The Rings of Power – The Great Wave Review

As The Rings of Power‘s narrative continues to unspool, I find that I continue to feel much more of a connection to two of the story arcs – namely the Elrond/Prince Durin sections and wherever Galadriel might be living at the moment (her scenes with the Queen Regent Míriel this week were particularly interesting as someone who is always interested in palace intrigue and political maneuvering in fantasy shows) – while I’m finding less to be interested in with Arondir/Bronwyn and the Harfoots. With the Harfoots taking a break this week it meant that the bulk of the episode was particularly compelling – with some key plot points covered over in Numenor and the relationship between Prince Durin and Elrond continuing to show cracks even as the duo give the appearance of being the best of friends. And, over in the Southlands, we met Adar, although we don’t know much more about him than we did before.

Let’s get through the Southlands drama before hitting on what worked especially well this week. Now, I’m not saying that this sector of the story isn’t important – it absolutely is, as we watch Sauron’s reach spread – but so much of it feels like a retread of all we’ve seen in the Lord of the Rings films coupled with the lack of compelling characters in Arondir, Bronwyn, and especially Theo, who is suffering from Annoying TV Teenager Syndrome*. We also know that what Adar is apparently searching for is located “in the tower,” which likely refers to the sword Theo stole from the older farmer (who offered Theo a scary look at his future now that he is marked with the mark of Sauron – all the more reason to avoid stealing things that don’t belong to you, Theo), which could signal some sort of showdown with the Orcs, the sheltering Men of the Southlands, and our two Elves some time in the near future. But, let’s not forget where the people of Numenor are ultimately headed – right into the place where the trouble is brewing (and where Mordor will eventually spring up as Sauron’s stronghold in the Third Age).

*Whenever a series doesn’t know what to do with a teenage character, they simply make them surly as a means to clash against the forces of power around them – usually their parents – and serve as an easy point of conflict when the story needs something low stakes to occur. See Dana Brody in Homeland for one of the most egregious examples of this and see Sally Draper in Mad Men for an example of when a series managed to craft a complex tween/teen who drove the story forward.

Now, all of this key set-up in the Southlands would work a hell of a lot better if the series had taken the time to ground its key characters here beyond “Elf is in love with Woman, who has a bratty son.” If we knew more about Bronwyn or Arondir outside of their forbidden love – and if Theo was crafted as more than a tool to deliver key information about Sauron’s continued reach in the world of Men – this story might feel more layered. As it is, though, we’re not learning anything new about the three characters in this side of the story, and it feels as if the series is simply trying to keep this piece of the Middle Earth game board in play until the calvary arrives for their confrontation with Adar (at which point I’m sure we’ll get a much more complex and interesting explanation for everything).

Now, for the pieces of the story that worked significantly better this go-round. The Elrond/Durin relationship is certainly a slow-burn, as we continue to be told that Durin doesn’t fully trust the Elves and their promise of partnership for their bridge building project. But we haven’t been shown any evidence – at least no clear evidence – that Elrond is the one not to be trusted. Gil-galad and Celebrimbor, on the other hand? Yeah, don’t trust them at all – especially considering what Celebrimbor will end up forging before this series is done. I’m fully content to watch our favorite Elf/Dwarf duo trade stories until the show ends, but I suspect we’re about to get some more information on just what is happening with the Elves – considering Galadriel is on her way back to Gil-galad, who I don’t think will be happy to see her.

Speaking of Galadriel, she definitely isn’t the smoothest negotiator, but she has the Valnar on her side. Nothing like having a sacred tree lose all its leaves as you sail away to make a killer exit. One of the key themes from Lord of the Rings is running through The Rings of Power as well: The weakness and malleability of Men. We saw it with Denethor, Boromir, and Théoden before, and we’re seeing it with the Men of Numenor now. Míriel has foreseen the fall of Numenor (which, spoiler, will happen just like she saw in her vision – although the key cause is already in the hallowed halls and it isn’t an Elf*), but what she doesn’t realize is that it will be the weakness of Man that leads to a literal deal with the devil and the destruction of this beautiful realm. She’s wise to worry, but as we’ve seen in our own history, when strong lands isolate themselves from the destruction of those they were once allied with, it often leads to even more destruction. Her choice to combine forces with the Elves and take on the threat to the Southlands means she is still a strong and principled leader – even if destruction will come to her land in due time through this single decision.

*This, of course, assumes that The Rings of Power will follow the same arc as the fall of Numenor in Tolkien’s writing. The character who allows Sauron to help destroy Numenor has been introduced, although they would need a bit of a promotion to get into position to ensure it happens. It’s entirely possible the series will take a slightly different route to the same end, but either way, Numenor will be a casualty of the coming confrontation with Sauron – as soon as we figure out just who Sauron is at this stage of the game.

So, when the series has provided us enough character development to make a character multi-dimensional, that particular section of the narrative shines. When we’re still waiting to understand just why we should care about a particular character, that part of the story is much less successful. This isn’t a complaint solely with The Rings of Power, rather, it’s just a key element of all storytelling. Since I can’t see the story getting to the point where we’re forging the rings or fighting Sauron in the Southlands this season (those events are likely coming much later in the show’s run, with the battle coming before the rings), the series needs to take the time to develop the characters were going to be spending at least a couple of seasons with. Where they have, the story flows nicely along with the characters in no small part because we actually care about what happens to them. When we care much less, the story feels less pressing and interesting. Hopefully we get some more information about our Southland crew before we need to care too deeply about them. Otherwise, it might be too late.