The Rings of Power season 2 episode 2 recap and review

As an old Elven scholar who has spent countless centuries observing the unfolding events of Middle-earth, I must say that the latest revelations have sent shivers down my spine. The cunning deception of Annatar, disguising himself as Halbrand, and his manipulation of Celebrimbor is a tale as old as the first songs sung by the Ainur. It reminds me of an old Elvish proverb: “The sweetest honey can hide a deadly poison.”

In the debut of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, the storyline primarily revolved around Galadriel, Sauron, Elrond, and the three rings forged by Celebrimbor in the previous season. Conspicuously absent from the first two episodes were our companions from Khazad-dûm, Prince Durin, Disa, and the dwarves. The second episode picks up from where we left off in season 1’s finale.

In simpler terms, Prince Durin and his companion Disa are living among ordinary people due to a disagreement between Prince Durin and King Durin. While strolling through the market, Disa senses an impending earthquake and warns everyone to prepare themselves. Just as she says this, the ground shakes violently, causing a large piece of rock to collapse and destroy a nearby bridge.

It seems like the reemergence of Mordor is creating troubles across Middle-earth, or perhaps it’s a matter of dwarves delving excessively into their mines. We’ll discover the truth shortly.

Sauron gains Celebrimbor’s favor

Following the introductory sequence, Galadriel is plagued by distressing premonitions. In these visions, she witnesses Celebrimbor’s tragic demise at the hands of a tree’s menacing vines. Sauron is tormenting her thoughts. Meanwhile, Gil-galad and his counselors are strategizing about returning to the Southern Lands and launching an assault on Mordor. Seeking Galadriel’s wisdom, Gil-galad requests her opinion. In response, she reveals a plan she has conceived for attacking Mordor.

Once all other counselors depart, Gil-galad and Galadriel engage in a conversation about Sauron’s objectives and strategies. Galadriel is aware that Sauron doesn’t intend to win this conflict through armies or seize power by force; rather, he aims to manipulate people using the rings to control their desires and will.

Gil-galad confides in Galadriel that he too is experiencing visions of ominous events unfolding across Middle-earth. Trying to persuade Gil-galad, Galadriel suggests departing for Eregion to alert Celebrimbor about the threat Sauron poses. However, Gil-galad refuses to let her go by herself due to his concern that she might not be able to confront Sauron once more. Instead, they decide to dispatch messengers. Oh dear, what a blunder!

While in disguise as Halbrand, Sauron is barred from entering Eregion by Celebrimbor, yet he refuses to depart. He claims he’ll stay put until Celebrimbor reconsiders his decision. However, Celebrimbor chooses not to negotiate with him due to Galadriel’s advice. He mentions that he expects a message from Lindon soon, but we later see the messengers either dead or near death, ambushed on their journey by an unknown assailant.

As time goes by, there’s been no news from Celebrimbor. Galadriel plans to journey to Eregion to check if Sauron has resurfaced, but she seeks Elrond’s aid. She wishes to share her regret over trusting Sauron with Elrond, but he dismisses her concerns. He suggests that Sauron may have already manipulated not only her, but also Gil-galad and others. She implores Elrond for assistance as she realizes she cannot confront Sauron alone, yet he remains resolute in his refusal. He claims they’ve become Sauron’s accomplices. This moment of rejection from Elrond may have sparked the events leading to him actively aiding in the destruction of the ring in the story of The Lord of the Rings.

Afterward, I, a devoted fan, find Elrond once more seeking the guidance of Cirdan. Cirdan demonstrates to Elrond the might of the rings, cautioning that they ought to stay with the Elves and be employed for noble purposes. If these rings fall into Sauron’s grip, the devastation they could cause is beyond imagination. Cirdan implores me, Elrond, to lead my friends, including Galadriel and Gil-galad, “before the shadows engulf Middle-earth and plunge us all into darkness.” Well said, Cirdan!

