Winners
1. The Elves
Despite obvious strategic and moral disagreements between the elves, they managed to save the lifeforce of their race by forging the three rings of power. Galadriel’s return also means that the elves are now informed of the rise of Mordor in the Southlands.
2. The Stranger
The Stranger had much of his memory restored by the witches which in turn allowed him to fight them off. He managed to retain Nori as a travel companion as he begins his journey to Rhun, where he should learn to control his powers.
3. Sauron
Even though he couldn’t quite get his hands on one of the rings of power, Sauron now knows how to forge said rings. There will be plenty of pressure on Galadriel once everyone finds out that Halbrand was actually Sauron. That will come with the type of discord that Sauron thrives on.
Losers
1. The Witches
The witches tracked the Stranger around Middle Earth under the assumption that he was Sauron and that they would restore him to power so he could lead them. Well, they were wrong, and as a result, they were eviscerated out of existence. The image speaks for itself really…
2. Numenor
The crushing defeat in the Southlands, the blinding of Miriel, and the death of the King will only add to the existing tension in Numenor. Expect there to be some civil conflict in Numenor throughout season two.
3. The Harfoots
With the situation in Middle Earth growing increasingly dangerous, the last thing the harfoots needed was to lose their leader (Sadoc). Nori’s also gone from the pack, but one could argue that her leaving is actually a net positive for the harfoots.