The Rings of Power Season 3: The Time Jump and the Númenórean Storyline

Elendil reunites with his son Anarion where known Faithful are now welcome after leaving the capital city of Númenor engulfed in flames from the wrath of Ar-Pharazôn. The Western Shores of Númenor is the last resort for the future of Númenor and those who are still wholly true to the Valar.

In recent news, showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay confirmed that there will be a major time jump between Seasons 2 and 3 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. While some form of time compression was expected over the course of the show, the confirmation that it will happen at this point in the narrative raises some compelling questions and challenges—especially concerning the story-line of Númenor.

This article explores the possible impacts of the time jump on Númenor and its characters, as part of a broader series analysing how these changes will unfold.

Ar-Pharazôn & Miriel

Season 2 concluded with Ar-Pharazôn’s rise to power as the new ruler of Númenor, having usurped the throne from Queen Regent Míriel. Despite her defeat, Míriel managed to instill a sense of hope in Elendil, who departed toward the Western shores.

With a significant time jump between seasons, viewers may return to a Númenor fully under Ar-Pharazôn’s oppressive rule. The Faithful, who were already being persecuted by the end of Season 2 (as shown in Episode 8), could now be entirely scattered or silenced within Armenelos. We might see a striking contrast between the season finale and the premiere of Season 3, with the King’s Men patrolling the streets, open hostility toward the Valar, and the destruction of Elven-style architecture and monuments—design elements that, as production designer Ramsey Avery explained in Season 1, were intentionally crafted to reflect Númenor’s ties to the Eldar.

Ar-Pharazôn will likely have consolidated his power, surrounded by loyal advisors and controlling the political machinery of the capital. In contrast, Míriel may have been left imprisoned and forgotten, potentially for many years. If isolated for that long—still without contact from Elendil—her character could descend into a tragic arc, possibly even madness.

Elendil & Western Shores

Season 2 ends with Elendil riding westward, leaving behind a burning Númenor—a symbolic mark of the nation’s fall under Ar-Pharazôn. His continued existence signals that hope for Númenor endures.

Season 3 could reunite Elendil with his son Anárion, who has been absent since Season 1. Depending on how the time jump is handled, this reunion could appear as a flashback or take place early in the season. Fans would likely welcome a touching reunion, especially if it builds upon Anárion’s pro-Valar and Faithful beliefs—beliefs that, as we learned in Season 1, led him to settle on the Western shores in the first place.

Anárion’s conviction could serve as the emotional spark that reignites Elendil’s purpose, giving him a renewed sense of direction in the fight for Númenor’s soul—despite the darkness that now surrounds it.

Isildur

After being “rescued” by Kemen and the Númenóreans, Isildur is brought back to a homeland dramatically changed since the events of Season 1. With his father exiled, his likely first point of contact will be his sister Eärien, who still believes him to be dead. That emotional reunion could be a powerful moment.

Spoiler warning ahead for the next part

As for Isildur’s next steps, much will depend on how much time has passed and how compressed the events leading to Númenor’s downfall are. One key moment from Tolkien’s lore that must still be adapted is Isildur’s daring act of stealing a fruit from Nimloth, the White Tree, just before it is cut down under Ar-Pharazôn’s orders and Sauron’s influence. Severely wounded by the guards during his escape, Isildur is miraculously healed when the sapling grown from the fruit produces its first leaf—preserving the White Tree’s lineage and its symbolic meaning.

To earn this moment’s emotional weight, Isildur will need to undergo significant character development—from the reckless, immature figure we saw in earlier seasons into a brave and selfless hero. This act will not only be pivotal for The Rings of Power but will also resonate deeply within Tolkien’s legendarium, reinforcing the theme that even in the darkest times, the light endures.

The next part contains major book spoilers.

The Big Question: When Will Númenor Fall?

The central question hanging over the Númenórean storyline—and how the time jump shapes it—is the timing of Númenor’s downfall. While we know the War of the Elves and Sauron must still unfold at the beginning of Season 3, the next major milestone in the Second Age is the fall of Númenor and Sauron’s eventual presence on the island.

One possible structure for Season 3 could involve the forging of the One Ring and Sauron’s initial defeat during the War of the Elves, particularly at the Battle of the Gwathló. Midway through the season, he could be captured and brought to Númenor, beginning his slow corruption of Ar-Pharazôn.

This would set up two possible scenarios:

Season 3 Finale – The fall of Númenor happens in Episode 8 of Season 3, after several episodes of Sauron’s manipulation.

Season 4 Setup – The corruption continues into the first half of Season 4, leading to Númenor’s destruction mid-season.

That is our full breakdown of how the “major time jump” will impact the Númenor storyline. Let us know in the comments below what you think.