In Eregion, Celebrimbor crafts something out of the Mithril. His advisor offers to bring Halbrand a coat on this cold night. Instead, Celebrimbor asks Halbrand to leave or he’ll be removed. Halbrand claims to have spoken with Galadriel, but he has his hooks in Celebrimbor. He plays on Celebrimbor’s ego and the fact that Galadriel and Gil-galad haven’t reached out to Celebrimbor. That’s just what Celebrimbor was waiting for. He offers Halbrand food and drink in exchange for finding out if the rings worked. Halbrand reveals that the rings worked and saved the Elves. Celebrimbor celebrates the occasion, of creating something incredible after all these years.

Halbrand persistently influences Celebrimbor. In the end, he discloses the real intent behind his visit. It turns out that Halbrand desires to create rings for Men. At first, Celebrimbor is hesitant, but Halbrand clarifies that he’s not truly Halbrand. Rather, he’s Annatar, a representative from the Valar and bearer of gifts. He explains to Celebrimbor that the Rings of Power are the sole means of restraining the growing darkness in Middle-earth.

Celebrimbor remains skeptical until Annatar performs a magical demonstration, exiting the forge transformed into a new Elven shape. Annatar assures Celebrimbor that he will collaborate with him, aiming to make him “Master of the Rings.”

Who could turn down that opportunity? Not Celebrimbor. And, they get right to work!

Back in Lindon, Gil-galad agrees to send Galadriel to Eregion, but Elrond will be in charge.

Who is stalking Nori and the Stranger?

At long last, we discover! Minions of a sinister sorcerer, portrayed by Ciarán Hinds, have dispatched someone to trail our group. We reencounter the Dweller from season 1, one of Sauron’s faithful servants, who resurfaced following the Stranger’s transformation of them into swarms of moths. They provide us with an update on Nori, Poppy, and the enigmatic Stranger before the tracker adorned with a skull mask arrives. It unveils that the Stranger and Nori are bound for Rhûn, and it vows to deliver the Stranger into the clutches of the Dark Wizard before he amasses his powers.

In a different phrasing, Nori, Poppy, and the Mysterious Figure notice someone is tailing them. They employ their disguising cloak that bears a striking resemblance to the one Frodo and Sam used following the rockslide near The Black Gate of Mordor as depicted in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. This time, they manage to avoid being caught, but it’s clear they’ll encounter these masked individuals again before long.

Afterward, they proceed through the barren desert terrain until the Stranger succumbs to exhaustion. Fortunately, they are near a well at this point. In their search for the water source, the sound of a bell rings out as they attempt to revive the unconscious Stranger.

He wakes and finds a staff, very similar to the one from his dream.

1. The ringing bell catches the eye of the horseback-riding men wearing skull masks. In an instant, they’re charging towards them. The Stranger then summons a whirlwind, yet struggles to maintain control. The twister expands beyond measure and sends Nori and Poppy flying through the air instead.

Disa and the Stone Singers can’t hear the mountain anymore

After reuniting with the Dwarves, Disa guides the Stone Singers to King Durin to deliver a report. One of Durin’s counselors informs the King and his advisors that an eruption from Mount Doom has caused cave-ins in the mountain tunnels. Disa and her fellow Stone Singers propose using their music to locate a new passage through the mountains and restore light, enabling the Dwarves to farm again. Unfortunately, their efforts are unsuccessful, and another part of the mountain collapses on them.

If the Stone Singers can’t find a way, the times are changing. “The hand of darkness has covered Khazad-dûm,” King Durin claims.

Durin asks Disa to remain behind, and they have a heated argument about the King and Prince’s stubbornness about the grudges they are carrying. Disa appears to speak some sense into King Durin, and she asks the King to summon Prince Durin to bury the axe between them.

On that particular evening, Disa and Prince Durin find themselves in a heated disagreement concerning their circumstances. Disa expresses her fear, explaining that she can no longer hear the soothing sounds of the mountain. Durin attempts to reassure her, stating that they’ll manage. However, one must wonder if they truly will.

The episode ends with a message from Celebrimbor showing up at Prince Durin’s chamber. He has invited the Dwarves to Eregion. Uh-oh!

It sure seems like we’re going to finally see some rings being made soon!

2024-08-29 16:30

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