After a long wait, Prime Video has finally released the first teaser for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2. As expected, the preview makes several revelations, like Sauron’s new look, but there are likely some things you may have missed at first watch.
The Rings of Power Season 2 teaser drops several clues about what will happen when the series returns to the Second Age of Middle-earth.
It’s also packed with Easter eggs and references to J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic novels, hinting that the new season will have wider ties to The Lord of the Rings mythology.
Here are the five things you probably missed in The Rings of Power Season 2 teaser.
The Introduction of Annatar
The first season finale showed Halbrand being unmasked as the real Sauron. You're mistaken if you think this is the end of his disguises.
The teaser shows Sauron’s new look, with pale hair and Elven ears from Eregion.
However, when a voiceover says, “I think he has been here. I think he’s been here among us all along.”
It looks like Sauron has once again disguised as Annatar.
In the second Age, Sauron appeared in “a fair form” and took the false identity of Annatar, the Lord of Gifts.
He lived among the Elves and in the kingdom of Númenor, a place he aimed to destroy.
A New Adar
The Rings of Power Season 2 teaser shows Adar's return, though many may not have noticed it due to his new look.
He looks a little different, but he’s still Adar. Joseph Mawle played the leader of the Orcs in the first season.
But due to scheduling issues, the show was forced to recast, and Sam Hazeldine now took the mantle.
Despite being played by a new actor, Adar still looks as eerie as before.
Elves and Men’s Alliance
Arondir also briefly appears in the teaser, but it’s every inch meaty. It shows him in action and forming an unlikely alliance between the Elves and the Men.
To the surprise of many, Isildur is alive, and many may have missed his quick teaser cameo.
After a burning house fell on him during the eruption of Mount Doom, many thought he was already dead. Even his father thought he was gone.
But with his major role in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, cutting the One Ring from Sauron’s hand though refusing to destroy it, there’s no way he won’t return.
His alliance with Arondir seems to refer to The Last Alliance of the two races, who stood up against Sauron and his evil forces.
The Stranger in Rhûn
The Stranger also briefly appears in The Rings of Power Season 2, though he’s not with Nori.
In the previous season finale, the two left the Harfoots and travelled to Rhûn.
Though the preview didn’t confirm exactly where they are, it appears they have made it to the East.
The Stranger, later confirmed to be an Itari, the Middle-earth’s wizards, uses his staff to slam the barren, dusty ground.
By the looks of it, he’s trying to draw water up from beneath the ground with a worn well behind him.
The Emergence of Barad-dûr
The teaser begins where the previous season left off: Sauron at Mount Doom.
However, it eventually gives a first glimpse of what looks like Barad-dûr.
Fans who have watched The Lord of the Rings trilogy know that this is Sauron’s central stronghold and seat of power in Mordor.
Though it has a different design than the original trilogy, it’s still recognisable.
And for a little hint, the massive tower in the middle is the infamous Two Towers, where the Eye of Sauron resides in the movies.
The over 100-second teaser features several references and Easter eggs that didn’t make the list. So, what else have you noticed?
The Rings of Power Season 2 will be released on August 29 on Prime Video.
READ MORE: House of the Dragon Season 2: Release Schedule and New Trailer
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