The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power returns for season 3 on Prime Video starting Nov. 11, and we're in for quite the treat this season. This is definitely going to be the biggest season of the series so far, and there are few major events that we're expecting to see this season. Those events should provide some long-awaited answers for fans of The Lord of the Rings.
For the most part, these events are not spoilers for anyone who has watched The Lord of the Rings and The Rings of Power. You know these events happen; you probably just didn't know that they were going to happen in season 3. The trailer revealed a lot of big moments to expect in the new season, and those moments should bring a lot of clarity.
Let's get the list of big moments to expect in The Rings of Power season 3 started with the forging of the One Ring!
Does Sauron forge the One Ring?
We're through two seasons of The Rings of Power, and Sauron, played by Charlie Vickers, has yet to create the One Ring, the one who rules them all, brings them all in, and in the darkness binds them. So, this is good news!
I think one of the biggest criticisms of The Rings of Power is the show's pacing and how slowly the series gets to its big moments. The first season was crafted around a big reveal with Halbrand and Gandalf (Daniel Weyman), along with the eruption of Mount Doom, which sparks the creation of Mordor. In season 2, we saw Sauron begin to craft and distribute the key rings to gain control over those in power around Middle-earth. Now, in season 3, we're getting a bit of a time jump that sets up Sauron creating the One Ring.
Now, we know some things about when the One Ring was, like around when and how Sauron created the ring, but we don't know exactly how he brought his own power into the process.
Again, we all know that's coming soon. It's kind of the thing that launched the best movie trilogy in the film history, Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings. I'm sure there will be challenges, but from the trailer, it looks like we will see Sauron's plan ultimately succeed. At what cost, though? That's what I'm excited to find out.
Where has Celeborn been?
Celeborn is officially back, and he's going to be reuniting with Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) in The Rings of Power season 3. Jamie Campbell Bower has joined the cast of the new season, and he's been all over the press tour! The Stranger Things star is a dynamic performer who brings a lot to the table, and I can't wait to see what J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay have cooked up.
For those who don't know, Celeborn is Galadriel's husband, and in the series, he has been completely absent. Where he's been has been kind of a mystery. It's presumed that he was killed in a battle with Morgoth during the First Age, but we don't know that for sure. Clearly, he's also not dead, which is very cool for Galadriel. That should add something to her story this season; her husband is basically returning from the dead centuries after Galadriel last saw him.
Now, this is very different than Tolkien's stories, but remember, McKay and Payne are basically working through an incomplete timeline and summary of events with this material. But I don't think that it should detract from the fact that we have a major player joining the cast at a very opportune time. And it's going to be interesting to see just how Celeborn's return and story play out this season.
Who exactly are the Nazgûl?
Of all the things happening in The Rings of Power season 3, Sauron's formation of the Nazgnagôl, also known later as the Nazgûl or Ringwraiths, is the thing I'm most excited to see. Based on the trailer, we know we're going to see at least a few of the Nazgûl in the third season, but we don't know exactly what to expect.
As a huge fan of The Lord of the Rings, the Nazgûl are a huge source of nostalgia for me. There's nothing like seeing the Black Riders for the first time in the Shire, in Bree when they try to murder Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, and again on Weathertop when Frodo is stabbed with the Morgul-blade.
After all this time, we still don't know that much about the Nazgûl. We know that they are nine kings of men, and two of their identities have been revealed. Everyone knows the Witch-king of Angmar from The Battle of Pellenor Fields in The Return of the King, but we still don't know what his mortal name was. Most fans are probably less familiar with Khamûl the Easterling, but that leaves, potentially, eight characters from The Rings of Power that will become the Nazgûl in the third season and beyond. This could lead to the biggest reveal of the season, so that's something I'm definitely excited to see.
Those are three big things we can't wait to see in the new season! Honestly, with where this show started and how long it's taken to get here, it feels good knowing that we're on the precipice of something that could take this show to another level. I'm not saying it's going to be Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon level, but for the first time, it feels like the stars are aligning for The Rings of Power in a way we haven't seen yet.
There are also some more big things to expect in season 3, as well. There's a major war for Middle-earth taking place between, largely, the elves and Sauron's forces. That will likely change as well. We should also see some other characters start to cross paths with Gandalf in the new season. There's also a lot of drama with those of Numenor on the horizon, as well as some serious business with a Balrog to take care of in the depths of Khazad-dûm.
Watch The Rings of Power season 3 on Prime Video starting on Thursday, Nov. 11. The first four episodes of the season will be released, followed by the next two episodes on Thursday, Nov. 18. Then, the penultimate episode and season finale will be released on Thursday, Nov. 25.
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