The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power 2×02: A Stranger Walking in Middle-earth

Finally, there’s an enemy to defeat. This seems to be the maximum of the new season. The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power. Especially after Sauron (Charlie Vickers) revealed himself in all his dark cunning in the first episode. Secondly, when his identity is already obvious, the script uses a disclaimer to draw a map of darkness crisscrossing Middle-earth from one side to the other. Moreover, he puts in place the pieces of the strategic board, which the opponent begins to assemble.

Also, after the beginning seemed impossible to analyze closely about the Stranger (Daniel Weyman), the series returns to his enigmatic figure. Two things are clear about him: he is an Istar – which almost confirms that he is Gandalf – and he does not yet know how to fully use his powers. All of the above is valuable information for the show’s new character. The Dark Wizard, played by Ciarán Hinds, becomes an immediate reference to all forms of evil other than Sauron operating in the area.

One of the most interesting aspects of the new part of Prime Video’s flagship production is its ability to bring a certain tragic pessimism to the story. If the first season covered everything with some kind of almost innocent epic, then the darkness of Sauron covers everything. But beyond the symbolic, The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power He dares to imagine his world beyond the beautiful and the epic, which allows the production to acquire complexity, nuance and the necessary adult tone.

Evil that attacks without respite

Part of that premise is found in the first confrontation between the Stranger, Nori (Markella Kavenagh), and Poppy (Megan Richards) and the Dark Wizard’s minions. We met them last season, and they return again — in the middle of one of this season’s most gorgeous scenes — to attack the struggling group. The Stranger still has no memory of who he is, and it all comes down to dreams that show what looks like a staff — yes, that staff — under the stars. However, the manifestations of their capabilities are few and chaotic.

Which doesn’t stop them from being tracked down their steep path once they’ve been located. So the trio of anonymous mages and the peloso try to escape the threat by crossing the desert, which would also save them time on their way to Rune. However, the maneuver turns out to be extremely clumsy, since it doesn’t They are only threatened by dehydration, but in the end it leads them to meet their enemies.

This once again shows that the Stranger, who has no basic knowledge of his identity or how to use his powers, is much more dangerous than one might assume. While trying to save Nori and Poppy from three creatures chasing him, he manages to summon a sandstorm. Which, of course, defeats them. But since it is a more powerful phenomenon than one might assume, it becomes dangerous for everyone. The series emphasizes that this powerful man’s mission must be completed, which ultimately, It gives the journey meaning, or at least a purpose beyond the almost random excursion.

The people of Valinor must make a decision

It was already clear in the first chapter: the High Elven king Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker) is committed to making more mithril rings. Especially after seeing how effective and direct the metal’s ability to heal the evil that plagues his race is. Despite Galadriel’s (Morfydd Clark) confession that Sauron helped forge hers, the monarch is convinced there is no need to fear. Something that was confirmed with the support of Cirdan de los Puertos Grises (Ben Daniels) and a particularly impressive display of power that concludes the first chapter.

Now, the renewed power provided by the Rings forged by Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) may force the king to make a difficult decision. And certainly one that diminishes Sauron’s real power. Although capturing the corrupted Maiar is a priority, he is convinced that simply attacking Mordor will allow him to defeat him and his minion Adar (Sam Hazeldine). A military move that Galadriel believes only solves half the problem.

Ultimately, the real big problem with all this is that Sauron is using the knowledge gained from the magical jewels for something darker. Which, of course, he will do. Despite this, Gil-galad ultimately decides to send Galandriel with Elrond (Robert Aramayo) to Eregion to warn the forger. After all, according to Cirdan, the work of the jewels may be greater than the darkness that may have surrounded their manufacture. A naive idea that convinces neither the elf nor Elrond.

Sauron finds a third way

Towards the end of the first season episode, Halbrand has temporarily traveled to Eregion in an attempt to contact Celebrimbor. The latter has yet to receive actual notice that his former lieutenant was in fact Sauron. Which gives the latter the slight advantage of arriving early and lying, ensuring that he will enter into communication with Galadriel. But more than that, he uses all his malevolent charm to deepen into the blacksmith’s wounded pride, which ultimately turns out to be a masterstroke.

Finally, Hallbrand changes his form—in two episodes we’ve seen him in three, including his appearance more like a non-human creature—and reveals that his name is Annatar. He also reveals that he came from the immaterial world to help his friend become the Lord of the Rings. Which ultimately leads to him transforming into a man who resembles an elf. In this form, he finally shows his full ability to manipulate the blacksmith’s will and defeat him. Which is what he achieves, at least outwardly.

All darkness in Khazad-dum

While all this is happening in Eregion, things are a little more complicated in Khazad-dum. At the beginning of the chapter, a shadow is shown haunting the kingdom of the dwarves. And this is not just a metaphor, the situation is shown as an earthquake in the depths of the mines. As a result of the incident, the light needed for the inhabitants to grow food is gone, which becomes a problem. serious enough to demand the unity of the people.

But the problem is not so simple that the solution is to “sing to grief” or, even more so, to carry stones. In a subtle turn, The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Powermanages to demonstrate that shadows are shaking Middle-earth. In particular, the place where Mithril lies, which is essential for the survival of the elves. Gradually, and with one of the best solutions, the argument reveals that the danger lies not only in what is shown –This is said in the light of day, but in what is hidden.

By the end of the episode, one thing is clear: the show is moving quickly toward a climactic battle. It’s not entirely clear what that battle will be — the script still has serious pacing issues — but it’s clear that it will see an enemy of the free people of Middle-earth rise up stronger than ever. A simple moment that The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Powerr is manifested in the display of thoughtful resources.