Nov 11, 2026 1:30pm IST
‘The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings of Power’ Season 3, Episodes 1-4 Review: Sauron’s Rise Makes For A Darker, More Dangerous Middle-earth
As “Rings Of Power” Season 3 begins, five years have passed since the fall of Eregion but Middle-earth is still seeking peace. Sauron is back, his armies are growing and he is closer than ever to getting his hands on the power he has always wanted. The first four episodes of the new season of “Rings…” make one thing clear: the fight against the Dark Lord is only getting bigger, and the people who need to stop him have quite a few problems of their own.
What makes this opening stretch interesting is that Sauron isn't the only one making moves. The Elves are struggling to hold their ground, the Dwarves are dealing with a crisis within their kingdom and Númenor is coming apart at the seams. Everyone has a plan, everyone wants something and not everyone seems to realise that there is a much bigger threat on the horizon. It makes for an intriguing start, even if the season takes a little time to get all its pieces moving.
Episode 1: Five years later, and Sauron is only getting started
The five-year jump is a good way to bring viewers back into the story without spending too much time getting everyone up to speed. There is a sense that the world has moved on, but the troubles haven't gone anywhere. Sauron, in particular, seems more assured than ever. Charlie Vickers has a real hold on the character by now. He makes Sauron look calm and calculating, which is often far more unsettling than watching him lose his temper.
The episode also gives us a lovely glimpse of Galadriel and Celeborn's past. Seeing the two together before everything went wrong adds an emotional layer to Galadriel's present-day struggles. Morfydd Clark continues to bring a certain restlessness to the character, especially when memories of Sauron's betrayal come back to haunt her. There is also a new family dynamic to explore in Khazad-dûm, with Durin's older brother Thráin entering the picture. It is a solid opening that sets up the season's conflicts without giving away too much too soon.
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Episode 2: Nobody seems to be on the same page
While Sauron has his sights set on the Rings, Númenor is busy dealing with its own political mess. Pharazôn's confidence that he can bring the Dark Lord to his knees is interesting, considering the trouble brewing right under his nose. The growing tension between him and the Faithful gives the Númenor storyline a welcome edge, with Eärien's predicament providing one of the episode's more dramatic moments.
The search for the last surviving Elven smith also gives Galadriel, Elrond and Arondir a clear mission, while Sauron's growing influence over Thráin makes the situation in Khazad-dûm all the more complicated. What stands out here is how easily Sauron seems to find a way into people's ambitions. He doesn't always need to fight his enemies when he can get them to work against one another.
Episode 3: Gandalf's story gets more interesting
The third episode shifts attention to Rhûn. This is where Daniel Weyman's Gandalf gets an interesting opportunity to shine. His conversations with the Dark Wizard reveal that his mission in Middle-earth may be more complicated than simply taking down Sauron. The possibility that he was sent to save the Dark Wizard makes their relationship worth watching. Gandalf's instinct is to believe that someone can still be brought back from the darkness, even when the person in question isn't making it easy for him.
The episode is more of a set-up than a major spectacle, but it adds an interesting dimension to the larger story. There is also something refreshing about seeing Gandalf rely on persuasion and compassion rather than magic alone. With Sauron summoning people in Rhûn and his influence spreading, the sense of danger is steadily growing.
Episode 4: Things get exciting
The fourth episode is easily the standout of this batch. There is a lot going on, but unlike the earlier episodes, the different storylines begin to deliver the kind of drama and tension that make the show so much fun to watch. Galadriel, Elrond and Arondir's journey to Gundabad takes a dangerous turn, and the discovery of Celeborn gives Galadriel a reunion that feels genuinely earned. Of course, there is little time to celebrate when Sauron is close behind.
The real treat, though, is the drama unfolding in Khazad-dûm. Durin's refusal to hand over the Rings and his increasingly bitter clash with Thráin make for a compelling family conflict. Owain Arthur does a lovely job of showing Durin's stubbornness without losing sight of the grief and responsibility driving him. And whenever Sophia Nomvete's Disa is around, the story gets a welcome dose of warmth. Their relationship continues to be one of the show's most enjoyable elements, even as their kingdom threatens to fall apart.
The episode also gives us a taste of the political confrontation brewing between Gil-galad and Pharazôn, while Theo's position alongside Sauron is becoming increasingly troubling. There is a sense of several storylines finally moving towards a collision, and the cliffhanger involving Galadriel and Celeborn makes for a particularly exciting finish.
Verdict:
Across these four episodes, the performances and the world-building continue to be a big part of the show's appeal. Vickers is particularly effective as Sauron, making his growing confidence feel earned rather than simply announced. Clark gives Galadriel's internal conflict enough weight, while Arthur and Nomvete remain a winning combination. The costumes, production design and visual effects also do a lot of heavy lifting, making the different corners of Middle-earth feel lived-in and distinct.
The opening four episodes may take their time finding their rhythm, but by the time Episode 4 rolls around, the wait begins to pay off. Sauron is closer to forging the One Ring, the Dwarves are divided, Númenor is on the brink of a larger conflict and the Elves have a fight on their hands. More importantly, the people who could stand together against Sauron are still busy fighting their own battles. Something much bigger is clearly brewing, and with the Dark Lord getting closer to the power he craves, these four episodes feel like the beginning of a storm rather than the calm before one.
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