Mild spoilers are ahead for The Rings of Power season 2, episodes 1–3.
By introducing a brand-new character,The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseason 2 tells an Isildur story that J. R. R. Tolkien pretty much ignored in his books. Based on Tolkien’s history of Middle-earth, as it reads in theLord of the Rings' appendices,The Rings of Powerseason 2’s story depicts major events surrounding the creation of the titular ringsduring the Second Age. Set thousands of years before theLord of the Ringsmovies, Prime Video’s series centers onRings of Power’s ensemble cast of characters, including the Dark Lord Sauron (Charlie Vickers).
While Sauron gains power and schemes to forge the rings — including his all-powerful One Ring —The Rings of Poweralso navigates surrounding events, like the fall of the island kingdom of Númenor and the last alliance between Elves and Men. The show picks up whereThe Rings of Powerseason 1’s endingleft off, with Halbrand revealing himself to be Sauron to Galadriel (Morfydd Clark).The series also spotlightsIsildur (Maxim Baldry), who becomes the warrior and king responsible for cutting the One Ring from Sauron’s hand. However, there’s more to Isildur’s story than Tolkien described.
The Ring Of Power Sets Up Isildur’s Wife For Season 2 (After Tolkien Barely Mentioned Her)
The Lord Of The Rings Show Introduces Estrid In Season 2
InThe Rings of Powerseason 2’searliest episodes, viewers are introduced to the mysterious Estrid (Nia Towle), a human character living in the Southlands when Mount Doom erupts and turns the area into whatLord of the Ringsfans know as Mordor. After being taken captive by Adar (Joseph Mawle), Estrid is saved by Sauron, who’s posing as Halbrand. When Sauron convinces Adar to release the Southlanders from captivity,Estrid flees into the woods to find her kin, which is when she crosses paths with Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova) and Isildur, with whom she seemingly has a connection.
After they swap trauma stories by firelight, Isildur and Estrid are seemingly positioned to fall in love.
Estrid, who was coerced into pledging herself to Mordor, hides Adar’s brand. Later, she burns the mark away using a blade. Even so, Arondir is skeptical of Estrid, which is a sentiment Isildur doesn’t seem to share by the end of episode 3. After they swap trauma stories by firelight, Isildur and Estrid are seemingly positioned to fall in love. While Tolkien mentions Isildur’s four children by name — Elendur, Aratan, Ciryon, and Valandil —Isildur’s wife goes unnamed in Tolkien’s writing. That said, Estrid could be Isildur’s unnamed wife inThe Rings of Powerseason 2.
The Rings Of Power Makes It Very Hard To Support 4 Characters You’re Supposed To Like
The Rings of Power season 2 shows the aftermath of Sauron’s return, but it makes it difficult to root for several of the Amazon series’ characters.
The Rings Of Power Continues A Positive Trend For Female Characters In Middle-earth
Characters Like Galadriel & Gaia Wise Take On Éowyn’s Mantle
Regardless of whether Estrid is a chance forThe Lord of the Ringsfranchise to redeem Isildur’s unnamed wife, the mysterious-yet-capable character continues a great trend for the empowered women of Middle-earth. While Tolkien’s novels, and the film adaptations, boast women characters like the always-incredible Éowyn (Miranda Otto),newer installments in theLOTRfranchise are definitely bringing about some much-needed gender balance. While reception to the show’s Galadriel has been understandably mixed,The War of the Rohirrim’s Gaia andThe Rings of Power’s Estrid, are welcome additions to theLord of the Ringscanon.
New episodes ofThe Rings of Powerseason 2 premiere on Thursdays on Amazon Prime Video through August 06, 2025.
