Choosing Your Path, Finding Your Name, And Reversing Fortunes
The Rings of Power Season 2, Episodes 1–3 Review and Analysis
The Rings of Power Season 2, Episodes 1–3
How do you choose your path? Find your name? Respond to reversing fortunes?
The Rings of Power returns for Season 2 with three episodes that explore these themes as the show picks up the threads left dangling after the Season 1 finale and weaves new ones into the grander, richer, darker story it's telling.
The shockwaves from the eruption of Mount Doom and the revelation of Sauron’s identity reverberate through Lindon, Khazad-dûm, Eregion, and even Rhûn, and the new and returning characters must make choices that will define not just what they do but who they are.
This season seeks to build on the strengths of the prior season while improving in other areas and, so far, accomplishes that task. (Though decisions and changes from the source material made last season such as the time compression of the events depicted and the forging of the elven rings before any of the other rings are ones that must be lived with). The pacing is deliberate but not meandering, the visuals are stunning, the music is wonderful, there are standout performances from Robert Aramayo (Elrond), Charlie Vickers (Sauron), Owain Arthur (Durin IV), Charles Edwards (Celebrimbor) and more, and the intensity and stakes are ramping up.
Based on these three episodes, Season 2 of The Rings of Power is off to a solid start. I do have my qualms or nitpicks, but they are almost entirely minor or things I’m willing to wait and see develop before a final judgment. I loved these three episodes and am excited for the remainder of the journey this season! It's good to be back in Middle-earth.
Below I share a thematic analysis of each episode (not an exhaustive or mere episode recap) plus some stray thoughts (“Unfinished Tales”), but beware:
***** SPOILERS beyond this point *****
Choosing Your Path—“Elven Kings Under the Sky”
The season premiere, "Elven Kings Under the Sky," finds many of our characters at a crossroads.
In a flashback to the beginning of the Second Age we see a previous form of Sauron (Jack Lowden) claim to the remnants of Morgoth's forces, "I am your only future and my path is your only path." But they reject his vision, choosing to follow their Father Adar instead and leaving Sauron in need of a power "not of the flesh but over flesh" in order to bring them—along with the rest of Middle-earth—into line.
Instead of crowning him as the new Dark Lord, Adar stabs Sauron with the tips of the crown Sauron was to wear. This is the first of innumerable stabs from the orcs that leave Sauron's corporeal form devastated. His form explodes, releasing a wave of cold, dark energy that mirrors the shockwave from the creation of Mount Doom. This wave, however, spreads frost instead of fire and snow in place of ash.
Escaping as a writhing mass of blood and ooze that absorbs increasingly greater insects, animals, and finally a person, Sauron eventually reforms as Halbrand. In this form he comes across Diarmid, a man whose family served the ancient kings of the Southlands. Diarmid warns Halbrand the direction he is heading is a path to death.
"That way lies my path," Halbrand replies.
"There's another life waiting for you, you just have to turn toward it."
It is in falling in with this man and his traveling companions that Halbrand ends up on the ship heading to Númenor. Discussing the evil he has done in the past, Diarmid councils Halbrand: "Find forgiveness. You're alive because you have chosen good."
"What of tomorrow?" asks Halbrand.
"You have to choose it again. And the next day. And the next. Until it becomes a part of your nature."1
The flashback ends with Halbrand on the raft, meeting Galadriel and saying his first line to her from Season 1, Episode 2: “The tides of fate are flowing. Yours may be heading in or out.”2
The Elves of Lindon face a choice of their own as they decide whether to use the three Rings of Power forged in the final episode of last season to stop their tide from flowing out of Middle-earth entirely. In light of the revelation that Sauron had a hand in influencing the creation of the Rings, do they, as Elrond argues, reject the gifts because of the corrupt and malicious nature of the Giver? Will choosing to use this power again and again make the corruption of Sauron part of their nature? Or do they, as Galadriel and Gil-galad argue, trust that because Sauron was not present during their actual creation it means they are safe to use? Can the art truly be separated from the artist? Can the power of the Rings be used safely?
