The Rings of Power season 2 episode 1 recap and review

As a long-time fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic masterpiece, I must admit that my initial excitement for “The Rings of Power” season 2 was somewhat tempered by the first episode. Don’t get me wrong, it was still an engaging watch, but it seems the creators are trying to cram too many storylines into a single season.

You can now stream season 2 of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” on Amazon Prime Video. Fans have eagerly anticipated this release, as they’ve waited over two years for fresh episodes from the series.

Towards the close of the initial season, Morfydd Clark’s character, Galadriel, discerns Sauron’s (Charlie Vickers) presence. Although he extends an invitation to a role in his upcoming realm, she refuses him for the moment. The season concludes with Sauron setting out towards Mordor, aiming to reclaim his throne.

In the season finale of the show, Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards), Elrond (Robert Aramayo), and Galadriel secretly forge three rings made of Mithril to prolong Elven existence on Middle-earth. However, it’s revealed in the season 2 premiere that Sauron had been influencing Celebrimbor as he repeated a phrase from Sauron’s past to Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker) during their conversation, hinting at Sauron’s manipulation.

Apart from our knowledge that the Mysterious Man (Daniel Weyman) possesses magical abilities, we’re unsure if he resembles Gandalf or another wizard. That question will be answered shortly! However, it’s revealed that Nori Harfoot (Markella Kavenagh) leaves her settlement to aid this enigmatic figure in achieving his mission. When the series concludes, Nori and the Mysterious Man are bound for Rhûn.

The second season opener delves into some details about Sauron’s past. Following Morgoth’s downfall, Sauron assumes the throne and makes efforts to persuade the orcs of his future aspirations. In a speech, he subtly reveals his plans to harness power from an unseen realm by means of rings, which was foreshadowed in Celebrimbor’s remarks during the season 1 finale.

Following our actions, I, along with the orcs, turned against the powerful Sauron. As I claimed his helm, a sudden surge of rage coursed through me, causing me to plunge it into his neck instead. The orcs tore him apart in their frenzy. In our struggle, we were overpowered by sheer numbers. We thought we had left Sauron for dead, but then an unexpected twist unfolded. Something neither I nor the orcs had foreseen occurred.

Through fissures and gaps, traces of Sauron’s essence ooze forth, leaving him in a weakened, inhuman state for a while. Once he recovers his strength, he ventures out from the mountain as a shape-shifting mass. In due course, Sauron encounters a human wanderer, takes control of his body, and that marks the beginning of what follows.

We see Sauron journey to the sea where he meets Galadriel and their time together begins. 

Elrond refuses to give the rings to Gil-galad 

Elrond leaves Eregion and brings the rings to Gil-galad. He accuses Galadriel of having a false companion, Halbrand, whom she claims is not who he appears to be. At first, Galadriel keeps this secret, but eventually, she admits it. She tells them how Sauron has tricked her and them all. Elrond scolds Galadriel for letting her pride get in the way.

As a devoted admirer of the noble Gil-galad, I find myself in a predicament. I, Elrond, have endeavored to convey an urgent message: we must destroy the rings. However, Gil-galad, with his profound wisdom, sees these rings as our only hope against Sauron, the means to halt the calamity he calls the fading, and ultimately save Middle-earth’s people. In a dramatic gesture of desperation, I plunge from the lofty heights of Lindon, vanishing from sight.

Sauron returns to Mordor as Halbrand

Undercover as King Halbrand of the Southlands, Sauron intentionally allows himself to be apprehended on his return journey to Mordor. He confronts Adar and insists that the people of the Southlands must be released. Halbrand divulges that Galadriel has directed the Elves to craft a potent weapon and gain control over bodies, referring to Sauron. This revelation startles the orcs, as they fear Sauron’s return. Adar commands the supposed Halbrand to disclose the specifics of this plan for Galadriel to locate Sauron. However, Halbrand refrains from sharing that information, understanding that it will keep him safe. The orcs, desperate to extract the details, brutally interrogate Halbrand while keeping him imprisoned.

Later, Waldreg presents Halbrand with food in hopes of obtaining information, yet Sauron remains unresponsive to both the sustenance and the proposal. Instead, they continue to torment him as Adar looks on. Though Sauron may have vanished physically, he continues to linger within their minds without paying rent. Subsequently, Halbrand shares his meal with one of the fierce creatures confined alongside him; however, before doing so, he manages to tame it and encourages the creature to accept the treat politely. Essentially, Halbrand serves as Middle-earth’s version of a dog trainer!

Nori and the Stranger plod along toward Rhûn 

As the pair traverses the barren desert, a figure wearing a mask resembling a skull seems to be following them, staying close on their heels. Meanwhile, the enigmatic Stranger experiences recurring dreams and hallucinations that his companion, Nori, points out as familiar.

1. At last, they reach a barren tree. Niori requests the Mysterious Figure to employ his abilities to miraculously make the tree produce fruit, yet it proves futile. Suddenly, the tree detonates. (This version maintains the original’s tone while making the language more natural and easy-to-read.)

On that particular evening, they conversed near the fire. Subsequently, the Mysterious Figure confided in Nori that they were being trailed. There’s a definite whiff of Gandalf’s enigmatic presence about it!

