As a dedicated fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works for over three decades, I must say that this episode was nothing short of exhilarating! The siege of Eregion reminded me of the epic battles depicted in Peter Jackson’s films, which I have watched countless times. Yet, it stood on its own merits as a well-crafted and engaging piece.
What might elves consume in the morning, making one ponder? It’s intriguing to see Celebrimbor taking a delightful sip on a bright, serene day in Eregion. Could it be coffee? Or perhaps an elvish brew that surpasses any drink crafted by humans? Whatever it is, it seems to grant him the master smith the vitality and motivation required to delve into the work of forging the nine rings of power, which Sauron covets so intensely. Does it matter that he inhabits a world under Sauron’s influence?
It becomes evident that things indeed are functioning as expected when Celebrimbor catches a brief look at his disheveled image, he’s taken aback. However, for the moment, he is content to dismiss any flaws in the system – like a missing gem or unsettling reflection – if it results in less disturbance and allows him more time to focus on his work. However, given Celebrimbor’s intelligence, the illusion will need to be very convincing. As the inconsistencies accumulate, the turmoil and devastation outside grow increasingly intense. (Paraphrased from your text)
Adar is laying siege to Eregion, but it’s not the elves he’s primarily after; his real aim is Sauron, who’s deceiving Celebrimbor in his workshop and tricking the rest of Eregion with falsehoods to carry out his commands. Celebrimbor, however, secretly plans to retaliate. This plan is put on hold when Adar strikes a mountain, creating a dam that blocks the river. Instead of attacking the orcs, the orcs will now come to Eregion. Meanwhile, from a nearby position, Arondir watches with worry as these storylines appear to be headed towards a collision.
Information spreads quickly across Middle-earth, and in Khazad-dûm, Durin III learns about the turmoil in Eregion. Despite this news, he maintains his attention on matters close to home, such as the work stoppage instigated by Durin IV and Disa seizing the mine. Just as the old workers’ chant suggests, unity is strength, and soon Durin IV and Disa find themselves rallying other dwarves who share their cause for control of production. Unlike his father, Durin IV now takes notice of the troubles in Eregion, though it brings him a somber reunion with an old acquaintance: Elrond. This meeting is brief and lacks joy, as Elrond arrives to beg for aid for Eregion. Its fate may hinge on whether or not the dwarves choose to lend their assistance.
To emphasize his argument, the scene shifts to hordes of orcs marching towards Eregion. The elven archers manage to eliminate some, but the orcs possess overwhelming numbers, along with an intimidating siege weapon. Meanwhile, within Celebrimbor realizes he’s been ensnared in a deceptively tranquil trap due to a mouse following a repetitive path and candles that mysteriously refuse to extinguish.
Free from illusion at last, Celebrimbor gazes upon the battlefield and appears to comprehend the true extent of his woes: his city is on the brink of collapse, his workshop lies in ruins, his trusted elf may not be who he claims, and it seems he’s been tricked into attempting to forge rings of power that will serve evil purposes. “Are you indeed the one?” Celebrimbor queries Sauron as he steps outside for the first time in weeks. In search of Mirdania, Celebrimbor attempts to share his revelations with her. However, Mirdania is left uncertain when Sauron makes an appearance. The fact that Celebrimbor hasn’t been making sense recently doesn’t aid his credibility, and the instant when he seemingly pushes Mirdania off the wall, allowing her to be slain by the orcs below, doesn’t help either. (It is unseen if Sauron wills the fall to occur himself.)
Sauron proposes a deal: if Celebrimbor completes the final work on the nine rings, Sauron will allow Eregion to remain and utilize it for establishing an everlasting peace. However, one must ponder his honesty, given his past deceit. But could this all be immaterial? The situation seems to alter when Elrond arrives with a troop of armored elves on horseback, seemingly tipping the scales against Adar’s forces – until Adar discloses he holds Galadriel at knife-point. Instead of engaging in battle, they convene for a discussion.
Perhaps Adar proposes that they combine forces to defeat Sauron, similar to an earlier proposition he made to Galadriel but now using her as a bargaining chip. While Adar’s idea might hold some merit, it seems his followers may not all be on board. With doubts about Adar’s leadership growing, Elrond declines the offer, even if it means witnessing Galadriel’s demise. Elrond makes his decision clear to Adar and is met with support from Galadriel. This season appears to be more romantic than the last, as they share a kiss following the exchange.
Despite any concerns he may have for Galadriel, Elrond seems certain that the orcs’ fate will be grim. This conviction stems from his knowledge that the dwarves are on their way to aid them, and it appears they indeed shall. Meanwhile, back in Khazad-dûm, Durin IV is rallying his people with a passionate speech as Elrond battles his way into Eregion. Although he fights valiantly, it’s a challenging skirmish that costs him his beloved horse.