The Stranger and Nori find themselves needing to literally pick their path on their adventure. They do so unsuccessfully, running so low on food that Nori encourages The Stranger to use his magic to make a tree produce fruit for them to eat. His attempt fails, destroying the tree...but revealing a meal of insects below. They continue to wander without much progress until Poppy catches up with them and helps them decipher the lyrics to the Walking Song (“This Wandering Day”) as a 'map' encoded in the oral tradition of the Harfoots.
After taking a page from his mother's book and jumping off a cliff into the sea to keep a coveted elven artifact out of the hands of other Elves,3 Elrond seeks out council from "the oldest and wisest" of the elves, Círdan the Shipwright in the Grey Havens. Círdan suggests that Elrond cast the Rings into the water (not into the fire) but finds his heart changed by beholding the rings.
Sauron began the episode at Adar's mercy and his chosen path brings him there once more, as he finds out firsthand that one really does not simply walk into Mordor. "I was in your place once" Adar says to a captured Halbrand, referring to his first meeting with Sauron but also bringing Adar's recent capture and interrogation by Halbrand in Season 1 Episode 6 to mind.
Though the Elves are ready to depart Middle-earth, the episode closes with Círdan counseling them to use the Rings, for "perfection does not exist only in Valinor...Celebrimbor has brought it to Middle-earth." The Rings are distributed, and their magic, in contrast to how The Stranger’s failed with the tree in the desert, restores the Great Tree of Lindon to blazing glory. Light fills the clearing and realm.
The Elves have chosen their path. And Sauron, having convinced Adar to let him go to Eregion, has chosen for his to bring him back to Celebrimbor.
Finding Your Name—“Where The Stars Are Strange”
"No one can give you a name," the Stranger tells Nori after she suggests several possibilities for him. "It is yours already. it is who you are. And when you hear it spoken, you hear your heart glow."
Several characters are searching for a name in "Where the Stars are Strange." Nori and Poppy are literally searching for a name for The Stranger (even using and repeating the word "gand" as a synonym for 'staff' in the next conversation..*wink* Gandalf *wink*). Durin is searching for his identity after being banished from the royal family for his argument with his father. What does it mean to be a "Durin" when one is no longer in line to rule a mighty Dwarven kingdom? But most of all, Celebrimbor is looking to make a name for himself.
Since his introduction in season 1, Celebrimbor has been seeking to step out of his grandfather Fëanor’s significant and complicated shadow. He yearns to be known for his abilities, to make 'Celebrimbor' not just the name of a master craftsman but to grow his legend and name beyond even that of Fëanor himself, whose crowning achievement of the Silmarils he referred to as "petty jewel-craft." Celebrimbor desires to "devise something of real power."4
Sauron comes to him in the guise of his friend Halbrand and before any word comes from Lindon delivers not just news of the success of the Three Rings but also a confession and an offer. The confession? He is not a king, not a Southlander. Not even a mortal (all true). No, he is a messenger from the Valar (not true) searching for “an artist possessing the craft to save all Middle-earth.” He promises that if Celebrimbor only accepts his guidance, his gift of knowledge, that he can "unlock your grandest abilities." He continues, "when our work is complete, never again will the world overlook you as the mere scion of Fëanor, but evermore revere you…the Lord of the Rings."5 An instrumental of "Where The Shadows Lie" plays ominously in the background as we watch this promise and temptation sink deep into Celebrimbor's heart and soul.
Celebrimbor's heart indeed glows hearing the promise of this name for himself, but with ambition and pride, not recognition.
"He deceived me. I was deceived," Galadriel confessed in the previous episode to Elrond about the way Sauron manipulated her. "No Galadriel, you were blind. Blinded by your pride," he counters.
By contrast, humility is "the truest form of sight," Cirdan councils Elrond earlier in the episode.
We watch as Celebrimbor beholds Annatar through the veil of pride, blinded to the dangers, the cost, and ultimately the truth.
