Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Rings of Power season 2, episodes 1-3.
The Rings of Powerseason 2 reveals what becomes of Isildur after the destruction of the Southlands, andhis story features an eerie reminder ofThe Lord of the Rings:The Two Towers.Despite only appearing at the beginning ofThe Fellowship of the Ring,Isildur is a massively important character in theoverall history of Middle-earth. He’s responsible for Sauron’s defeatduring the Second Age, but his refusal to destroy the One Ring leads to Sauron’s rise to power during the Third Age.
The Rings of Powershows Isildur’s origin story, which will likely lead into the founding of Gondor and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.The Rings of Powerseason 1’s endingleaves Isildur in the wreckage of Adar’s attack on the Southlands, with his family returning home under the impression that he’s dead. However, Isildur survives the assault and makes his way to Pelargir, where Arondir and Theo are staying. But when he wakes up, he’s closer to thelocation that becomes Mordor. AndIsildur’s season 2 story already features connections toThe Lord of the Rings.
The Rings Of Power’s Isildur Story Is A Callback To The Two Towers
The Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 3 reveals thatIsildur is captured by Shelobafter the fall of the Southlands, and viewers even get a glimpse of the spider fromThe Return of the King.This isn’t the only allusion toThe Lord of the Ringsin Isildur’s season 2 storyso far. After escaping Shelob’s lair with Berek, Isildur discovers a body of water and decides to have a drink. As he’s about to, he notices dead soldiers floating in the water — an image that’s reminiscent of the Dead Marshes Frodo, Sam, and Gollum encounter inThe Two Towers.
Given where Isildur is, it’s likely these are the very same marshes that will be filled with corpses during the Battle of Dagorlad.
The water Isildur sees isn’t yet called the Dead Marshes — which doesn’t get its name or haunting reputation until later in the Second Age — but his encounter does seem to be a callback toThe Two Towers.The Rings of Powerweaves numerous Easter eggs and references to Tolkien’s lore into its storytelling, so it’s not surprising it includes this detail. And given where Isildur is, it’s likely these are the very same marshes that will be filled with corpses during the Battle of Dagorlad.
Yes, But They Aren’t Called That Until Later In The Second Age
The Rings of Powerseason 2 is likely foreshadowing the Dead Marshes in episode 3, as Isildur isn’t far from where they’re located. The Dead Marshes is given its name after the Battle of Dagorlad, which will bring Isildur back to this area of Middle-earth. Although Isildur survives this confrontation, the Elves, men, and Orcs who fall are eventually consumed by the marshes. These are the ghostly faces Frodo sees inThe Two Towers,soThe Rings of Powerseason 2 is setting up multiple returns to this location through Isildur.
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.
