The Rings of Power marks time in sleepy new episode (season 2, episode 4 review)

As a longtime Tolkien enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in Middle Earth’s enchanting lore, I must admit that this week’s episode left me feeling rather underwhelmed. It seemed to be more of a patchwork quilt of scenes strung together than a cohesive narrative.

I have a sense that my feedback might not be favorable; I’m simply providing advance notice. While there were aspects of the latest episode of The Rings of Power that I appreciated, overall it left me feeling rather unengaged

One of the problems with The Rings of Power is that many of the plotlines are isolated from each other, and some are more entertaining than others. My favorite characters are the dwarves. They seem more human than everyone else, including the humans. They fight, make up, snipe, joke, work and laugh. I’m invested emotionally in them. I’ve also been Celebrimbor’s time with Sauron, who is manipulating the craftsman elf into making rings of power. Now that we know that Sauron is Sauron, we can enjoy his turn into over-the-top villainy.

In this episode, none of the familiar faces make an appearance, and those who do seem to linger before discovering something engaging to participate in. We might as well begin with the least captivating narratives and gradually move towards the more intriguing ones

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power review: Season 2, Episode 4

It’s a challenge for me to invest emotions in Isildur, Arondir, Theo (Arondir’s stepson), and Estrid, as they all seem quite somber and serious. I wonder if any of them have hobbies, find humor in things, or enjoy certain music. Perhaps they each possess unique qualities that set them apart, because at this point, their constant serious discussions about responsibility and fate are becoming a bit overwhelming for me

In the latest episode, Theo disappeared following an encounter with some rogue bandits, prompting Isildur and Arondir to embark on a search for him. Accompanying them is Astrid, whose allegiance seems questionable; she was once associated with Adar, although whether this was by choice remains unclear due to a distinctive tattoo on her neck. This mark has led Theo’s companions to suspect her of ill intentions, resulting in her being restrained and escorted through the woods. Previously, there had been mutual admiration between Astrid and Isildur. However, their interactions have since shifted from flirtation to conflict. I find myself torn between becoming invested in their relationship and waiting for the show to develop both characters into more intriguing figures

Eventually, they manage to locate Theo, who is now captive due to the ire of a disgruntled Entwife, distraught because trees in the forest are being felled. This scenario aligns with the environmental themes prevalent in the Ent tales found in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, albeit without much elaboration. Here, the Entwife and her Ent spouse are used to express anger towards deforestation, and the narrative swiftly progresses, having confidence that ardent fans in the audience were treated to a glimpse of an Ent

As for Theo, he continues forward without linking up with Arondir on his subsequent plans, for some unknown reason that I can’t quite place. Yet, one aspect of this narrative that truly captivated me was when Arondir and Isildur were dragged into a bog by a colossal slug beast, and it was Astrid who came to their rescue. The excitement in the action and the palpable dread of being submerged in a mystical marsh are potent enough to slice through the monotony

Additionally, we catch up with Galadriel, Elrond, and their group of Elven messengers. Elves, much like humans, can be as rigid and uninteresting, but they do have a flair for fashion. They’re on a mission to reach Eregion to alert Celebrimbor about Sauron, but are halted due to a destroyed bridge. They opt for a detour through a malevolent forest where they clash with wicked barrow wights; one Elf meets an untimely end in the skirmish. Emotions run high…someone must be weeping. They cross paths with a horde of orcs, and Galadriel lends her ring of power to Elrond so she can remain behind to fend off the attackers, giving her allies an opportunity to flee. Later, Adar, who seems to be leading these orcs towards Eregion to uncover Sauron, makes his presence known

I’m describing these events with only a small amount of enthusiasm, since they didn’t stir much passion within me. The barrow wights seem interesting, but there needs to be more motivation behind the action scenes than just that. Having the bridge out felt like a way to make the journey longer, and as for Galadriel and Adar…I suppose we’ll find out more next time

The Rings of Power marks time in sleepy new episode (season 2, episode 4 review)

Harfoots, wizards and Tom Bombadil

In the eastern desert of Rhûn, the episode’s most intriguing scenes unfolded last time, as The Stranger, Nori, and Poppy were parted at the finale. As it stands, Nori and Poppy remain united, encountering a tribe of desert-dwelling halflings known as Stoors. Unlike their counterparts in other realms, these halflings on this show possess distinct personalities and know how to enjoy themselves. I found myself captivated by the interaction between Nori and Poppy, who managed to gain entry into the Stoor village, and the stern speech of the Stoor elder. Moreover, the blossoming chemistry between Poppy and a curious Stoor named Nobody, momentarily disrupted by Nori’s interruption, was another highlight for me

The best moment of the episode comes when the Stoor elder fills in some bits of halfling lore for Nori. It seems like all halflings may have lived this area at one point, but one left to go find a more hospitable land. Generations later, that sect of halflings are still wandering. Nori puts it together, and actually gets me to well up with emotion when she says, “We have no home.” This storyline effectively integrates lore, character, plot and emotion. More of this kind of thing, please. Also, the Dark Wizard’s weird masked minions better stay away from the Stoors. Bite their ankles, halflings.

Indeed, there’s a character in these local circles often referred to as the Mystic Sorcerer, rumored to have been chasing the Stranger since the initial season. As an avid reader of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, I find this rather far-fetched. The folklore surrounding the wizards is quite extensive and this doesn’t align with it, even considering a generous interpretation from the producers. However, as someone who wishes to immerse myself in this television series, I appreciate the concept of the bearded enchanter and his diminutive allies squaring off against the malevolent sorcerer of the east. Why not indulge in such imaginative tales?

The show’s inclusion of Tom Bombadil, a character from “The Fellowship of the Ring” who is often omitted in adaptations because he doesn’t affect the plot, seems to contradict Tolkien’s original work. His role here, which involves guiding the Stranger in magic, further challenges his literary significance

That’s the problem I expect book fans will have with Tom; the Tom we know from The Lord of the Rings would never take this much interest in the wider world. Meanwhile, folks who don’t know of him might wonder why a complete rando is suddenly at the center of this important storylilne. I don’t know if there’s an upside to including him. And if the show must go there, I’m going to need a lot more gratuitous singing. Give me the full, baffling Tom Bombadil experience or give me nothing.

This performance seemed rather uninteresting, folks. I believe it could’ve focused solely on the dwarves and the harfoot characters, and perhaps be titled “Small Folk“. As their size suggests, they are diminutive beings, hence the name. Hopefully, that makes sense to you

Episode Grade: C-

2024-09-05 14:42

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