True creation requires sacrifice, Celebrimbor told Elrond last season. What he does not see truly, and will not until it is too late, is the hidden cost to the work he is about to undertake and the one to whom the title "The Lord of the Rings" truly belongs.
Reversed Fortunes—“The Eagle and the Scepter”
While presenting to Prince Durin his offer to trade a Ring of Power for each of the dwarven lords in exchange for mithril, Celebrimbor states: "Mithril has reversed our fortunes. I believe it can do the same for yours."
"The Eagle and the Scepter" is all about reversed fortunes. After being cast out by Galadriel, Sauron as Annatar is firmly entrenched in Eregion, working side by side with Celebrimbor and at the same time poisoning his relationship with the elves of Lindon. Durin is presented with the means to restore his relationship with his father, if only he will humble himself and reverse his obstinance. Isildur, presumed dead and left behind, is rescued by Berek, his horse, from Shelob's (yes, that Shelob) lair. Bronwyn, who seemed on the road to recovery, is now dead.6 And the throne of Númenor passes from Tar-Palantir not to his daughter, Míriel, but to Pharazôn.
Míriel’s return to Númenor is not the triumphant homecoming she envisioned. Her father is dead and her people are discontent. One woman even goes so far as to strike her. Míriel shows great compassion and kindness to her, asking who she lost and embracing her as the woman weeps. But this is not the type of strength that many would prefer to see on the throne of Númenor.
Míriel, wearing white to symbolize the past, is to be crowned queen, but her coronation immediately goes awry, as an attendee calls her "Queen of Lies" and Eärien, who has conspired with Pharazôn (dressed in crimson for the future at the coronation), shares an incredibly damaging piece of hidden information: she has discovered and stolen the palantír Míriel used. She reveals it and the crowd erupts into chaos at the use of the Elven artifact. At the last moment an eagle appears, a rare and auspicious sign for a Númenórean coronation.
But where we as viewers are primed by the Battle of the Five Armies in The Hobbit and the Battle of the Black Gate in The Lord of the Rings to expect the arrival of the eagles to herald a eucastrophe that snatches victory from the jaws of defeat, the arrival of this eagle is simply a catastrophe for Míriel and Elendil, sealing the matter decisively in Pharazôn’s favor (with a little help from some good old fashioned plants in the crowd to get some cheering going in his favor).
Fathers take the spotlight in this episode as well: Tar-Palantir's passing threw Númenor into a succession crisis. Adar mobilizes his army and recruits new allies to root out Sauron and protect his children (including Glug, who is a father of his own). Durin and Durin must reconcile to save their realm and people. Elendil grapples with the loss of his son Isildur and the betrayal of his daughter, Eärien. And Arondir tries to be not the step dad but the dad that stepped up...only for Theo to firmly and unequivocally reject him.
By the end of the episode, Númenor has a new ruler ascending the throne. Isildur has made his way to Pelargir, encountering newcomer Estrid before reuniting with Arondir and Theo. And Annatar has assisted Celebrimbor in creating the Dwarven Rings of Power (crucially being present for and even touching the mithril during their creation). The tides have shifted and fortunes are changing. A storm is coming.
Read my review of Season 2, Episode 4 here:
Unfinished Tales
Where I share likes, dislikes, stray observations, quotes, and speculation/theories that didn’t make it into the above
I love the opening credits! I was a fan of how they depicted the Ainulindalë last season and am so excited that they were updated for this season. Some observations I caught: the 19 Rings of Power, the Doors of Durin (both the crown with seven stars and the rest of the design), the Balrog, the crown of Sauron, the eye of Sauron? Or Mount Doom's crater? What am I missing that you saw?
