5 Convincing Theories for Season 3 of The Rings of Power

This article discusses potential spoilers for both The Silmarillion and season 3 of The Rings of Power. The acclaimed series, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, continues to surprise audiences. Since its debut on Amazon Prime Video in 2022, the series has garnered significant praise, achieving high ratings across its two seasons, despite creating a divide among Tolkien enthusiasts due to its interpretation of J. R.R. Tolkien’s lore. Featuring beloved characters from the Lord of the Rings saga alongside original creations, the connections between these figures have emerged as a focal point of interest.

Many fans expressed frustration over the liberties taken with Tolkien’s source material, with the series teasing the identities of its original characters. This invites speculation about which established Tolkien figures they might correspond to, an aspect I personally appreciate. The Second Age of Lord of the Rings is not extensively defined in the texts, which leaves ample room for creative adaptation. This leniency means that inventing dialogues and plots from scratch was inevitable, making the mysteries engaging rather than a departure from established lore. Here are my top predictions for the upcoming season.

1 A Flashback Featuring Elrond Will Kick Off Season 3

Elrond’s Role Will Expand Significantly

Based on information about The Rings of Power season 3, it seems highly likely that the season will open with a flashback featuring Elrond. Showrunners Patrick McKay and J. D.Payne hinted in a Reddit Q&A that each season could begin with a different slice of Middle-earth centered around various characters. They stated, “We have a flashback that would start season three, ”although this could be subject to adjustment.

Elrond’s arrival in a sanctuary at the end of season 2 aligns with canon, as he is expected to develop this area into the magnificent Rivendell recognized in the Third Age. Following the pattern of opening flashbacks featuring pivotal characters, an Elrond flashback for season 3 would complement similar introductions for Galadriel in the first season and Sauron in the second. Unlike Gandalf, who is focused on rediscovering his past, Elrond’s rising prominence in Rivendell makes him a fitting character to lead the season’s first flashback.

2 Kemen’s Path Leads to Ringwraith Transformation

Kemen and Ar-Pharazôn Will Take Center Stage

The narrative in The Rings of Power is gearing up to address the fall of Númenor, and the portrayal of Kemen and Ar-Pharazôn suggests Kemen’s journey could lead him toward becoming a Ringwraith. Development around these characters is gathering momentum, with hints at the iconic Númenor storyline taken from the Akalabêth segment of The Silmarillion. With the rights to elements from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, the series could even employ outlines from the appendices related to the Second Age.

Kemen, portrayed with a notably sinister charisma, mirrors infamous characters like Joffrey Baratheon from Game of Thrones. As Sauron’s influence grows, he is poised to distribute Rings of Men before forging the One Ring. The transition wherein Sauron is taken to Númenor, willingly held captive by Pharazôn, appears critical to his plan of corruption. Notably, three Rings were presented to Númenórean lords, and it doesn’t stretch the timeline for Kemen to receive a ring during this arc.

3 Theo Will Reveal His Connection to Théoden

Theo’s Ancestry Holds Key Significance

Theo’s character has emerged as a mystery within The Rings of Power. With a deceased mother and an unknown father, speculation suggests he could be the ancestor of Théoden. While introducing Theo as a significant Lord of the Rings character might disrupt some fans, this creative choice could serve a vital narrative purpose over the show’s five seasons. By intertwining original characters with established lore, the series can maintain engagement.

Positioning Theo as a direct ancestor of Théoden could be seamlessly integrated into existing lore. Eorl, the founder of Rohan and Théoden’s progenitor, provides a potential lineage where Theo might serve as a forefather, thereby justifying the naming choices surrounding him and his mother, Bronwyn. This connection would also enrich Bronwyn’s connection to alfirin, a flower tied to the graves of the Rohirrim in the Lord of the Rings.

4 Nori’s Journey Will Lead to the Founding of the Shire

The Harfoots’ Role Will Expand

I am convinced that Nori’s story arc in The Rings of Power will culminate in her founding the Shire. As she ventures westward with the Stoors, Nori is set to play a crucial role in the formation of the Hobbit species, which combines the Harfoots, Stoors, and Fallohides. By the conclusion of season 2, she is out east, having discovered Stoors in Rhûn and leaving the Harfoots behind. Her return journey could unite two of the three tribes essential for Hobbit ancestry.

Tolkien, in his writings, explored the ancient history of Hobbits, providing a framework for the series to follow. The show might also introduce the Fallohides during this narrative. Under the looming threat of Sauron, who is rising to power leading up to the burning of Númenor, the Hobbits might find themselves compelled to travel further west, potentially aided by Nori.

5 The Dark Wizard Will Likely Be a Blue Wizard

The Identity of the Dark Wizard Revealed

The identity of the Dark Wizard in The Rings of Power appears to point toward him being a Blue Wizard, as mentioned by the showrunners during their Reddit Q&A session. While this remains a theory, it’s rooted in their careful phrasing regarding established characters like Saruman. When queried about the Dark Wizard’s identity, they indicated, “It’s just very hard to imagine that the Dark Wizard would be Saruman, ”further elaborating:

We know there are five wizards talked about in The Lord of the Rings. One of them is Saruman, one of them is Gandalf, one of them is Radagast, and then there are two others. It is our expectation that he will be one of those two others.

This suggests that the Dark Wizard is likely not Saruman, nor does he resemble Radagast, which leaves the possibility of him being one of the lesser-known Blue Wizards. The uncertainty surrounding his true identity remains an enticing mystery in anticipation of season 3 of The Rings of Power. As the series progresses, viewers are sure to stay engaged with this unraveling narrative.

Source: Reddit

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