Review: The rings of power actually matter in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 5

As a die-hard fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, I must confess that this week’s episode left me feeling like a Númenorean sailor lost at sea. While there were some intriguing moments, overall it felt like we were treading water instead of making headway in the grand adventure.

So far, I’ve been rather critical of the second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, criticizing it for its lackluster characters, unclear plot progression, and seeming disregard for J.R.R. Tolkien’s work. However, I’ve also acknowledged some positive aspects, and there are instances when The Rings of Power delves deeper into those strengths, transforming into an entertaining, though somewhat shallow and sensational, viewing experience. This episode is one such instance where it truly shines, standing out as the best of the season thus far. I believe it’s a significant improvement over previous episodes.

This installment boasts many elements that make “The Rings of Power” shine – dwarves, Sauron, and stunning landscapes. On the other hand, it seems to minimize aspects often associated with elves and characters from the Southlands. Moreover, the titular rings are now more prominent in the narrative, adding an exciting twist given that we’re well into the second season of a series named after them. Nevertheless, having some forward movement is always welcome! Let’s dive in and explore further.

Review: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, Episode 5

Initially, what I find most appealing about this series are the dwarf characters. They stand out among other people due to their humor, which makes their scenes enjoyable instead of tense with anticipation for serious statements. Scenes as simple as Durin and Disa shopping in the underground market provide a refreshing change from the otherwise heavy tone of the show.

Among the relationships portrayed in the series, my favorite one is the bond between Durin and his father, both sharing the name Durin. Many viewers may find a resonance with the situation of observing an elder relative deteriorate mentally or physically, transforming into a stranger. It’s disheartening and unsettling, and this is what happens to Durin III upon acquiring one of the seven rings of dwarven power. With the ring’s power, he can locate mines and restore sunlight to Khazad-dûm, which is impressive, but he also exploits his position by demanding high taxes from other dwarven lords for the rings and flouts restrictions in order to allow deeper mining under the Misty Mountains. Durin IV recognizes something amiss with his father, yet hesitates to disrupt their reconciliation, choosing instead to believe he can serve as a moderating influence on his deteriorating father. Despite being non-human, the dwarves’ story on the show seems the most relatable to human experiences.

It’s common knowledge among those who have read or watched “The Lord of the Rings” that venturing further into the Misty Mountains is ill-advised, aligning with what we discover about the Second Age of Middle-earth in Tolkien’s appendices. In this world, the rings exert varying influences on the diverse races; dwarves, for instance, grow more secluded, mining excessively and delving unnecessarily deep.

In “The Rings of Power,” there’s a tendency for creative liberties with Tolkien’s original work, but in this particular episode, events fell into place nicely, providing a strong narrative structure. Notably, Sauron and Celebrimbor are working together to create the Rings of Power, which aligns well with the show’s title. The seven rings are already in existence, and now Sauron aims to craft nine for mortal men. However, Celebrimbor initially refuses, only for Sauron to employ his manipulative skills, exploiting Celebrimbor’s lie to High King Gil-galad to make him feel cornered. The episode concludes with Celebrimbor choosing to proceed with the creation of the nine rings, as he sees no other option: either create them or confess his deception to the High King and face a ban on further creations.

I like this tricky manipulative Sauron; he’s bringing some crafty villainous panache to the table. But is it too little too late? I have to point out that this arc — Sauron manipulating Celebrimbor into making the rings of power — is drawn directly from the source material while everything with Halbrand last season was completely made up for the show. And I’m enjoying the Annatar version of Sauron a lot more. Maybe that’s just me being a biased book reader, but I think the show made a mistake not skipping directly to some version of this story. I like that we’re getting somewhere but I feel like we should be further along by now.

Review: The rings of power actually matter in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 5

More like Númebore, amirite?

In essence, I found many aspects of Middle-earth captivating. Our brief visit to the island of Númenor, while not as engaging, still offered some intrigue. The swift introduction of King Ar-Pharazôn longing towards Aman, the distant land inhabited by divine Valar and their elven followers, was a dramatic touch I enjoyed, despite feeling it came on abruptly given our limited time spent on Númenor this season. This echoes the high fantasy arrogance that appeals to me, and aligns with the books, which is an added advantage.

Occasionally, it seems as though The Rings of Power draws upon Tolkien’s work without adequately explaining concepts to new viewers. While it is accurate that Númenor was split between followers of the Valar and those who were resentful towards them in the books, this dynamic has not been extensively explored in this current season. Admittedly, my recollection of season 1 details may be hazy due to parts of the show being somewhat unengaging at times, rather than attributing it to any personal lack of attention or memory lapses. Is it possible that I’m overlooking key developments in the show? Let’s discuss further in the comments to see if my observations are valid.

To put it simply, Elendil and his daughter Eärien represent different factions among the Númenoreans due to their contrasting beliefs and attitudes. While Elendil remains loyal to the Valar and mourns for his lost son Isildur, Eärien aligns with the antagonist Pharazôn who dislikes the Valar. Furthermore, Elendil is a character from the original books, whereas Eärien appears exclusively in the show. Given these differences, it’s not surprising that they have strained relations, as Elendil represents tradition and restraint while Eärien embodies change and rebellion – much like country and rock music.

To put it simply, the family conflict here is hard for me to follow compared to the dwarves’ tales, perhaps because Númenoreans seem less engaging in general. A skirmish occurred between supporters of the Valar and those loyal to Pharazôn, resulting in an unidentified character’s death. I believe he was on Elendil’s side. In response, Elendil grows angry and is taken into custody. Stay tuned for more next week.

Join us next week as we follow Galadriel’s story, captured by Adar. Meanwhile, Adar advances his troops towards Eregion with the intention of eradicating Sauron, who interestingly enough, was initially sent there by Adar himself under the disguise of Halbrand. Although this narrative deviates from the original books and doesn’t seem as captivating to me, it promises a battle which was a major highlight in the first season, so brace yourselves for another exciting episode!

The Bullet Points of Power

I know it was just nostalgia bate, but my Lord of the Rings-loving heart still danced when the dwarves presented Celebrimbor with the Doors of Durin, the gate we see in Peter Jackson’s trilogy.
We don’t visit Rhûn this week, which is too bad since I think Nori and Poppy are two of the more likable characters on the show. On the other hand, I watch those scenes in constant fear that the show is going to violate canon in some spectacular way, so maybe it’s for the best.

Episode Grade: B

2024-09-12 15:41