As a lifelong fan of Tolkien’s Middle-earth, I must say that this season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has left me with a mix of emotions. On one hand, the visuals and production design are absolutely breathtaking, transporting us to a world that feels both familiar and freshly imagined.
Previously, Middle-earth was in a state of disarray everywhere we looked. As the season finale unfolds, this unfortunate situation persists. Multiple threats loom, one being the Khazad-dûm predicament that left Durin IV unable to fulfill his promise of an army to Elrond. To make matters worse, Disa and Durin IV find themselves in a particularly dire strait as Durin III becomes the center of the crisis. Possessed by his ring of power, he continues to delve deeper into his underground kingdom in pursuit of riches, despite his son’s vow to take drastic action to prevent him from awakening the monstrous being within Khazad-dûm. However, Durin IV is unable to follow through on his threat to amputate his father’s hand. Instead, he attempts to reason with Durin III by sharing a tale from his past, but this tactic fails as well. (Though, if ever a situation called for such drastic action, it’s this one.)
Nevertheless, when Durin III manages to burst through to the other side, not even Durin IV can help but be amazed. However, this sentiment doesn’t linger for long. The ominous growling from below, where the Balrog lies in wait, swiftly steals everyone’s focus. As it emerges, Durin III recognizes his fate is sealed. In a desperate bid to protect his kingdom, he takes the necessary steps: discarding the ring and charging at the Balrog with his battleax, knowing that this confrontation would likely cost him his life.
Before the ending titles have even appeared, there’s already a flurry of activity! It seems fitting then that the story now transitions to show the enigmatic character, whom we’ll call The Stranger for now (his name will be revealed later), lost in thought as he approaches the village of the Stoors. Upon arrival, he finds it seemingly abandoned. Not long after, he encounters the Dark Wizard who not only claims familiarity with The Stranger but asserts that they were once part of a wizard gang together, along with three others. It was The Stranger’s idea to leave the safety of the Far West and confront Sauron in Middle-earth.
It seems plausible, but the stranger has been hearing whispers that the mysterious figure might be linked to Sauron. Additionally, where are his halfling companions? This question gets answered when Nori and Poppy appear, held captive by one of the masked riders. Despite the dark wizard dismissively ending the life of their captor without a trace of regret, the stranger remains doubtful. When more hobbits arrive, Gundabale provokes the dark wizard by calling him “Dark Wizard,” a title he dislikes intensely. The dark wizard, if he doesn’t prefer that name, should suggest one instead. Then, he proposes a partnership between them to overthrow Sauron. However, their possible alliance quickly turns into a brief confrontation which concludes when the dark wizard departs. In the ensuing chaos, he would have eliminated Nori, Poppy, and the hobbits had it not been for the stranger’s timely intervention.
In the tranquil land of Numenor, one might think peace will forever reign, but such calm is fated to be fleeting due to its very nature. Eärien disrupts this serenity by tolling a bell, summoning supporters of Miriel to a gathering with Pharazôn. This meeting is orchestrated under the pretense that Pharazôn has uncovered why Miriel could supposedly control the sea (meaning she would avoid being devoured by a monstrous sea creature). In reality, however, he falsely accuses her of colluding with Sauron. Although this isn’t true, Pharazôn, who adheres to the manipulative tactics of the Big Lie in political power, uses the fabricated story as justification for seizing those loyal to Miriel.
This gross power play finally (finally) proves to be a step too far for Eärien, who flees to warn her father, Isildur, and covers for him as he slips away. Isiuldur’s first instinct is to whisk Miriel away to safety, but Miriel’s not having it. She’s going to stay, she tells him, but offers a consolation prize in the form of a gleaming sword named Narsil. (Or, as he calls it, “The White Flame.”)
In this critical moment, Eregion desperately yearns for a sword, yet regrettably, Isildur is far off and it seems the situation may already be too dire, with buildings collapsing, fires spreading, orcs rampaging, and property values plummeting before the elves’ very eyes. Galadriel guides a band towards safety through an underground passage, but discovers to their dismay that it’s not as hidden as they had thought. A horde of orcs lies in wait for them. Remarkably, Galadriel has a backup plan and sacrifices herself as a hostage, adding a tantalizing incentive by revealing she possesses the nine rings of power meant for human control.
