Numenor, the island that the Valar gave to the people, reaches the third chapter. Rings of Power, now on Prime Video with a promise: solve the mystery. Or at least show the first signs of what will happen in Middle-earth, besieged by an increasingly powerful enemy. At the same time, it is one of the most anticipated landscapes in the series, emerging from the pages of J. R. R. Tolkien’s work in dazzling splendor.
Every detail is reminiscent of the origin of the gesture of goodwill that the Numenoreans received for their fight against evil. Also a promise that they will break soon. Valinor and the possibility of immortality are perhaps too tempting a fate for a race of mighty men.
Recreation of one of the most emblematic sites of literary Middle-earth is dazzling. The island grandeur of the gift of the gods is filled with light and architecture, the physical reality of which impresses with its solidity.
Again, Amazon Prime makes it clear that Rings of Power This is a project of a magnitude that has been unknown in streaming until now. The surrounding sea opens up in all directions, like a vast territory, free but wild. However, it is also a peace-loving stratum, which so far supports a progressive and advanced culture. “The sea is always right,” insist the sailors, who eventually save the lives of Galadriel and the enigmatic Halbrand.
Rings of Power: A Secret in the Dark
However, not all so simple. The friendship between humans and elves is shattered, and time is running out to further erode the trust between both races. Galadriel is held hostage.and Halbrand is a forced guest due to suspicion.
Regent Queen Tar-Ancalime trusts no one and entrusts one of her people with the care of a lady with hair of silver and gold. Elendil, “friend of the elves”, is the one destined – and never used the term better – to watch over the imprisonment of the native of the Noldor. But what seemed like a punishment for the Numenorean turns out to be a fortunate circumstance for Galadriel, who finds in him an unexpected ally.
A terrible secret revealed
But the worst is yet to come. Galadriel finally finds the meaning of Sauron’s symbol, repeated dozens of times in battle and in her mind. An invasion that he discovers almost by accident thanks to Elendil’s help. A carefully structured plan that announces that the Southlands are only the beginning of an attack by Morgoth’s ally. It is then that the Rings of Power announce what could be their greatest conflict.
Sauron is already actively looking for a way to crystallize his plans and find a way to conquer Middle-earth.. “Place,” explains Galadriel. “The one that allows evil to take over and flourish sooner or later.” For the Elven Lady, the inevitable question is: how long has Sauron been active and what is his face in his slow progress in the midst of darkness?
Rings of Power they are not wasteful in their answers. Not in signs, not in clear points. But one thing is clear: the conflagration against evil has already begun, and much earlier than the ruthless and unstoppable Elven Lady could suspect.
An important character arrives at unusual places in the Ring of Power.
Of course, the most unique moment in the episode is played by Isildur, while still a very young member of the crew of one of the ships of Numenor. There is no sign of a person who will fight evil, and perhaps the dissonance of his appearance breaks a little the solidity of the third chapter, which is much better built on a narrative level than the previous ones. The idea that the survivors of a future Isle of Man tragedy are already part of its history is uncomfortable. for the inconsistency. As much as to interfere with the rhythm of reasoning and how they analyze their internal coherence.
To what extent can Rings of Power force the lines of the Second Age? There is an obvious brevity that tends to summarize entire narratives spanning decades, perhaps centuries. The fluidity of this third chapter’s script is obvious and commendable, but the solidity of the story suffers from decisions that, while unnecessary, are a burden.
The arrival of Elendil, while exciting and heralding the series in a certain direction, also shifts its focus to new places. much more when Numenor begins to show signs of corruption that will lead to disaster.. Does this mean Sauron’s presence is inevitable? At worst, is the rarefied atmosphere already part of an important place for understanding Middle-earth?
The third chapter is a review of old stories of wonder and beauty.
But while the plot of the series takes time to analyze its different stories. He does this with great delicacy and gives enough depth to the contours of the larger conflict. Galadriel, who refused the gift of the Undying Lands, trying to return to Middle-earth in search of evil. Halbrand, her mysterious companion, follows her. Whether due to survival instinct or something else, the sole survivor of the perilous journey through Belegaer remains unrevealed.
Which makes it even harder for the Elven Lady to trust him. Although in this third episode, he has no other choice. Trapped on the mythical island of Numenor, Galadriel must accept this. in the battle with Sauron he will need allies. Not like among the representatives of his race, who ignored his calls for help. Not among people besieged by darkness. It seems that traveling west is much more than just a stopover along the way. It is also a way for the warrior elf to understand the chaos that he will sooner or later face in his heroic deed.
Pains of darkness and traces of horror
Arondir, kidnapped by orcs, finds himself in the middle of an unthinkable situation in this third chapter. Creatures spawned by evil have built an enclave underground to protect them from sunlight.. Its prisoners are also slaves fighting for a larger project. “We serve Adar,” says one of the hideous kidnappers. He does so with a reverent adoration that makes it clear to the wood elf that he is the leader, or at least the figurehead of the horror.
At this point in this third chapter, there is little that the elves can do, who have guarded the vantage point, imprisoned, abused and even killed by the servants of evil. Arondir tries to save his life and the life of his family. Nonetheless, the cruelty of the enclave is so cruel and painful that it requires sacrifice. Death is part of the opportunity, even for the children of Valinor. In the midst of horror, Arondir decides to betray his oaths and instincts. A painful scene showing the cruelty of the elves, as well as the supreme torment that crushes any attempt at rebellion.
Again, Rings of Power plays with the perception of good and evil as symbolic extremes of light and shadow. That’s for sure, one of the strongest moments of the third chapter, full of little hints of the Second Age. In particular, the agonizing search for a way to escape the torment in the orc camp. But now an elf warrior must kill – his principles, his pain – in order to live. A decisive decision that could possibly change him forever.
A small creature with a big secret in The Rings of Power
Nori, a little hairy girl who stumbles upon a mysterious visitor, continues her quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding the visitor. But neither the star map he drew in an attempt to communicate nor his inexplicable abilities offer any clues to his identity. In fact the argument continues without giving any trace other than the obvious: the bearded man does not belong to the middle earth. For Nori, this question is inevitable. What are we talking about? A question that needs to be addressed as it becomes increasingly clear that his fall into the fire is neither accidental nor an unexplained accident.
Hairy, with the innocence of creatures who love the earth and move on it with great confidence, do not suspect any evil. It is much less to fully understand the meaning of this stranger, who represents inexplicable powers and signs. What hides their desperate desire to communicate? For Nori, her father, and her people, the mystery extends into the darkness of the forest. With every step it becomes more and more dangerous.
Direwolf Attack and Final Horror
Finally, in this third chapter, a group of elves trapped by the orcs, including Arondir, manage to make an escape attempt. May be, so far the most bloody and brutal scene in the series, as well as the most painful. But it is also the most important thing in the chapter. For after he was overwhelmed by violence and pain, Arondir was overwhelmed by the raging hosts of darkness. “You should take this to Adar.”
It’s not a threat. The elusive villain, the creature at the center of evil in Rings of Power, appears a second before the end of this third chapter. The secret of his identity remains hidden for now and may soon be revealed.
