evil.”