Warning: This story contains spoilers for the season 1 finale of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

The Dark Lord is returning to his dark throne.

All season long, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has teased the return of evil to Middle-earth. Ever since Amazon first announced that the show would take place during J.R.R. Tolkien's Second Age, fans have waited for the appearance of Sauron, the iconic villain who forged the One Ring and ruled Mordor with an iron-gloved fist.