This week’s installment of Rings of Power felt a tad overstuffed – even if it desperately needed to hit on all those plot points and locales in an attempt to draw the various storyline threads together as the series approaches the end of the season. And while that’s not necessarily a bad thing from a story perspective, it does highlight once again which storylines are hitting on all cylinders and which ones still feel thin, even this far into the season.
The least compelling – largely because the story seems stuck in neutral compared to other corners of the tale – is the political machinations over in Númenor. Sure, we need this piece of the story in order to get us to key points of the story to come (our key players here do have key roles in future plot points, so we need to understand how they get where they’re headed), but oof. It feels like we’ve been watching Pharazôn’s coup slowly take shape the entire season without a clear sign that he was going to take control of the government once and for all. Yes, we had the Kemen-led attacks last week, which were particularly chilling, but I can’t help but want to see just where this is all leading. And this week, we get more delay in a final decision, with Míriel opting to take Elendil’s place in the trial by sea monster, proving her innocence and worth as a future queen – something that flies in the face of everything that Pharazôn has been working toward. So, we’re destined for even more clashes here before a victor emerges, hopefully by the end of the season.
And then there’s Nori and the Stoor, who don’t want to run away from the men on horseback at their gates – and, really, I don’t blame them. Nori and Poppy have brought danger to their doorstep, and they are still willing to hide and help them – again, proving how lovely they are. Oh, and Poppy and Nobody have apparently found a love connection – aw, how sweet. Perhaps this blending of Harfoot and Stoor marks the true origins of the Hobbits? Either way, unless The Stranger can succeed on his quest, I’m not sure any of the little folk have a chance to survive the current assault on their home.
As for The Stranger, well, he’s off on a quest for his staff. And Tom Bombadil is talking in riddles a la Yoda and not offering a ton of guidance in solving the questions our nameless wizard has in the process. But The Stranger does know that Nori is in trouble and he needs to complete his mission fast in order to save her – even if Tom warns that this isn’t a time-sensetive mission. Rather, it will happen when it happens, even if it means Nori will perish in his delay. So, no pressure or anything, buddy.
But these side quests – which don’t directly impact our central storyline of stopping Arondir/Sauron before he takes over all of Middle Earth – feel inconsequential to those that deal with Sauron’s actions directly. The Dwarves are in serious trouble – King Durin is heavily influenced by the ring and has no desire to take it off, which is terrifying to his son who is still seeing things clearly and doesn’t like what he’s seeing. Adar and Galadriel can’t see a path to work together to stop Sauron, largely because they can’t trust each other. And, really, I get it. The Orcs won’t want to work with the Elves and the Elves aren’t about to let the Orcs live if they can help it. The continued threat each pose to one another is too great. Which plays exactly into Sauron’s hands. His ability to sew discord and distrust is crucial to his gaining power wherever he goes. Including Eregion.
And then there’s Celebrimbor. Oh boy. He’s desperate to solve the question of the rings for Men, yet can’t seem to crack the code. And he’s lost the support of his staff – even if he can’t see it. And speaking of not seeing, he also can’t see that he’s also lost all of Eregion. Because Sauron has convinced the Elves that Celebrimbor has gotten so focused on his quest to craft the rings that he no longer cares about their protection. And the Orcs are beating on the gates and storming the city. But, to Celebrimbor, all is safe and the sun is shining – because Sauron is the master of making others believe what he wants them to believe. Of promising them all they ever wanted to have, only to shatter that dream and twist it into something dark and dreary and painful. Will help come to Eregion or is it destined to fall due to Sauron’s actions? We shall see.
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