Spoilers
The Rings of Energy’s second season is now concluded and it’s protected to say it was an total enchancment over season one. That stated, the present was wildly inconsistent and a few episodes actually suffered from this because of this. However the season’s finale was significantly better than the first season’s rushed finale and set issues up for giant issues to return whereas having some nice moments in its personal proper.
As an alternative of plunging proper again into the Siege of Eregion, we as an alternative begin the episode with the Khazad-dûm storyline, with Durin III delving too deep into the mountain and his son, Durin IV, sizzling on his tail to attempt to cease him by any means essential. The dwarven storyline is commonly a powerful level of the present and this was no exception, was Durin IV went down the mountain to kill his personal father if the second known as for it, however within the second, knew he couldn’t do it. His father, mining into the mountain, is total happy with his son, however refuses to cease digging and finds an enormous Mithril deposit deep in a cavern. The second of awe is shortlived nonetheless, because the Balrog which can at some point be often called Durin’s Bane (the identical one from Fellowship), emerges and in a second of defiant self-sacrifice, Durin III removes the Ring and tries to cease the fiery demon. The conflict kills him, however seals the Balrog behind the mountain, defending the Kingdom in the interim. Durin III verbally declares his son the brand new King, however as we be taught later within the episode, this succession is being contested and challenged, so the query of whether or not he’ll should develop into a Ringbearer hangs over the plotline heading into the subsequent season, one thing that will check his marriage to Disa (one of many higher authentic characters on this present, I would remind you).
After the opening credit roll, we return to The Stranger and Harfoots arc and I actually really feel like there was a scene lacking right here. The final we noticed of The Stranger, he was looking at a forest of timber looking for his employees, however we jarringly minimize to him confronting the Darkish Wizard on the Stoors’ house. The Darkish Wizard acknowledges his previous good friend and makes a plea that the 2 of them be a part of forces, to which The Stranger refuses, opting to selected friendship over energy and thus, tieing into Tom Bombadil’s little riddle. Whereas that’s all enjoyable and hundy dorky, the Stoors’ later bid their tall large farewell with the moniker “Grand Elf”, which, sure, you guessed it, results in The Stranger calling himself Gandalf. I need to admit, I rolled my eyes fairly exhausting. First, “Grand Elf” was simply unhealthy writing, as if the writers have been going “get it, get it??” to the viewers. Secondly, Gandalf has no enterprise being on this story, as he doesn’t come to Center-earth till the Third Age, whereas this present takes place within the Second Age. That is particularly annoying understanding there are two completely accessible wizards on this a part of the world within the Second Age which have by no means been depicted in live-action, the 2 Blue Wizards, and we might’ve had the identical story informed with out needlessly messing with the story. Gandalf’s inclusion, whereas not shocking, feels prefer it was written for the viewers to go “hey he’s from The Lord of the Rings!” however contemplating it took two seasons to get up to now, I don’t perceive why they took so lengthy to disclose this data to the viewers. Nori and the opposite halfings have separated from Gandalf, for now, to be on their very own path, so I’ve to marvel in the event that they’ve been written out of the present (reasonably unceremoniously), which might be to the present’s power I feel going ahead, as that plotline does bathroom the present down.
We get a short setup for issues to return in Númenor, which might be an enormous storyline going ahead. After gazing into the palantír, Ar-Pharazôn reveals to the Trustworthy that Halbrand was Sauron and accuses Míriel of being aware about this data, making her (and the Trustworthy at giant), traitors. Everyone seems to be rounded up, however Eärien sneaks away and warns her father to flee, which he does with Narsil in his custody looking for the Trustworthy hideout within the West and attempt to reclaim his honour and title.
Again in Eregion, Sauron finally ends up killing Celebrimbor and as soon as once more, I need to say that even together with his temporary display time this week, Charles Edwards crushed it because the elven smith. Even when going through loss of life within the face, he’s defiant and refers to Sauron as being a servant to the rings, versus the opposite approach round. Sauron seeks out Galadriel then, not earlier than swaying the disenfranchised orcs to his trigger, and after a duel that did really feel like a waste of time (we all know each survive in spite of everything), he claims the 9 for himself. In an try to avoid wasting Nenya, Galadriel throws herself off a cliff and I truthfully have zero thought how she survived contemplating she wasn’t sporting her Ring. I might purchase her residing with it on, however off? From that top? Huh?
The elves in the end retreat from Eregion and discover themselves as refugees in a fascinating piece of wilderness subsequent to a river. Tolkien followers understand it, however that is the founding second of Rivendell, which can come into play in later seasons as a hidden stronghold for the elves. I’m curious as to only how comparable it would look to the Jackson movies, as to date the places within the present have been distinctive places not seen within the movies. However the Balrog and Narsil designs are near-identical to their cinematic counterparts, so I might think about that Rivendell will look fairly acquainted.
Season two of Rings of Energy labored greatest when it centered in on the elves and dwarves, each tied collectively by Sauron and his manipulations. It’s right here the place the writing was strongest and the place the story was most participating. However the present felt prefer it needed to showcase a lot greater than this already stable basis and season two, whereas total an enormous enchancment over season two, was held again from being nice attributable to uninteresting subplots that includes not solely Gandalf, however Theo and Isildur as nicely, who’re lacking for half the season attributable to their seemingly irrelevance this season. If the writers can’t discover a higher hook for these subplots, I feel it’s greatest to trim the fats and give attention to what’s working, reasonably than attempting to be a jack of all trades, grasp of none sort of present. Rings of Energy, naturally, continues to be a powerhouse by way of technical prowess, showcasing nice units, VFX, an enormous enchancment within the costume division over final season, and naturally, Bear McCreary’s rating.
In the long run, I’m glad that the present was displaying indicators of enchancment and seeing as how the manufacturing doesn’t should move continents this time round, I hope the writers are given ample time to take the suggestions and criticisms of the season and apply it to season three. As a result of when it really works, The Rings of Energy is a enjoyable watch. It’s simply held again by the burden of its personal ambitions.