Please note that this entry & video includes major spoilers for episode five of season two!

Storylines appearing in this episode: Eregion, Khazad-dûm, Númenor, as well as some moments in Lindon and the woods outside of Eregion where the Elves and Orcs are preparing for battle. This episode, we were given a much-appreciated reprieve from the deserts of Rhûn and the mud of Pelargir.

So let’s recap, beginning with what might be the strongest plotline this season: Khazad-dûm.

Khazad-dûm: Seven for the Dwarf Lords

In the first moments of this episode, there is a gorgeous transition between a shot of the Misty Mountains and the gem of one of the Dwarven rings. We can see that they’ve been delivered to Khazad-dûm and now Durin III stands before them. The Rings seem to be whispering as Durin III picks up a Ring and places it on his finger.

We then find ourselves in the mines where dwarves are digging new shafts in order to reach the sunlight. Durin III is guided by his ring, saying to his son, “All is shortly to be well.” Because of the Ring he is able to “see” the mountain and point out where to dig, and soon the sunlight is restored to Moria.

Peter Mullan (Durin III) brings the standout performance of this episode, which is high praise as this episode is one of the best of the series so far. His dialogue is so well written and delivered.

As the Ring provides the answers to their problems, soon a change in the King’s behavior is noticed by his son who seeks counsel from Celebrimbor concerning the Rings. The King gathers emissaries of the 7 Dwarven realms to introduce the rings, which he will not give freely but rather demand tribute for. He also forsakes his old wisdom and directs the miners to delve deeper. Durin III also has a moment where he has taken off the Ring and accuses Narvi of stealing it; Narvi replies, “You took it off… you said your arm was feeling heavy.”

“Stone-singers speak of hearing the mountain. With this ring, I can see it.” - Durin III

In a slightly comical scene, Disa discovers a hidden cavern where it would seem that she hears the mountain groaning or… perhaps, growling? Clearly she’s about to discover the Balrog. Durin IV continually warns his father about the Ring but his pleas fall on deaf ears; Disa makes Durin IV swear that he will never wear one of the Rings.

Eregion: Nine for Mortal Men

In Eregion, the forging of the seven has been completed and the Doors of Durin forged (disappointingly, off-screen).

The relationship between Annatar and Celebrimbor has been described as “domestic” in the press leading up to this season and it was in this episode where we finally begin to see that coming into play. Annatar seems jealous of the friendship between Celebrimbor and Narvi, and the two bicker constantly and there is clearly a lot of tension beneath the surface.

Annatar is not satisfied with the forging of the seven, but now insists that nine more rings must be made to be given to the race of Men. In these conversations, Annatar makes enough references to the Silmarillion to make me forget nearly any issues I may have had with this series in terms of the lore… name-dropping Earendil, Tuor, and Beren all in the same sentence. Eventually, Celebrimbor refuses to make rings for men so Annatar responds that he will simply do it himself.

There are also several hints towards where the series may take Sauron’s character in the coming seasons. Annatar pleads with Celebrimbor on behalf of Men, who suffer most under the reign of Mordor. I am hoping they are setting him up as Sauron, Lord of Men, who will later challenge Pharazôn’s authority. He also has some interesting dialogue about Númenor, which was a wonderful characterization: “I fear Númenor more than any land in Middle-earth.”

The Emissary and the Apprentice

In what I’ve found the most interesting original subplots of this episode, we see that Annatar has taken a shine to Celebrimbor’s apprentice Mirdania, who bears a striking resemblance to Galadriel.

In a rather ridiculous scene in which it at first appears the forge is… haunted?, we then learn that Mirdania has tested one of the new Rings and unwittingly entered into the unseen world. Despite the initial silliness of this scene, Mirdania’s description of her experience in the unseen world redeems the moment as she describes what - and who - she has seen:

“I was in a place, like this, but shrouded in mist and darkness and I saw… At first I thought it was the forge burning, but it wasn’t. It was tall and its skin was made of flames. It came toward me breathing, reeking of death and I saw its eyes: pitiless and eternal. I think it’s been here… I think it’s been here among us all along.” - Mirdania

After this frightening experience, Annatar consoles Mirdania. He tells her that the terrifying figure she saw is truly Celebrimbor, saying that his spirit is diminished and vulnerable to the shadow. There is then a moment where he mentions Galadriel, and touches her hair.