It was a treat to see another version of Sauron in the flashback, but though I thought Jack Lowden did a great job with the short scene he was given, I was also a bit let down by it. Sauron felt a bit like a used car salesman here to me with a bad sales pitch instead of a fearsome right-hand man to the OG Dark Lord. Also, it was implied that Adar rebelled in part because Sauron did tons of experimentation trying to find the power over the Unseen Realm that resulted in the death of many Uruks, but if this scene is all we get, it seems like he rebelled before any of that? Unclear on the timeline and the scene didn't really help much to clarify
Ok, the disembodied writhing crawling mass of Sauron that was more than a little bit reminiscent of the Venom symbiote was creepy. Saw some dub him "Goo-ron" lol.
Halbrand’s “Let my people go” was very Moses-like, though the following “or yours will die” was…not.
I love everything about Ben Daniels’s look and performance as Círdan, but I’m a bit conflicted about his role of being so wise but then having his heart changed by beholding the Rings.
I didn’t even get to touch on the Dark Wizard and his Acolytes in the above analysis or their servants/scouts. But I think I’m still deciding what I think of them. A wizard that is not 1) one of the Istari or 2) Sauron is strange to me. I know that the Witch-king was a powerful evil sorcerer, but I guess I always assumed he became one after falling in with Sauron? And learning from him? Anyone else familiar with other evil wizards/sorcerers in Middle-earth other than the ones that I've mentioned that I’m just not thinking of?
Really appreciated Elrond and Cirdan’s discussion of whether you can enjoy the creation of a flawed creator. “Judge the work, and leave judgement concerning those who wrought it to the judge who sees all things.”
I loved the entire sequence of Halbrand revealing the 'truth' to Celebrimbor about who he really is. They really sold me on how Sauron could still seduce Celebrimbor even with them already having been introduced to each other during Halbrand's first visit.
Is it bad that when Nori and Poppy flew away in the cyclone…I laughed? Lol. I like them enough, but I know it was supposed to land as dramatic and…it didn’t.
Lloyd Owen saying “Please, Berek. Please”…the heartbreak and grief in his eyes was so powerful. Ugggggh. Elendil’s really going through it.
Durin's apology to his father had me tearing up…and his dad's response of "You look terrible" made me laugh aloud.
Anger “is a thirst that can never be slaked…and in the end it will drink you dry.”
Theo's "You're not my REAL dad" is understandable but also predictable. He's never been my favorite character, but him lisening to Isildur talking about his mother's death and crying made me like him a little more, or at least feel bad for him.
I’m so glad Pharazôn didn’t kill the eagle like I feared he might.
Who is excited to meet some ents/entwives?? (It's definitely ents who are attacking the wild men loyal to Adar, right?)
CELEBORN WATCH:
Was Celeborn mentioned in Season 1, Episodes 1-3? no
Was Celeborn IN ROP Season 1, Episodes 1-3? Still no
(I did this each week last year on Twitter and had too much fun with it, so I’m continuing the tradition)
Appendices
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Halbrand immediately faces trouble with this, opting to steal the sigil of the Southlands from Diarmid instead of helping him as their ship is attacked by the sea monster and sinks.
So it really is fate, not some master scheme, that seems to have brought Sauron and Galadriel together.
“In F.A. 538 the remaining sons of Fëanor attacked the Havens of Sirion to reclaim the Silmaril in her possession. They captured Elwing's sons but as they came for her she cast herself into the Great Sea. Through the power of the Vala Ulmo, she took the form of a white bird and came to her husband in his ship Vingilótë with the Silmaril upon her breast.” Tolkien Gateway
Hey that's part of the name of the show!
He said it! He said the thing!
A decision necessitated by Bronwyn actor Nazanin Boniadi choosing not to return after season 1.
So, I also really like all three episodes and think the series is indeed showing improvement over S1, beginning to truly live up to its potential. At the same time, I couldn't help but pay attention to the retconning, small and large, that happened here. There is the off-screen death of Brownwyn, the interesting repositioning of Durin and Disa, who seemed in their final appearances last season plotting to overthrow the King, and of course the situation with Sauron, which I think is very very interesting in terms of the revised backstory and the use of the Annatar name.
I really enjoyed this newsletter! I must admit that I'm looking forward to see the next episodes, so far I'm liking this season more than the previous! The rings are so beautiful!