Within the forge of Celebrimbor, Sauron contemplates utilizing the smith as a practice target. In exchange for information on the rings, Sauron offers a speedy demise to his captive; however, this proposition fails to entice Celebrimbor who boldly refuses to part with the rings and taunts Sauron, suggesting he should instead waste time carving idols in the sand. He goads Sauron by challenging him to take his life, prophesying that the rings will be Sauron’s undoing and mockingly referring to him as “the Ringmaker.” As the orcs approach, Celebrimbor sheds tears, whether from the sting of his words or a genuine sorrow for his impending death is uncertain. Nonetheless, he swiftly suppresses these feelings and begins to win over the orcs he intends to recruit. (A fitting title for this tale could be “The Smith’s Defiance.”)
It’s been some time since we last caught up with Isildur and Theo, who recently shared a thoughtful moment, reflecting on their mutual past hardships as Isildur prepares to journey to Numenor (which he believes will remain unchanged from his previous departure). From the beginning of the series, Theo appears vulnerable, potentially swayed towards darkness, a vulnerability amplified by the loss of his mother. However, as the second season nears its end, it seems this dark path may have been avoided, thanks to Isildur and Arondir’s positive impact and aid. As for whether their impact will continue to serve as a beacon of guidance, that question will need to wait for future seasons to answer.
A more pressing issue at hand is the dynamic between Isildur and Estrid. Isildur, preparing to depart, intends to return to his homeland of Numenor from the old Numenorean settlement of Pelargir. On the other hand, Estrid intends to remain and stay loyal to her fiancé, Hagen. However, there’s a palpable sense of unresolved tension between them as Estrid pays him visits. She confides in him that she feels uneasy when Hagen professes his love for her, which isn’t a good sign for their future. This discomfort provides Isildur with an opportunity to kiss her and invite her to accompany him back to Numenor.
It’s not yet clear to Isildur, but what he perceives as Numenor has actually manifested itself as Kemen. With an air of ownership, Kemen strides around the dock, and in essence, he does control it since Numenor does. As Keen contemplates enhancing the area, Isildur arrives, and despite their embrace, the positive vibes dissipate swiftly. First, Isildur reveals that Estrid will accompany them, a revelation that catches Hagen off guard, causing him distress. In response, Kemen informs Hagen that there’s no place for “Low Men” on the ship and adds that Kemen’s father is in charge now, significantly reducing Isildur’s standing (and adding to his troubles, Elendil has become a fugitive).
If Isildur wasn’t previously aware that his former friend had turned into a difficult person, he is well informed now. It won’t be long before the entirety of Pelargir shares this knowledge, as Kemen proclaims the town will transform into a fortress under his leadership and begins issuing demands for timber in exchange for food supplies. (This situation seems poised to create some complications for Pelargir in the upcoming season.)
The unresolved issues from season two persist, as we find Galadriel consenting to Adar’s proposal following the tranquility outside Eregion. This agreement involves her joining forces with him against Sauron. However, this deal seems to have been made yesterday, as Adar now possesses a ring of power, enhancing his appearance. Instead of maintaining his elven beauty, he desires to remain true to his transformed self. After relinquishing the ring back to Galadriel, Adar reverts to his usual form, suggesting they’ve reached an understanding: They will defeat Sauron, return to Mordor, and Adar will disregard the elf-children Galadriel has slain. This arrangement appears favorable for both parties as well as Middle-earth in general, as orcs and elves would cease their ongoing conflicts.
In my tale, this situation persists until a horde of orcs appear, deceiving Adar into believing they haven’t been manipulated by Sauron. They then strike Adar down with the ruthless precision of Brutus on the Ides of March, taking advantage of his trust. This event paves the way for Sauron to reclaim the Crown of Morgoth, a symbol he last saw being placed upon Adar’s head during their betrayal in the initial flashback. His gaze towards Galadriel is menacing, hinting at the hardships he intends to inflict upon her. The orcs, his loyal minions, are eager to carry out their mission: to annihilate Eregion and capture its leaders for Sauron. They don’t mind destroying the scholarly works of the late Celebrimbor in the process. Despite Elrond’s desperate pleas, he can only watch helplessly as they set the city ablaze. To add to the misery, Eregion is far from its worst state – it’s merely a shadow of what it could have become, thanks to the timely arrival of some resilient dwarves. Regrettably, Durin III is not among them; Elrond is informed that he’s in mourning.
