Time Compression Breakdown: Season One & Looking Ahead to Season Two
This post contains spoilers for season one of The Rings of Power as well as potential spoilers for season two.
Because of the series’ implementation of ‘time compression’ and the writers’ choice to play loose with the linear narrative outlined by Tolkien, many Rings of Power viewers found it difficult to find their bearings during season one. Viewers especially familiar with the timeline of the Second Age may have noticed that certain canon events were either condensed or shifted around, something which wrought confusion and criticism despite being an ultimately understandable creative choice.
When this series showrunners chose to present the forging of the Rings of Power within the same narrative as the Fall of Númenor, this form of compression became necessary.
After the season one finale, leaks and rumors regarding season two began to take shape within the Tolkien fan community. Interviews with members of the cast have also discussed and alluded to some of the canon events which are expected to take place in season two, particularly the Siege of Eregion.
When I began to look closely at the dates Tolkien outline for major events of the Second Age in light of the choices made in season one and the information I’ve gathered concerning season two, I do think I’ve been able to develop a clearer picture of where this series is headed so I thought I’d share for anyone else who might find this breakdown helpful or interesting.
Book-Canon Events Presented in Season One:
SA 1200: Sauron endeavors to seduce or befriend the Eldar.
Approximately 1500 to 1590: The Birth of Durin III
SA 1590: The Three Rings are completed in Eregion
SA 2350: Pelargir is established. (In season one, it is referenced as an old Númenórean colony.)
SA 3175: Repentance of Tar-Palantir in Númenor.
SA 3209: Birth of Isildur, who appears to be in his late teens or early twenties in season one.
Essentially, season one of The Rings of Power has taken two primary Second Age plotlines (one for the Elves, Dwarves, and Sauron, and one for the Númenóreans) and presented them in continuity. The elves are experiencing the events of the mid 1000’s at the same time as the Númenóreans are experiencing the events of the early 3000’s, which becomes all the more complicated as their plotlines converge in season one.
Anticipated Book-Canon Events for Season Two:
Looking forward to Season Two which will likely premiere in autumn 2024, I anticipate these two major storylines to continue and hopefully feature some of the events outlined below.
Between SA 750 and 1500: The Doors of Durin are made by Celebrimbor and Narvi.
Between SA 1350 and 1400: Galadriel leaves Eregion and passes through Moria; Celeborn remains in Eregion.
SA 1600: The One Ring is forged; Barad-dûr completed; Sauron openly proclaims himself. Glorfindel comes to Middle-earth.
SA 1697: Sack of Eregion. Death of Celebrimbor. Rivendell founded. Dwarves assail Sauron from behind. Khazad-dûm closes.
SA 1701: Sauron driven from Eriador and flees to Mordor. First White Council held. Galadriel and Celeborn depart for Belfalas.
SA 3255: Ar-Pharazôn seizes the Sceptre. The faithful are oppressed; civil unrest in Númenor.
Again, one timeline occurs primarily for the Elves and Dwarves in the 1000’s, and then we have the Númenóreans living in the mid-3000’s — all at once.
It will be interesting to see the two different timelines continue to converge over the next few seasons, though eventually they should all catch up to one another by the time we arrive at the Last Alliance.
This article does not account for the other storylines presented in The Rings of Power, such as the Harfoots plot, and isn’t meant to be a comprehensive discussion. Rather, I believe it represents the framework within the storyline will (or should be) told. Whether or not the series will progress in this direction remains to be seen, but regardless I’m quite excited to see where The Rings of Power will take us!
What are your thoughts on ‘time compression’ as implemented by The Rings of Power? Are you looking forward to season two?
Sources for Timeline: The Fall of Númenor, The Lord of the Rings Appendices, and Tolkien Gateway’s Timeline of Arda.