The situation seems dire for both Eregion and Adar. Despite his claims of affection, his followers are growing skeptical because they’re finding it hard to break through the defenses. One follower questions him, saying “You told us you cared for us,” to which he responds that he does care too much to see them enslaved by Sauron. However, this explanation doesn’t seem very convincing, and things take a turn for the worse when Galadriel manages to escape thanks to a concealed pin that she used to unlock hidden passages. She disguises herself as an orc using a heavy cloak, but the disguise won’t last forever. Fortunately, Arondir, who happens to be nearby, rescues her from her disguise (as we discussed before, storylines tend to intersect).
It appears that the dwarven army may not make it to Eregion as planned. Durin III has fallen into madness and is preparing to unleash the Balrog, which could lead to a catastrophe in Khazad-dûm. If there’s any hope for Khazad-dûm’s survival, Durin IV might have to stay behind and bring his forces back to help instead.
In a bind, Celebrimbor persists in crafting the nine rings while Sauron rambles about his tormented history and vision to restore Middle-earth to its former glory, implying that if Celebrimbor had been more compliant, things could have been less agonizing. However, the relentless conversation proves too much for Celebrimbor, who decides to take action to prevent Sauron from obtaining the rings (and stopping others from possessing them as well). Determined, Celebrimbor even amputates his own thumb to escape his bonds. Just when it seems he’ll be recaptured and returned to the tower, help arrives in the form of Galadriel. After hearing a brief motivational talk, she consents to take the nine rings with her.
As she makes up her mind, the fight continues deep into the night until Adar utters three crucial phrases: “Let him join.” The “him” is the brutal troll from a couple of episodes prior, a relentless destroyer that flattens whatever stands in its path, be it orc or elf. This action offers immediate benefits but may lead to significant future consequences, hinting once more at Adar’s preference for victory over the safety of his followers. In the long run, the advantages are limited. The troll is unable to break through the walls, largely due to Elrond and Arondir’s intervention.
As events unfold, Celebrimbor engages Sauron in a confrontation. Initially, it appears that Celebrimbor has the advantage, but soon Sauron manipulates the guards of Eregion to turn against each other. The situation inside and outside Eregion’s city walls becomes dire. By dawn, both sides have sustained heavy casualties, and although Eregion remains standing, its stability is questionable. The dwarves that Elrond promised to arrive never show up; instead, they barricade themselves within Khazad-dûm. “Durin will come,” Celebrimbor asserts, but the likelihood of this seems slim as the battle continues, and Adar gains an advantage. Not only does he injure Arondir (who deeply dislikes him), but his troops manage to breach Eregion’s fortifications where a troll had failed before.
Initially, this episode started off tranquilly, yet it turned out to be the finest of the season thus far. The Rings of Power has often been compared to Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films, and in this episode, we reached a series milestone reminiscent of the Battle of Helm’s Deep. While it didn’t surpass Jackson’s film battle sequence, which is one of the best ever filmed, the siege of Eregion is a remarkable production on its own merit. It effectively portrayed a sense of vastness before chaos ensued within that space. Moreover, the episode was well-balanced in terms of pacing, seamlessly transitioning between locations while also using one scene to comment on the next. Unlike some episodes of Rings of Power that feel disjointed (a bit of Numenor here, a bit of Eregion there), every piece here flowed coherently together.
Mithril Links
It’s delightful to see you again, my old friend.” The Elrond/Durin IV duo has been responsible for some of the most memorable scenes in the first season. While Elrond can sometimes seem dull and Durin IV overbearing individually, they complement each other well. However, it’s taken seven episodes to bring them together again, and even then, just for a single scene. Will next week’s episode offer more time for these characters?
In my perspective as a movie enthusiast, I must express my sorrow over the fate of Mirdania. Her journey seemed destined for service under Sauron at one point, but surprisingly, he cast her to the orcs instead. Had she survived, she could have become an exceptional smith. Sadly, her days were spent as a tragic pawn in someone else’s game.
In this show’s storyline, the kiss between Elrond and Galadriel isn’t spontaneous; throughout the season, signs have pointed towards growing feelings between them. However, due to their relationship not being part of J.R.R. Tolkien’s original work, it initially seemed improbable. Interestingly, Elrond marries Galadriel’s daughter in the canon. This series often incorporates unexpected developments within established lore, and this seems like another instance of that approach. So, fans who stick closely to the original works should be prepared for these changes.
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2024-09-26 16:54