Galadriel proves tenacious in her battle against Sauron, who shapeshifts several times during their duel. Initially, he appears as Halbrand, then transforms into Galadriel herself, followed by Celebrimbor’s likeness, and finally adopting the silky-haired Annatar form that he favors from his time in Eregion. In this guise, Sauron manages to wound Galadriel with Morgoth’s crown and taunts her about being his queen. Despite the injury, Galadriel endures, but not without losing control over the nine rings of power. This could be disastrous! However, it would be catastrophic if Sauron also obtained Galadriel’s ring. To avert this calamity, she leaps off a cliff. Though she survives the fall, her condition is dire when Elrond, Arondir, and the High King find her. Elrond believes she can be saved, but her recovery will require aid from the rings.
In the Eastern region, Nori ponders the remnants of a destroyed village, as Poppy, resembling Samwise Gamgee, delivers a contemplative speech about the current state of affairs. Her focus is on loss, which is vividly illustrated through a sequence that serves as a record of destruction caused by recent events. For instance, in Khazad-dûm, Durin IV and Disa lead the dwarves in mourning their lost king, Elrond contemplates the ruins of Eregion, Theo watches Pelargir succumb to military control (resulting in Isildur and Estrid holding hands), Miriel stands before Pharazôn, listening to his deceitful words, and Elendil looks back at Numenor as he departs. “What’s shattered won’t mend,” she states. “All anyone can do is strive to create something fresh.” Her final words, spoken while Sauron makes his plans, carry a grim foreboding.
As the episode winds down, it’s evident that Nori and the Mysterious Figure are following distinct journeys, at least for now. Instead of settling in one place, she (along with Poppy) will be joining the stoors to learn how to thrive while roaming. After their emotional farewell, many pieces start to fit together for the Mysterious Figure. On the ground, he discovers the staff that initially appeared in his dreams. And perhaps there’s some truth to the name the stoors have given him, “Grand Elf.” Just as if he had forgotten that Tom Bombadil never offers straightforward answers about anything, the Mysterious Figure returns home. He tells his host, “It was all a test.” He could only locate the staff when he sought out his companions instead of pursuing power. True to character, Tom Bombadil neither confirms nor denies this or the Mysterious Figure’s realization that he will be known as “Gandalf,” which sounds smoother than “Grand Elf.” To mark the occasion, they both start singing together.
As we approach the finale of this season, The Rings of Power subtly sets up events for upcoming seasons. The Dark Wizard remains active, while Durin IV is ready to aid Eregion’s refugees, but not all dwarf leaders are willing to let him off the debt his father owes them. Additionally, there are whispers in Khazad-dûm that Durin IV might not be the successor Durin III had intended, with some other dwarf lords and even Durin’s brother seeming to support these rumors.
In a world where Sauron appears to have the upper hand, Galadriel awakens to find Middle-earth’s destiny seemingly in his grasp. The elves are left grappling with a tough decision: either launch an attack with diminished forces or withdraw and regroup. If asked for guidance, she echoes the words of Celebrimbor, “It is not strength that vanquishes darkness, but light, and the sun still shines.” It seems as if she’s been learning from Tom Bombadil’s lessons on leadership through ambiguity, yet it appears to have little impact. As the High King raises his sword towards the heavens, the elves cheer in unison, marking the end of another captivating season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
After considering this, it seems the storyline has left certain characters and aspects unresolved, and the series itself appears to be moving forward regardless. For instance, only Poppy and Nori from the Harfoots appeared in season two, with their storyline not necessarily being abandoned but set aside. The show seems open to discarding or modifying narrative threads if deemed necessary.
I’m eagerly looking forward to finding out what happens next in “The Rings of Power” as we reach the end of season two. The series shares the challenge that all prequels face: while we know the general outcome, the specifics remain a mystery. It’s not about whether Sauron will eventually prevail, but rather understanding how and what impact this will have on our beloved characters. Many of them are left in transitional states at the end of season two. For instance, do Nori and Poppy now hold honorary Stoor status? Where does the Stranger (Gandalf) go next? Will Kemen continue to act as a jerk or will he change his ways? These questions keep me intrigued and make me excited for a potential third season.
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• That said, the “Grand Elf” / “Gandalf” reveal may rival the origin of Han Solo’s name for silliness. In the end, maybe it would have been better off just having him be Gandalf all along.
Farewell Adar. Though he might not have been likable, he became one of the most intricate characters in “The Rings of Power.” Had his arrangement with Galadriel succeeded? That question remains unanswered.
• You kind of have to feel bad for Hagen, don’t you?
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2024-10-03 11:54