Summary
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerhid Sauron from the audience for the entirety of season 1, but season 2 will do no such thing, and I’m worried that the show may give in to Hollywood trends that don’t do his character any favors.The Rings of Powerseason 1 finale explainedthat its original character Halbrand was Sauron, finally opening the main mystery box of the season. Although not popular with everyone, I have to say - this mystery box writing didn’t bother me. That said,I find myself praying that season 2 doesn’t betray literature’s greatest villainby repeating an overused trope.
As a Tolkien reader, I’m both a devoted fan and academically obsessed with the original source material. As such,I would like Tolkien’s legacy to continue the way he would have wanted it. At odds with this is how I am quite laid-back as a TV consumer because TV is how I zone out. Despite myself, I enjoyed the show, including some of its less Tolkienian elements. But I know thatThe Rings of Powerseason 2will focus heavily on Sauron, a literary and cinematic character with important moral lessons to share, and I really don’t want this to be mishandled.
Lord Of The Rings Complete Timeline Explained (Including Rings Of Power & New Movie)
Rings of Power and War of the Rohirrim explore different points in the Lord of the Rings timeline, which spans thousands of years in Middle-earth.
Showing Sauron’s Perspective In Rings Of Power Season 2 Risks Humanizing Him
Some Of Season 2’s Story May Be Told From Sauron’s Point Of View
Focusing on the dangerous, murderous Sauron inThe Rings of Powerseason 2 may lead audiences to like himor relate to him – a villain trope that has become increasingly popular for TV series. In an interview withGQ, Sauron actor Charlie Vickers confirmed that in season 2, we will “start to see Sauron’s journey - in the same way that we saw Galadriel’s origins.“Showrunners confirmed that season 2 will be “all about the villains” toTotal Filmin a printed feature. It looks to me like season 2 willexplain Sauron’s identitythrough his perspective. Even Sauron has feelings, but showing these more will risk humanizing him.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerwill air on August 06, 2025.
Granted, season 1 literally humanized him by having him assume a human form, and it did tempt pathos to a certain extent with the rogueish charm of his Halbrand act. But showing Sauron as Sauron, undisguised, away from prying eyes would open up the can of worms that is his complex, ancient reality and all the highs and lows that come with it. Intimate or not,a portrait of the villain, if shown from his perspective, would highlight his sufferingand probably some admirable qualities too - strength and intelligence. This may endear or connect him to viewers.
Is Sauron Supposed To Be Sympathized With In The Lord Of The Rings?
Sauron Is A Terrifying Villain In J.R.R Tolkien’s Work
There is a story in Sauron’s complexity, but he was meant to horrify. Having spent more time processing Tolkien’s work than I care to admit, I know there was a dichotomy between slaver and enslaved inherent in his character. Morgoth “seduced” him and “the bonds that Morgoth had laid upon him were very strong” - this could elicit sympathy. This was played up bySauron in the finale ofThe Rings of Powerseason 1. However,Tolkien’s most important and prevalent characterization of Sauron was of ruthless tyrannywith no respect for life, terrifyingly empowered. Never has this warning been more relevant.
In a letter published inThe Letters of J.R.R. Tolkienin 1981, Tolkien confirmed that he did not deal in absolute evil in his legendarium, as he didn’t believe it existed. He also confirmed that Sauron represented as close an approach to the wholly evil will as was possible.
Especially at the start ofTolkien’s Second Age, Sauron “was not… wholly evil” - he had “fair motives” and “Very slowly” became “a thing lusting for Complete Power.” Overall, I can see why the showrunners intend to show Sauron as “complexly evil” (in their own words toThe Hollywood Reporter) - it’s canonical. But Sauron’s origin story is a mere footnote in the villainy that madeLord of the Ringsso effective.Sauron wasn’t supposed to be sympathetic, he was supposed to be nauseating, demonstrating our real-world need to resist those who would rule with an iron fist.
Humanizing Sauron Would Continue A Strange Modern Franchise Trope
Hollywood Loves A Villain
Showrunners confirmed thatRings of Poweris indeed “an origin story for Sauron” toTheHollywood Reporter, which falls in line with Hollywood’s fixation on villains. Season 2 will dive deeper into these origins.This movie and TV trend has seen some of the world’s best baddies explained and humanizedon screen. Joker had his own movie in 2019, Cruella had hers in 2021, even serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer had their time in the limelight on Netflix. Perhaps it started with 1999’sStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, which is arguably Darth Vader’s origin story.
I’ll be the first to confess that I often find villains more compelling than heroes and that I enjoyedJokerthoroughly. However, a similar approach to Sauron would risk undoing the essence of what makes him such an iconic Tolkien villain, undermining his original purpose.Rings of Powerseason 2 must find a way to explainSauron’s full plan, conveying his demonic treachery, without making the audience feel sorry for him. That would undo Tolkien’s hard work in establishing him as the archetypal despot, a mirror to the most uncomfortable aspects of our own times.
What I loved about Heath Ledger’s Joker was thatThe Dark Knightrefused to confirm his true backstory. He was inexplicably amoral, a classic, grandstanding villain. I think this has been missing from productions somewhat.The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerhas an unprecedented opportunity to showSauron’s greatest powers, schemes, and drives. And whether in delight or mild annoyance, I’ll be watching. I just hope that the show delivers an incomprehensibly callous creature, rather than a man we can all understand just a little too much.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Cast
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
