All that is gold does not glitter, but Sauron sure does. Following two years, two strikes, and one Bombadillo, Lord Of The Rings: Rings Of Power returns to Comic Con's Hall H for season two. Sporting a darker tone, fan-favorite characters, and hopefully answers to what Sauron was doing in the middle of the ocean, Rings Of Power hopes to win over some critics of season one and set up an intense season two. Of course, we at The A.V. Club were big fans of season one’s warmth, its emphasis on the relationship between Elrond and Durin, and the episode where the Elves accidentally create Mordor. But with the table set for breakfast, second breakfast, and elevenses, Rings Of Power can go deeper into Tolkien’s world, animating some of the lost tales in the author’s legendarium. Showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay were joined on stage by their cast, including Morfydd Clark (Galadriel), Charlie Vickers (Halbrand), Daniel Weyman (The Stranger), Robert Aramayo (Elrond), Markella Kavenagh Markella Kavenagh (Nori). Throughout the hour-long presentation, Payne and McKay led fans through what to expect from the new season and all the darkness coming with it. Crucially though, we got a new trailer for season two. As with all Tolkien, the latest trailer promises hope without guarantees. We get glimpses of Sauron (Charlie Vickers) making his way to Mordor and taking the form of Annatar, the lord of gifts, who has a special one for Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards). Danger also awaits Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and Elrond (Robert Aramayo). Meanwhile, the symbiote black sludge of evil growing beneath Middle-earth, presumably on its way to becoming a real, live Balrog. But perhaps the most exciting reveal is Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear). Bombadil, often the first character cut from any adaptation of Tolkien’s work, is a confounding creation that readers still haven’t cracked. Is he the embodiment of nature? God? A way for Tolkien to tell readers to loosen up? Either way, we look forward to him telling The Stranger that he isn’t interested in helping to defeat Sauron. As Gandalf puts it during the Council of Elrond, “[Bombadil] might do so, if all the free folk of the world begged him, but he would not understand the need. And if he were given the Ring, he would soon forget it, or most likely throw it away. Such things have no hold on his mind. He would be a most unsafe guardian, and that alone is answer enough.’” Yeah, you don’t want to be giving Tom Bombadil a ring of power because he might toss it in the junk drawer. But who knows, maybe we’ll get a look at the Withywindle. Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power season two premieres on Prime Video on August 29.
