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J. D. Payne:Thank you, thank you!

Patrick McKay:Thank you very much.

The Rings of Power season 2 finale trailer

McKay:That’s a big question.

Payne:I mean, I think we’re thrilled.

That’s just the core of it.

Elrond in The Rings of Power season 2 episode 7

That was something we were just really excited to bring to the world.

And the fact that a lot of viewers seem to feel that way too, is really gratifying.

It feels like the show is onward and upward.

The Stranger in The Rings of Power

When you look back at it, what are you most proud of with what you’ve achieved?

The show really broadened in a lot of ways.

That’s just two great actors in a room.

Annatar and Celebrimbor in The Rings of Power season 2

I guess this is kind of like making you choose your favorite children.

But what is your favorite episode of season 2?

McKay:That’s a good question.

Galadriel in The Rings of Power season 2

But I think between episode 7 and 8, we often go back and forth between those two.

That’s a very emotional scene for us.

McKay:I mean, look, they really are all of our children in a way.

The Lord of the Rings; The Rings of Power

So they are all precious to us.

Payne:I mean, it’s incredibly emotional.

It was just very oddly emotional, it’s like meeting a childhood hero in some ways.

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It took a while for us to get there.

We wanted to have it be a journey of discovery for us along with the character.

It was not a foregone conclusion that this is what would come out.

Annatar and Celebrimbor in Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7

When did you make that decision?

Was it before writing, or was it later on in the process?

We also had some brutal goodbyes.

Matt Mercer, Brennan Lee Mulligan, and art from the opening of Exandria Unlimited: Divergence

Did you always know that season 2 was the end of the road for him?

Payne:We didn’t, actually.

McKay:I don’t know that it ever made it into the draft.

Helly and Mark S in Severance season 2

And could that have happened in some alternate universe?

I know you’ve said that there’s almost no possibility that he is Saruman.

McKay:Well, I wonder if we can make news on this one.

Jamie Campbell Bower in Stranger Things

We can say definitively he is not Saruman.

Definitively, 100%, he is not.

Payne:I think we can say we do know who he is.

Jamie Campbell Bower in Stranger Things 4

McKay:But that’s all we can say.

I also wanted to delve into some specific moments from the finale that really stood out to me.

And do you have a particular favorite moment from it?

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

McKay:Yeah, we love that sequence.

Morfydd [Clark] and Charlie [Vickers] are friends and close collaborators.

We’ve been doing this for years with them.

Elrond in Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7

It’s so cool.

That’s one of my favorite moments.

McKay:Absolutely, and in the history of Middle-earth.

Annatar in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 episode 5

It’s been a journey for our audience, certainly, seeing what people thought about those characters.

This season Elrond had a really pivotal, big step in his arc.

He’s got the rings in his possession, he’s holding Feanor’s hammer.

Oblivion Remastered at night

How did you make the decision to leave him there on that shot?

McKay:Good question.

Season 1, you’re with Galadriel, you don’t know who this guy is.

Lego Mario Kart, Endgame Final Battle, Jango Fett�s Firespray-Class Ship, and Chopper divided by white lines, with a �GamesRadar+ new Lego� badge in the middle

You’re not sure you trust him, but you kind of like him.

But then, wait a minute, could he be Sauron?

But I don’t know.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle screenshot of Indiana dressed as priest, looking over a book

And then you feel the betrayal when the reveal is that he is Sauron.

And it’s the fun of watching how his plans unfurl.

He’s like, I’m going to fix the whole world.

Days Gone Remastered protagonist Deacon running from hundreds of zombies in the rain

That’s my plan.

So in some ways, the first two seasons have been the origin of Sauron, the Dark Lord.

As we’re talking about season 2, we’re reflecting on the year as well.

PS5 Pro reveal from trailer

Payne:Oh gosh, yeah, there’s some we’re enormous fans of.

McKay:I love Shogun.

I thought Shogun was spectacular.

The cast of Thunderbolts standing in an elevator during the trailer for the upcoming Marvel Phase 5 movie.

I really liked aspects of Disclaimer.

Man, I was in awe of large portions of that show.

For more, check out our guide toThe Rings of Power season 2 endingand thebest shows on Amazon Prime.

Articulate box, cards, board, and tokens on a wooden table

you could also read our list of thebest movies of 2024and thebest games of 2024too.

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