The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power 2×03: New Alliances

Evil is on the rise in Middle-earth and, worse yet, it will use every resource at its disposal to defeat anyone who tries to oppose it. Episode 3 of the new season of the series The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Powerlooks at the ideal, finally showing what’s going on beyond the stories involving the elves, an interesting choice to explore how the production explores power and alliances. The latter is a recurring theme throughout the episode.

Particularly now that Mordor has become the focal point of the enemies at the end of the first season. Having a point to defeat or flee from has balanced the various plots of the series. Something that was proven in the second chapter with the arrival of Sauron (Charlie Vickers) in Eregion. The latter is already in a place that will allow him to forge new rings of proven power and through them Iinfluence on the leaders of various tribes and races.

But beyond that, darkness – both real and metaphorical – is spreading across the land. War is near, and to better understand its scope, the third chapter of season two asks the right questions. Who will unite to fight a common enemy? How complex will these connections be in the future? The map of Middle-earth is divided between resentments and mutual distrust. The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power does not forget and, in fact, explores intelligently.

From the Elves to the Island of Numenor

As you may recall, the most difficult territory inhabited by men was going through difficult times at the end of the first season of the series. After Queen Regent Miriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) went south to honor an old alliance with the elves, the political situation in her domain became complicated. Especially when the king died, he opened the succession. And this despite the fact that the heir lost her sight in an explosion The creator of Mordor and a good part of his army perished under the weapons of the orcs.

As if that weren’t enough, the people also took sides in the difficult situation. Craftswoman Erien (Ema Horvath), sister of Isildur (Maxim Baldry) and daughter of Elendil (Lloyd Owen), took in all the mourners left in the land, awaiting the return of their loved ones. But what began as anguished lamentations about the fate of those who had turned to evil grew into an ancient collective resentment. Namely, the Queen’s support for Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), This aroused deep resentment on the island of the Children of Valinor.

What the series uses to explore the passage of time and how the kingdom’s inhabitants have forgotten much of their history. As you may recall, the very existence of the territory is tied to the elves. Something that humans now do not acknowledge. Which makes the coronation of a new queen a situation for measuring interests. Not only do they call her “the queen of lies.” At the same time, the Palantir is shown, which for centuries determined the decisions of the authorities.

dark signs

To make matters worse, as the coronation goes from bad to worse, a giant eagle appears, causing panic. It’s a foreshadowing that might have been taken as a way to demonstrate the new queen’s power. But in the midst of the brutal atmosphere, things take a new turn. While the series is using a resource that goes against Tolkien’s official canon, it does so well, with all the consequences that entails. the presence of a mythical creature.

Especially since Mirielle is shaken, and what happens next will ultimately determine her fate. Among the warlike crowd present at the event, those who reject the crown claim that the bird actually marks new paths. Which provokes a series of events. First of all, that Pharazon (Tristan Gravelle) becomes an element of power, being practically a king. What makes Mirielle accept your ascendant. The fate of destruction seems inevitable for the island.

Sauron’s Intrigues

The series, with its goal in mind, explores conflicts and characters better and faster. This makes Prince Durin (Owain Arthur) and Disa’s (Sophia Nomvethe) visit to Eregion more complex than one might expect. Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) has what seems like the perfect suggestion in a time of need. That: make mithril rings to heal the mountain, of course. Which is what he will do as long as he can gain access to the mysterious metal.

This is, of course, a tricky proposition, in which Annatar Vickers has the most weight, and which brings the situation to a dangerous point. Especially since Durin is suspicious – and rightly so – of the vaunted stranger, whom he does not trust for precisely this reason. The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power He knows how to point out that Sauron is a liar, but he also has a quick mind that can weigh his enemy’s mental agility until he finds his weak point. And this time it is Disa who is convinced that the deal is the best, and therefore, the one that best suits his people.

Finally, Annatar pressures Celebrimbor enough to lie to Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker). Which sets up a path that will play out in increasingly difficult situations, especially with Sauron’s need to obtain enough rings. Not only to expand his power, but to know to what extent the leaders against whom he must fight are under the influence of evil.

The Nuances of Mordor

One of the most interesting moments The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Powerit’s his way of dealing with the most human aspects of his being. Something becomes clear in a curious scene. Adar (Sam Hazeldine), now Lord of Mordor, receives a strange request from one of his own. It is to continue living in this terrible region for as long as possible. In this case, the series even hints that the sinister creatures, which Peter Jackson described as nothing more than cannon fodder, even have the capacity for love. Which shows his loyalty and where this plot is heading in perspective. Will there be disobedience in Sauron’s ranks?

At the other end, the southerners gather at Pelargir, a settlement with Numenorean technology that is currently sufficient for the region’s decimated population. The group includes Isildur, who is fleeing a giant spider in a brilliant scene. There’s also Arondir (Ismael Cruz Cordova), who is grieving the loss of Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi) and trying to care for her son Theo (Tyro Muhafidin). without the boy allowing him to get too close.

The most intriguing character of the bunch so far is Estrid (Nia Taul), who looks set to become Isildur’s new love interest. The problem is, he has a mark on the back of his neck that will likely lead him to explore a dark future. Something the series hints at but explains little about by the end of episode three.