The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 came to a thrilling conclusion. The Prime Video series is building up to the War of the Last Alliance and the second (but not final) defeat of the dark lord Sauron. As darkness descends upon Middle-earth, the Free People are ready to fight for their homeland.

Season 2 of The Rings of Power includes plenty of epic fight sequences that almost live up to the best parts of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. Some of these fights stand above the rest in the season as the very best that The Rings of Power has to offer.

8The Stranger’s Confrontation With The Dark Wizard Is Disappointing

The Two Wizards Barely Get Any Action in The Rings of Power Season 2

Much of The Rings of Power Season 2 builds up to the Stranger’s confrontation with the mysterious Dark Wizard, played by Ciaran Hinds. According to Tom Bombadil, the Dark Wizard is another Istar, leading fans to believe that he is a future member of the Wizard Order from The Lord of the Rings. This made his inevitable battle with the Stranger all the more interesting, as it remained unclear how the two would come to see eye-to-eye when their worldview differed so greatly.

The Wizards’ confrontation occurs in Episode 208 of The Rings of Power

The Dark Wizard and the Stranger (who is later revealed to be Gandalf) at last come face-to-face in a Stoor village, where the villainous Istar tries to ally with his former companion. There are a few great moments, including when the Dark Wizard threatens to wipe out the Stoors if he doesn’t get what he wants, but the confrontation is mostly a disappointment. No real fighting takes place between the two wizards, and fans are left hoping for a meatier fight scene in Season 3.

7The Faithful’s Scuffle With Kemen Is Bloody and Meaningful

Despite Its Thematic Importance, This Fight Is Less Important to the Season

Númenor takes a turn for the worse in The Rings of Power Season 2 as the dastardly Ar-Pharazôn takes over the kingdom and begins pushing out those who are still faithful to its ancient ways. In one episode, the pompous prince Kemen infiltrates a Faithful memorial service, sparking a scuffle that leads to a one-on-one fight with Valandil. Although Valandil wins the fight, Kemen stabs him in the back the moment he turns around, killing him.

This fight takes place in Episode 205 of The Rings of Power.

Although this fight is small compared to other battles in The Lord of the Rings, it is one of the most harrowing moments of the season. Stakes are high as two men fight for their respective ideals for Númenor, only for evil to win in the end. Valandil marks the first of several important characters to die in Season 2, showing that The Rings of Power isn’t messing around when it comes to adapting the bloody Second Age of Middle-earth.

6Isildur’s Confrontation With Shelob Is Intriguing But Unmemorable

Shelob Makes Her First Appearance Since Peter Jackson’s Return of the King

During the events of The Rings of Power Season 1, Isildur is stranded in Middle-earth after the devastating eruption of Mount Doom. Now forced to survive the ashy wasteland of the newly rebranded Mordor, Isildur is attacked by a very familiar spider: Shelob, the same creature that Samwise Gamgee later slays during the events of The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.

Shelob appears in Episode 203 of The Rings of Power.

Isildur’s harrowing confrontation with Shelob is only a portent of the danger that the spider will one day pose to Middle-earth. Still in her infancy at this point in the timeline, Shelob is nowhere near as powerful as she will be by the end of the Third Age. Nevertheless, it is interesting that The Rings of Power chose to include her so early in its run, perhaps setting up future confrontations between Shelob and the show’s heroes in later seasons.

5The Elves Fight the Barrow-wights in The Rings of Power

The Rings of Power Brings Barrow-wights to Live-Action for the First Time

The second season of The Rings of Power finally introduces The Lord of Rings‘ barrow-wights in live-action. On their way to Eregion to warn Celebrimbor of Sauron’s deceit, Galadriel, Elrond, and their Elf companions are confronted by a legion of barrow-wights in the forest. After killing one of their enemies, the barrow-wights are eventually dispelled thanks to Galadriel and Elrond.

The fight with the barrow-wights occurs in Episode 204 of The Rings of Power.

