By Ben Wright (@iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review contains spoilers.
After the action-packed episode last week, it is time to reset and regain our composure once more, as it is not just events in the Southlands that are going to have a lasting effect on Middle-Earth…
We start this week’s episode with the aftermath of the creation of Mount Doom. From the muffled echoing audio to the red, burning light of the ash-covered visuals… death and destruction have laine waste to the village and the wider surrounding area of the Southlands. Isildur manages to free Valandil from underneath a burning wagon, but he is not able to save all of his friends, as Ontamo lies motionless by his side – yet another victim, of which there are many. Firstly, I am happy that they started this week’s episode following straight on from last week. Some shows would skip to another story and save any sort of continuation until the end. I also thought the level of death and destruction felt very real, which only intensified the opening of the episode. I found the pairing of Theo and Galadriel rather interesting, although it has sparked a few conspiracy theories in regard to Theo’s future – I will keep my council for now. With the Queen’s eyesight all but gone, Isildur thought lost and the ‘King of the Southlands’ already without a kingdom, our heroes have taken one hell of a beating.
The destruction, as previously mentioned, has spread far and wide, including to the Grove, where the Harfoots have had to halt their migration – they too have lost their kin in the devastating eruption. They push Nori to get the stranger to use his ‘powers’, like he did against the wolves, to aid them in their current predicament. I loved how Poppy was the one to stand up and have Nori’s back, something she did multiple times during the episode – everyone needs a friend like Poppy Proudfellow! The Stranger, who is emotionally affected by the burned trees, whispers to them. I liked how Sadoc mentioned that some trees could talk, hinting at the Ents. Despite his best efforts to try to restore the tree, he just ended up making the Harfoots fear him more, as there always appears to be a negative cost whenever he tries to use his magic. It was upsetting, not only that it forced the Stranger to depart on his own, but for also for Nori to question all of her ‘non-Harfoot’ traits, such as the wonder and desire to take in more of the world. Seeing her stepping back and becoming more insular was painful.
The Elves and Dwarves are unaware of the chaos that has awoken in the Southlands, but with the current plight of the Elves, you can forgive them for being distracted. Elrond beautifully pleads his case for his people with King Durin. Robert Aramayo was a sensation here; you could see the emotion deep within his eyes. With the burden of knowledge, we, as an audience, know that King Durin’s reasoning is sound and so puts us in a tricky situation. We want a positive outcome for the likes of Elrond, Prince Durin and Disa, however, we know what the cost will be. Being able to feel the conflict and turmoil that the characters were going through was a credit to the writing. Nevertheless, Elrond and Durin broke my heart in this scene. Thankfully, the pain did not endure for too long and after witnessing the power of the Mithril, the pair continued to push on, even if the outcome was the breakdown of his relationship with his father. Also, the way Disa counselled and shepherded Durin, I’m half thinking she might be Sauron now!
The Grove flourishing, the wagons demolished – Durin standing up for his friend, Durin de-throned as heir – The Queen aiding her people to safety but losing her sight in the process… this was an episode packed full of trade-offs. This was like magic you’d see in The Witcher… there has to be a price for every action. As an audience, we also journeyed with these characters in such a rollercoaster way. The highs were brilliant, and the lows were heartbreaking. I genuinely felt exhausted by the end of the episode.
Despite a tease of the Balrog and the brilliant text transition from Southlands to Mordor, the biggest shock of the episode was Malva Meadowgrass admitting she was wrong… “What’s the good of livin’… if we aren’t livin’ good” – What an incredible line and something I try to live by myself.
Week after week, I am emotionally drained after watching The Rings of Power. I feel genuine pain during the highly emotional beats and there hasn’t been an episode yet where my eyes were not teary-eyed. Yet my heart can be overflowing with joy and hope at the same time – such is the phenomenal writing and performances within the show. I have fallen under the spell of The Rings of Power, and I am its willing servant… Next week is the series finale and I do not want this experience to end!
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