Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
Sauron returns to Eregion and persuades Celebrimbor to welcome him despite Galadriel's warning. He presents himself as Annatar, a messenger sent to help Middle-earth, and draws the smith into making more rings. Elrond fears the influence behind the Three, but Círdan brings them back instead of destroying them. Círdan, Gil-galad and Galadriel wear the rings, restoring the fading tree in Lindon while Galadriel sees warnings of Celebrimbor's death.
Adar attacks Eregion while Sauron keeps Celebrimbor inside an illusion of peace. The smith discovers that the material used for the Nine Rings is Sauron's blood, and finally helps Galadriel escape with them. Elrond's relief force faces the Orc army without the promised Dwarves, because Prince Durin must stop his father digging toward the danger beneath Khazad-dûm. The king removes his ring only when the Balrog appears and dies confronting it.
Sauron kills Celebrimbor and gains the Orcs' loyalty, turning them against Adar. He takes the Nine from Galadriel during their fight, but she jumps from a cliff rather than surrender Nenya. Elrond and Gil-galad heal her with the Elven Rings. Pharazôn's rule tightens in Númenor as Míriel stays behind and Elendil escapes with Narsil. In Rhûn, the Stranger rejects the Dark Wizard's offer of power and protects the halflings. After parting from Nori, he finds his staff and recognizes his name as Gandalf.