The barrow-wights in The Rings of Power are worth the wait, casting a terrifying shadow over Middle-earth. Their undead strength makes them a horrifying enemy that nearly snuffs out Galadriel and Elrond’s light long before its time. Nevertheless, the barrow-wights’ strength makes their Elven enemies look all the more skilled in comparison, as they slay their mighty enemies.

4Durin’s Battle With the Balrog is Brief But Epic

Durin III Bravely Dies Battling a Balrog

In the epic season finale of The Rings of Power, King Durin III takes it upon himself to dig deeper into the mines beneath Khazad-dûm, despite his son’s warnings against it. Durin eventually finds what he is looking for, but awakens a horrific beast in the process. The ancient evil balrog later known as Durin’s Bane arises from the pit, lunging at the Dwarves as they watch in horror. Durin leaps into the air to meet the beast in battle, perishing in a flash of otherworldly light.

Durin’s fight with the Balrog takes place in Episode 208 of The Rings of Power.

This is a tragic and epic way for The Rings of Power to kick off the last episode of their second season, bringing Durin III’s story to a satisfying and heartbreaking conclusion as his son watches him die in a heated battle. If this sequence is any indication of how The Rings of Power will use the Balrog in the future, fans are in for a treat in future seasons.

3Galadriel and Sauron Clash a Second Time in the Season Finale

Galadriel and Sauron’s Reunion is Emotional and Climactic

Galadriel comes face-to-face with Sauron’s new form, Annatar, in the season finale of The Rings of Power. Having failed to protect Eregion and Celebrimbor, Galadriel tries her best to stop Sauron once and for all while also hiding the Nine Rings for Men from him. In the end, Galadriel barely escapes with her life but loses the Rings in the process.

Galadriel and Sauron’s fight takes place in Episode 208 of The Rings of Power.

Galadriel’s battle with Sauron is one of the most emotional action sequences of the season, drawing on their friendship from Season 1. Galadriel is torn between her love for Halbrand and her hatred for Sauron, who capitalizes on her inner conflict to take advantage of her. Sauron transforms into several other characters during this scene, all to distract Galadriel from the fight. This duel shows both characters at their best, setting up an even fiercer rivalry between them in Season 3.

2The Elves Take Down A Troll During the Siege of Eregion

The Epic Sequence Is a Standout Moment in the Two-Episode Battle

The Rings of Power makes good use of the trolls in the last few episodes of Season 2. The mighty troll Damrod joins Adar’s forces during the Siege of Eregion, waiting in the forest for the perfect time to strike. At Adar’s command, Damrod bursts onto the scene, taking out Elves and Orcs alike in a fiery conflagration that turns the tide of the battle. A group of Elves eventually manage to fall Damrod, but not before he causes irreparable damage to their battle lines.

The confrontation with Damrod takes place in Episode 207 of The Rings of Power.

The battle with Damrod is some of The Rings of Power‘s finest work as far as action sequences go. The fight perfectly utilizes Damrod’s enormous stature, making the Elves seem far too small to ever hope to stop him. It is only through ingenuity and skills that Damrod’s enemies finally defeat him, delivering a harrowing battle scene that Lord of the Rings fans won’t soon forget.

1The Siege of Eregion Is The Rings of Power’s Best Sequence Yet

The Two-Episode Battle Proves That The Rings of Power Can Be Great

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 delivers on its promise to craft intense battles on the same level as those in Peter Jackson’s films. The Siege of Eregion is an epic two-episode confrontation between Adar’s forces and the Elves defending the titular city, unaware that they are commanded by Sauron. The battle reaches its full scale when Gil-galad and Elrond arrive with reinforcements, turning the siege into a full-scale war.

The Siege of Eregion takes place in episodes 207 and 208 of The Rings of Power.

Most fans agree that the Siege of Eregion is the greatest event in the series so far, delivering everything that it promises, from major twists to tragic deaths. If there is anything that could convince wary Lord of the Rings fans to give The Rings of Power another chance, it is the epic siege that brings Eregion to its knees.