“When the light caught your hair, for a moment you seemed her perfect likeness… why Lady Galadriel’s of course.”

Seeds of Doubt and Deception

Durin IV arrives in Eregion to take counsel with Celebrimbor about how his father is being affected by the Ring, which plants some seeds of doubt in Celebrimbor’s mind.

“How much do you really know about this Annatar?” - Durin IV

Later Celebrimbor brings the matter to Annatar, who reveals that the Rings may be “tainted” because of Celebrimbor’s deceit in his letter to Gil-galad. Annatar presents him with what appears to be an ultimatum: confess to Gil-galad or to proceed with the forging of nine rings for men.

Celebrimbor initially refuses to make more rings but at last concedes, and begins to become harsh with the smiths under his direction. We see a sad moment with Celebrimbor where he is beginning to lose it, his hands are shaking and he is overwhelmed.

Númenor: The Rise of the Kingsmen

We return to Númenor to see Pharazôn has taken the scepter, and is speaking to his son Kemen about Eressea. He is jealous of the elves, and resents them for the gift of their immortality and bliss. Pharazôn tells his son of a prophecy that he would come to “ill ends”, and threatens him. The Palantir has been taken away and locked up, but we see Pharazôn approach it with the intention of using it.

“The age of Men is upon us…” - Kemen

We then see a moment shared between Elendil where he consoles Míriel, assuring her that the Sea Guard still remains loyal to her and encouraging her to fight. Instead, Míriel commands Elendil to remain calm. The persecution of the Faithful in Númenor begins to move at a faster pace: first, the members of the Sea Guard are stripped of their rank for their loyalty to the Queen. Elendil willingly joins them in resigning, which provokes more loyalty from the soldiers but anger from Kemen. Earien has fully turned her back on her father, though she believes it is him who has turned his back on her.

“How do you think this ends?” - Kemen

Later, a ritual of the faithful is being performed for their dead where they release candles into the water and ask the Valar for prayers (I’m assuming they are petitioning Nienna due to the appearance of a relic of a weeping woman). The ritual is broken up and the Faithful are forced to abandon the area, as Kemen breaks the relic.

A fight breaks out, during which Kemen attempts to drown Valandil and ultimately kills him by stabbing him in the back. Elendil is then blamed for the violence and arrested.

Elves & Orcs: Preparing for Battle

We spend a few moments in Lindon in this episode, where first Gil-galad is reading the letter from Celebrimbor and then later is advised to march against Adar instead of worrying about Eregion. The Ring gives him a vision in which he sees: rocks and dust; fish dying on dry land; Sauron in full armor walking through flames; orcs.

Elrond arrives in Lindon and tries to warn Gil-galad, but his counsel is not heeded.

“Our armies cannot defeat both Adar and Sauron, not alone.” - Gil-galad

In the forests surrounding Eregion, the orcs are gathering near and building their orc camps. Galadriel arrives at the camp in a cage, but is released and taken by Adar who speaks to her of a common enemy.

Episode Five Thoughts:

This is definitely the best episode of the season so far, which was much appreciated after episode four. Halfway through this episode I wrote down in my notes: “This episode is so good I’m scared it’s going to end soon.”
There were so many little nods to the Silmarillion in this episode that my little nerd heart was so happy.
I so appreciated being able to focus on Eregion and Khazad-dûm, which are two of the strongest storylines in the series. Returning to the turmoil of Númenor was also very enjoyable, despite how painful the story itself is. The death of Valandil came as such a surprise and was very emotionally devastating. But I imagine it’s only a taste of what is to come for the Faithful. Elendil’s vision from the Palantir was a great moment, even though it felt like a very clear callback to the Jackson films where Arwen sees a vision of Aragorn in the future. It was a very haunting moment and great foreshadowing.
I was disappointed that the dwarven Rings and the Doors of Durin were made off-screen.
Another highlight of the episode was the music, as I feel like Bear McCreary’s score really elevates the show in so many ways.
In Eregion, we can see that Celebrimbor is beginning to break, which is tragic. I’m afraid of how hard the rest of the season will be to watch as a Brimby fan.
If we were so over after episode four, I’m thinking we’re so back after episode five.