1. They run away, only to lay a trap for the one who pursues them later on. From an elevated position, Nori observes as they employ a trigger mechanism and a net to ensnare POPPY PROUDFELLOW! One might wonder why Poppy (Megan Richards) is out in the desert, and how she managed to locate them?

Poppy discloses an interesting detail: “The Walking Song” the Harfoots often sing isn’t merely a tune, but serves as a guide. It guides Nori, the Stranger, and Poppy towards Rhûn. Poppy points out that the Stranger seems to be studying the landscape as if he had visited it previously.

It’s uncovered that the ones accompanying the Stranger and Nori are, in fact, agents of Sauron. That’s quite intriguing, indeed.

Gil-galad admonishes Galadriel 

Gil-galad sends a message to Celebrimbor to alert him to Sauron’s deception and to share the news that Halbrand is actually Sauron. 

After the messenger departs, Gil-galad firmly expresses his displeasure to Galadriel. Despite his anger, she promises him that Sauron will be vanquished. He acknowledges that it’s solely because of this objective that she continues to live, given the predicament she has created.

Galadriel is aware of Elrond’s plans regarding the rings. She understands that he intends to attempt their destruction and find a reliable person to assist him in this endeavor.

Elrond seeks the counsel of Círdan the Shipwright

Elrond brings the rings to Círdan (Ben Daniels), who is a huge character in this world. He’s the most famous shipbuilder in Middle-earth. Elrond shares with Círdan that he wishes to destroy the rings. As Círdan is telling Elrond how to destroy the rings, Galadriel and Gil-galad arrive. Galadriel tries to convince Elrond to trust in the rings and turn them back over. Galadriel reveals that the rings are free of Sauron’s influence, but Elrond doesn’t trust that Galadriel is free of Sauron’s influence. 

Elrond reveals that the rings are gone. They’re with Círdan, and they’re heading out to sea to be destroyed. 

However, as Círdan attempts to cast the rings into the water, a sudden, powerful wave pushes him back into the boat instead. He chooses not to destroy the rings, recognizing their potency. He senses their power and understands that these rings are the key to preserving the Elves.

Adar frees Sauron 

Adar shares his past with Sauron, recounting how Morgoth put him through a harrowing ordeal by binding him on a towering cliff for an extended period. He describes the torment he endured until Sauron offered him a drink. Then, questioning whether this stranger is indeed the ruler of the Southern Lands, Adar inquires about Sauron’s knowledge. Claiming to have liberated all the people under the Southern Lands, Adar seeks answers from Halbrand.

Halbrand discloses that Sauron has reappeared, though he’s unsure about Sauron’s current form. He proposes a bargain to Adar: if Adar grants him freedom, Halbrand will leverage his connections with the elves to aid in locating and vanquishing Sauron. In this gesture of submission, Halbrand kneels before Adar and pledges an oath to the Ruler of Mordor.

As Sauron departs from the encampment, he first sets free a terrifying creature that proceeds to devour Waldreg and other orcs within the camp.

Gil-galad reveals that the Elves must leave Middle-earth 

In a solemn gathering, Elrond, Galadriel, and other elves listen as Gil-galad speaks of their imminent departure from Middle-earth. But moments later, Elrond’s long-lost friend arrives unannounced, carrying the three rings that he claims can halt the waning of Middle-earth and keep the elves here forever. When Galadriel and Gil-galad don these rings, the golden tree miraculously blooms once more!

Elrond, I believe, is supposed to be wearing one of those rings, but he leaves the party for now. 

In Eregion, Celebrimbor fires up the new forge again! He plans to use it. 

Under the guise of Hilbrand, Sauron calls on his longtime companion, Celebrimbor. It seems they still have a couple of magical rings left to forge!

All in all, I found the initial installment of The Rings of Power season 2 quite enjoyable. It set an engaging tone for the rest of the season, and it clarified many doubts I had regarding the direction the narrative would take moving forward.

“The Rings of Power” is facing an issue with its pace. It seems too jam-packed, and we were introduced to only about half of the key characters in the season 2 opener. Although the trailer suggests that all the pieces are falling into place, I feel the creative team might have tried to involve too many elements, which could potentially be overwhelming.”

Yes, we care about these characters, but there’s just not enough screen time to give them all the time they deserve. In some ways, it’s like Team USA playing in the Olympics. There are only so many minutes to give Jason Tatum, Anthony Edwards, and Bam Adebayo when you’re letting LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant go to work. 

The other problem is that, despite the many talented performers, I don’t think a lot of these characters are interesting or important enough to devote several episodes of time to throughout an eight-episode series. In other words, there’s no Jason Tatum, Anthony Edwards, and Bam Adebayo coming off the bench. Morfydd Clark is a star. I love her as Galadriel. And, I’m a big, big fan of Charlie Vickers as Halbrand, Sauron, and the many other guises he’ll don in future episodes. Outside of those two, and maybe Robert Aramayo as Elrond and Ismael Cruz Córdova as Arondir, I really don’t feel that I’m that invested in the stories of the Harfoots, the Stranger, and the others. 

We’ll keep an eye on that as the season progresses.

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2024-08-29 16:28