Season 3 of Rings of Power on Amazon Prime could introduce a very important character from Tolkien’s books.
Season 2 of Rings of Power was a roller coaster ride. Showrunners Patrick McKay and JD Payne filled their series with a dose of fan-service that was almost unbearable, increased the pressure on the identity of the Dark Wizard, and had fun building a climax around a duel. between Galadriel and Sauron, all so that the hopes of a grandiose final episode disappear like a breeze.
Now that the grand finale of season 2 of Rings of Power has been broadcast, leaving the audience with a feeling of unfinished business, it is time to look forward to the future. It’s almost certain that the Piévelus will have a bigger story arc, and it’s possible that a legendary weapon could change everything in the story. And if there is a segment of the story that should weigh in the balance of a third season, it is that dedicated to Numenor, and to the family affairs of Isildur and Elendil.
Family History and Rings of Power
If the Amazon Prime Video series took many liberties regarding Tolkien’s mythology, it turns out that the showrunners remained quite wise regarding the history of Númenor. When we put aside the addition of the character of Earien, Isildur’s sister created from scratch, Elendil, Isildur, Pharazôn and Míriel are all taken directly from Akallabêtha section of Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien which tells of the fall of Númenor. Except that one of the most important characters of theAkallabêth has remained absent from the series until now : Anarion, Isildur’s brother.
In The SilmarillionIsildur and Anárion appear almost inseparable. The arrival of Anárion in the series would therefore only be a matter of time. Especially since Elendil has already prepared for his arrival by mentioning his name at the end of season 2. After fleeing the persecution of Pharazôn, Elendil speaks of his other son, who left for the West, which suggests an upcoming meeting between Elendil and Anárion in season 3.
Anárion’s name had already been mentioned in episode 3 of season 1. During a tense family dinner, Isildur had expressed his desire to go west to join Anárion. According to Tolkien’s writings, this cardinal point corresponds to Andúnië, the refuge of the Faithful on Númenor. The Faithful referring to the Númenóreans who retained faith in the Valars and the Elves.
After Isildur’s statement, Elendil loses his temper and declares that the past is now a thing to be forgotten and that there was nothing in the West for him and his family. Elendil’s departure for the West at the end of season 2 therefore echoes this scene from season 1: Elendil must now face this enigmatic past, this lost son, and embrace the path of the Faithful to try to rebuild his family and find Anárion.
Isildur to cook
Anárion’s disappearance raises several questions. Where exactly is he and what events led him to leave his family? What did he look for west of Numenor? What role does he play in the Westlands?
His appearance in season 3 of Rings of Power could launch a complex family intrigue, dividing Elendil’s family into two camps: the camp of the Faithful to the Valars and the Elves, guided by Anárion, and the camp of the Loyal to Pharazôn, guided by Earien, Elendil and Isildur being torn between these two extremes.
We should still note that in Tolkien’s canon, Anárion is supposed to be ten years younger than Isildur, an age gap which will surely be erased by the series.
Anárion is a character at least as important as Isildur in Tolkien’s mythos. Both would be called to become Kings of Gondor, and Anárion was one of those who fought Sauron directly. If Anárion’s line eventually died out, that of Isildur will continue to Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings. Fun-factin Tolkien’s books, the Statues of Argonath, which mark the entry into the territory of Gondor, represent Isildur and Anárion. But in Peter Jackson’s films, Anárion was replaced by Elendil, his father.
Season 2 of Rings of Power is available in full on Amazon Prime Video. Season 3 of the series is currently in production, but it does not have a release date.
