The Rings of Power season 2 episode 5 recap and review

As a seasoned fan with over two decades of Middle-earth adventures under my belt, I must say that the fifth episode of The Rings of Power season 2 left me feeling a bit like a Dwarf lost in the dark caves beneath Khazad-dûm. While there were some intriguing developments and important moments, it seemed to lack the action and momentum that has become synonymous with this epic series.

We’ve moved past the midpoint in the second season of “The Rings of Power.” After Galadriel was captured by Adar and his orcs in the fourth episode titled “Eldest,” the fifth episode of the season, continues the narrative from that event, but takes the story on a fresh path.

Initially, let’s reconnect with our valued companions in Eregion, Numenor, and Khazad-dûm. Regrettably, I found this episode to be one of the less engaging ones this season for me. Despite some crucial moments, the absence of action, notable characters, and the grand scale of the story have seemingly slowed down the narrative flow.

King Durin III begins to be corrupted by the rings of power

Despite Prince Durin’s worries, King Durin decides to take the ring given by Celebrimbor. He employs the ring’s power to excavate the sun, in essence. Attempting to intervene, Prince Durin urges his father, but King Durin seizes the axe and starts mining into the mountain, risking its collapse. After several minutes of digging, he breaks a hole in the side of the mountain, exposing Khazad-dûm to sunlight.

King Durin instructs the laborers to chisel open numerous passages within the mountain using their axes. Over time, they manage to create sufficient gaps in the mountainside for sunlight to penetrate. This allows them to cultivate crops, heat their dwellings, and carry out other daily activities. However, Disa and the Stone Singers are uneasy about this change, as it seems to have supplanted their traditional roles, which were once overseen by a different authority – the King and his ring.

In their resumption of daily routines, Disa unexpectedly ventures into a shadowy cavern. It’s unusual for a Stone Singer like her to be disoriented about her location within the mountain. She attempts to sing to help locate herself, but a chilling response echoes back instead. A presence seems to lurk beneath the mountain, whispering ominously.

King Durin proposes trading the rings to the fellow Dwarf rulers for half of their wealth. Not long afterward, Prince Durin storms into the king’s room, warning him about an old menace lurking in the mines, yet King Durin chooses to disregard the information.

Later on, I found myself attempting to persuade my father once more against the use of those enchanted rings. However, my efforts were in vain. After our heated debate, Disa managed to convince me, Prince Durin, that I should never don the Rings of Power bestowed upon us dwarves. I solemnly pledged that I would never wear them.

Annatar convinces Celebrimbor to start making the nine rings for the Kings of Men

Following the presentation of the Doors of Durin as a token of appreciation for his dwarven ring-crafting skills, Celebrimbor and Annatar rejoiced with their fellow smiths in the forge. However, Annatar grew uneasy. He subtly influenced Celebrimbor to fashion nine rings, three times more than what was given to the Elves, intended for the rulers of men.

At first, Celebrimbor refuses his request. He is wary of the Men who were to receive these rings, yet Annatar promises that he would create the rings himself.

In time, Celebrimbor crafts the nine magical rings intended for the rulers of men. Regrettably, one of these rings slips onto the hand of Mirdania, Celebrimbor’s assistant. This ring, she claims, grants her a glimpse into a mysterious realm where she perceives an imposing figure with fiery skin. Could this be Sauron? Or perhaps it is Morgoth? While wearing the ring, she becomes undetectable and grows fearful. Annatar had augmented the alloy with mithril, which he claimed caused this effect, but we can surmise that there’s more to the story.

Unexpectedly, Prince Durin makes an appearance to discuss his father’s actions with Celebrimbor. He inquires whether Sauron (Annatar) is manipulating the rings in a way that alters his father’s nature.

Annatar takes advantage of his position to influence those associated with Celebrimbor. He informs Mirdania that she witnessed Celebrimbor’s true aspect following the creation of the rings, as it had drained him significantly. Furthermore, he comments on her resemblance to Galadriel, which appears to delight her.

Later, Celebrimbor inquires about the alterations made to the Dwarven rings with Annatar. Annatar acknowledges they both worked on it together, surprising Celebrimbor, yet he accepts this truth. Celebrimbor had deceived when lying about forging the rings to Gil-galad. Annatar advises him either to seek forgiveness from Gil-galad or continue refining his craft to rectify these altered rings.

Celembrimbor tells his team that they need to correct their past errors by crafting the nine rings meant for Men. They aim to rectify the blunders made with the rings for Elves and Dwarves. They are starting anew, intending to create these rings flawlessly, and they begin work on them right away.

Kemen kills Valandil

After Queen Miriel’s troubled coronation in Numenor, the situation has deteriorated. It appears that Pharazon will ascend to the throne, a development that Queen Miriel accepts gracefully.

As a gamer, I’d rephrase it like this: “I asked Elendil about his encounter with the Palantir. He told me he glimpsed Isildur, surprisingly alive in Middle-earth, but he’s unsure of his whereabouts. She shared that her vision through the Palantir was dreadful, yet she wonders if now that Pharazon is taking the throne, things might improve.

After a moment of quiet contemplation at the shrine, I find myself facing an unexpected intrusion: Kemen, Pharazon’s son, accompanied by guards. In a swift, rage-fueled motion, Kemen destroys the sacred relic, prompting me, Elendil, to retaliate with a powerful punch directed at his face. The King’s men quickly seize me, but Valandil leaps into action, engaging Kemen in combat. In the heat of battle, Valandil gains the upper hand, pushing Kemen close to death, until I intervene and halt him, preventing what could have been a fatal blow.

As Valandil departs, Kemen leaps forward and plunges a knife into Valandil’s heart, resulting in his demise. Subsequently, the guards apprehend Elendil for instigating the altercation.

Gil-galad refuses to send troops for Mordor or Eregion

Celebrimbor writes to Gil-galad. He lies and claims that they are done working on the rings, as requested, but Gil-galad knows that he is lying. He knows that Sauron has influenced him somehow, and he foresees certain events. Gil-galad refuses to send the troops to Eregion or Mordor when Elrond shows up in Lindon.

Adar offers Galadriel a truce

Approaching Eregion, it’s unveiled that Adar and his orcs have Galadriel imprisoned. Upon release, she brandishes a knife against Adar. Rather than slaying her on the spot, Adar proposes an alliance to vanquish a mutual foe.

As a gaming enthusiast, here’s my take:

2024-09-12 16:28