Rings Of Power’ Season 2, Episode 5 Recap: In Season 2, Episode 5 of The Rings Of Power, viewers are halfway through the season, and the journey through Middle-earth continues to be a confusing experience. Despite being a bit better than the previous episode, this one still struggles with its messy storytelling. Here’s a simple recap and review of the episode.
Three Main Stories and One Small Glimpse
This episode mainly focuses on three storylines, leaving out some key plotlines from earlier episodes. The Harfoots, Stranger, and Dark Wizard storylines are missing, as well as the subplot involving Arondir and Isildur.
Elrond and Gil-Galad’s Brief Encounter
Elrond makes a short appearance to warn High King Gil-Galad about the approaching threat of Adar and his army. Gil-Galad, however, is not convinced. He believes that Sauron is behind the trouble and remains skeptical of Elrond’s warnings.
Galadriel’s Captivity and Strategy
Galadriel finds herself in captivity among orcs. She has a tense exchange with Adar, where she pulls a tiny dagger from her hair and takes him hostage. Adar reveals that he did not bring her as a prisoner but as a potential ally against Sauron. The phrase “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” is highlighted here.
Celebrimbor and the Elves
The episode shifts to Eregion, where Celebrimbor and the dwarves are working together. A notable Easter egg appears in this segment: the door with the riddle “Speak friend and enter,” which fans of The Lord of the Rings will recognize. This door is part of the celebration of the elven-dwarven collaboration.
Annatar, who is secretly Sauron, is displeased with the growing alliance. He manipulates Celebrimbor, who is struggling with the idea of creating more rings. Celebrimbor falsely informs Gil-Galad that he has stopped making rings, while Annatar insists on continuing his work.
Problems with the Ring-making Timeline
The episode’s handling of the ring-making timeline is problematic. In the lore, Celebrimbor crafts the lesser rings first before making the three Elven rings. The show, however, seems to have mixed up the order, leading to confusion. This misstep affects the storyline’s flow and coherence.
Dwarves and the Mysterious Ring
The dwarves face troubles in Khazad-dum. Durin the Younger and his wife, Disa, notice that the dwarven ring is causing problems. The storyline feels rushed and the ring’s influence is not well-developed. The dwarves, known for their engineering skills, are shown struggling with collapsed tunnels, which seems unrealistic.
Númenor’s Troubling Depiction
Númenor’s depiction continues to disappoint. The city, supposed to be grand and advanced, feels small and its inhabitants petty. Elendil appears as a minor leader, and Al-Pharazon is portrayed as a power-hungry bigot, which does not align with his impressive role in Tolkien’s works.
The Unfortunate Temple Scene
In Númenor, a conflict arises over the destruction of a temple to build an aqueduct. The scene is overly dramatic and predictable, with the predictable death of Valandil, Elendil’s friend. This part of the storyline feels clichéd and lacks originality.
Looking Ahead
The episode ends with a hint of a major battle coming in Eregion. It is strange that Adar and his orcs are attacking instead of Sauron, who is expected to play a more significant role in the events.
Overall, Episode 5 of The Rings Of Power continues to struggle with its jumbled plotlines and inconsistencies. While some elements are enjoyable, the episode leaves much to be desired in terms of coherence and adherence to Tolkien’s lore. As the season progresses, fans hope for a more polished and faithful representation of Middle-earth.
