Full spoilers for Episode 8 of The Rings of Power aka Alloyed follow.
The Rings of Power showrunners have revealed that Sauron's big reveal was almost ruined by a specific creative decision made during the development of Episode 2.
Speaking at a preview of The Rings of Power Episode 8, which was attended by TechRadar, co-creators JD Payne and Patrick McKay explained that the identity of The Lord of the Rings' eponymous antagonist was nearly blown in a much older episode. . The reason? A specific shot from the High Fantasy Prime Video series, filmed by Episode 2 director JA Bayona, nearly reveals the game.
Big spoilers ahead. Check back now if you haven't heard of the latest episode of The Rings of Power!
As viewers will have learned by now, Charlie Vickers' Halbrand was an alias for Sauron from the very beginning. The Dark Lord himself had been posing as the so-called King of the Southlands from the moment he met Galadriel, and the pair first crossed paths on a raft in Episode 2 of The Rings of Power.
However, as Payne and McKay reminded us, the first shot we see of Halbrand is Vickers, who has his back to the camera, turning his head to look at Galadriel as she asks to come aboard the timeship. According to the duo, Bayona filmed this brief scene so that only one of Halbrand's eyes was visible to viewers.
It's a shot that acts as a clear callback to the Eye of Sauron, which is the only part of the Dark Lord's essence left, in the Third Age of Middle-earth, after his defeat by the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. However, Payne and McKay were concerned that Bayona's creative choice would ruin the big surprise surrounding Halbrand's true identity. So much so, that Bayona was asked to shoot a different version of Halbrand's intro.
"We were scared that people would see it and work on it," Payne said. "We asked JA to change it, but he said, 'No one will notice!' Fortunately, they didn't."
(*two*)
We have been waiting for you, Lord Sauron. (Image credit: Prime Video)As Payne noted, very few, if any, viewers of Rings of Power noticed the obvious reference to Halbrand's true form. So while fans have long suspected that Halbrand really is Sauron, it made the eventual reveal of him all the more shocking in The Rings of Power season 1 finale.
The release of Episode 8 was also a huge relief for the cast of the hit Prime Video show. With season 1 shooting starting in February 2020, the big stars of the series had to keep this secret for more than two and a half years, as Morfydd Clark (Galadriel) and Tyroe Muhafidin (Theo) told us exclusively to beginning of October.
For Vickers, Clark, and Charles Edwards (Celebrimbor), this specific burden on Sauron has finally been lifted. And, speaking exclusively to TechRadar ahead of Episode 8's release, the trio were much more relaxed about the entire ordeal.
Check out our summaries of Rings of Power
"Alright!" Vickers told us calmly. "But it's a strange feeling. When you're doing press, you get so used to talking about it in a certain way. Obviously, you have to be careful what you say. Halbrand came through in something very real in my discussions, but it's good to talk. of everything that is behind now".
"I had my suspicions from the beginning!" Clark said. "And I know Charlie did, too, because he was asked to read something that basically sounded like demon speech. So he's like, 'Hmm, that sounds pretty devilish.' I think Charlie did a great job putting on a performance during The press, which I don't know how he did it, I'd be terrified if he had such a big secret.
"It's really weird," Edwards added. "You know, we had to carry that weight on our shoulders for so long. It's a blessing to finally have it in the world!"
For more exclusive Rings of Power content, stay with TheComparison as we bring you more information on the show's cast and crew in the season 1 finale, and trailers for season 2, in the coming months.
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