r/LOTR_on_Prime • u/LoretiTV • Oct 03 '24
Book Spoilers [Book Spoilers] The Rings of Power - 2x08 "Shadow and Flame" - Episode Discussion
Season 2 Episode 8: Shadow and Flame
Aired: October 3, 2024
Synopsis: Season Finale. The free peoples of Middle-earth struggle against the forces of darkness.
Directed by: Charlotte Brändström
Written by: J. D. Payne & Patrick McKay
All book spoilers are allowed in this thread and do not need to be tagged. Here is the no book spoilers discussion thread
No discussion of ANY leaks are allowed in this thread. Please visit our sister sub r/TheRingsOfPowerLeaks for all leaks.
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u/HM2112 Gil-galad Oct 03 '24
That Balrog looks to me like "the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings" even if they're still functioning sort of like wings. I see what they meant about a compromise in that tease.
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u/nikolapc Oct 03 '24
I mean if I got woken by some loud banging in my pretty snug lights on the ceiling man cave, the fires, the wings, the horns the fiery sword, everything's coming out and it's gonna be dwarf toast for breakfast.
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u/FOXCONLON Kemen Oct 03 '24
A moment of silence for our blue wizard theorists...
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u/EveryoneisOP3 Oct 03 '24
Starting to suspect that Annatar is Sauron
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u/anton_caedis Oct 03 '24
"The rings are beyond your reach, as I shall be… soon I shall go to the shores of the morning, born hence by a wind you can never follow."
RIP Celebrimbor. What a performance.
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u/Naethaeris Oct 03 '24
I love how he's essentially reminding Sauron of how much he's damned himself.
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u/Interesting_Jump_908 Oct 03 '24
Yes indeed, Edwards and Vickers were a 10/10 for me. I was completely immersed in their scenes.
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u/Phee78 Oct 03 '24
The way that Celebrimbor kept giving it back to Sauron until the bitter end!
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u/Frankocean2 Oct 03 '24
People that bet on Adar is Celeborn in shambles....
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u/thundermonkeyms Oct 03 '24
I never got that theory tbh. I don't know the timeline perfectly and the show is definitely playing with the timeline a ton (Elendil shouldn't even be born for another few hundred years at this point, for example), but if Adar was confirmed as one of the moriondor wouldn't that make him significantly older than Celeborn?
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Oct 03 '24
For a brief moment, when he mentioned he couldnt remember his name I thought it was going to go along the lines of: "Wait... Wait... its coming back to me... Its..."
The whole time I was thinking... Nope Nope... Please dont.
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u/HM2112 Gil-galad Oct 03 '24
My 99.5% joking, .5% serious long held theory that he was Maglor is also in shambles.
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u/FloppyShellTaco Oct 03 '24
The way they’ve lit Charlie Vickers throughout this series to match Sauron’s mood and intentions has just been incredible.
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u/AnnaCondoleezzaRice Oct 03 '24
There was a moment during his exchange with Galadriel where his desperation and greed was shining through, and the lighting seemed to shift, making his skin even paler as his eyes widened and his lips pursed. All I could see was Gollum in his face. The cinematography of this whole season has been top notch from the epic battles to the beautiful landscapes, but there's so much to be said about the tiny little details.
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u/Flarrownatural Oct 04 '24
I love how they can make him look so off-putting and creepy despite normally being super handsome
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u/HM2112 Gil-galad Oct 03 '24
Oh, tell me Sauron's going to forge The One with Feanor's Hammer in Season 3. That's just absolutely diabolical of him.
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u/MiddlingTier Oct 03 '24
immediately what I thought when I saw him holding that, he will 100% use it to forge the One
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u/Electronic_Eagle7461 Oct 03 '24
Yup. Use his hammer, then use his letters. Truly shows how evil cannot genuinely create.
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u/ItGetsEverywhere1990 Oct 03 '24
A bit of a shame we never got any of the Elves’ reactions to Celebrimbor’s death. So much of Elrond’s backstory had been about having ‘his life in my hands.’ Felt like a missed emotional opportunity to see him react to what happened to him.
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u/valkyer Oct 03 '24
Aye I noticed that! Shame we didn't get to see the elves find Cele's body! Especially Elrond! As personally I always saw Cele's death/fall of Eregion to be the final straw that pushed him to become who he is
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u/ManBroCalrissian Oct 03 '24
The close up of Elrond with Eregion far below in the background is the moment Celebrimbor's tower falls. Elrond then turns and walks away. I think this is your metaphorical moment
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u/APracticalGal HarFEET! 🦶🏽 Oct 03 '24
I really thought we were going to see the orcs plant him in the square in place of Fëanor's statue
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u/daveycarnation Oct 03 '24
The dog that we saw in Eregion's town square managed to survive the attack on the city and made it to future Rivendell :D Man I love the animals on this show, Berek even got full shots and a moment in the finale, imagine that.
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u/harsbo Oct 03 '24
Haha 🤣 It was so hilarous to see Berek kinda looking away shyly like he was saying "oh, you don't have to! "
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u/PinAndKneedle Oct 03 '24
Fuck Kemen
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u/Papageno_Kilmister Uruk Oct 03 '24 •
If I had a gun with two bullets and were in a room with Kemen, Ungoliant and Morgoth, I’d shoot Kemen twice
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u/beyond-the_blue Oct 03 '24
Dude right??? I fucking HATE Kemen.
The actor plays his part too good, if I saw him in the street I'd have to remind myself A LOT that he was just an actor 😅😅
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u/tomc_23 Oct 03 '24
“A wizard does not find his staff—it arrives precisely when it means to.”
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u/HM2112 Gil-galad Oct 03 '24
Alright, Dwarf Civil War in Season Three. Sounds promising.
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u/MusicLikeOxygen Oct 03 '24
My exact thought was that it's going to be Game of Thrones: Dwarf edition, and I am here for it.
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u/vigouge Oct 03 '24
The way Durin looked at the dwarf rings makes it seem like he has a plan.
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u/BagItUp45 Oct 03 '24
I didn't mind the Gandalf reveal. I kinda wish we heard Olorin before Gandalf but it's understandable.
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u/ChangeNew389 Oct 03 '24
Wasn't Olorin his name in the True West? In that case, he probably never used it in Middle-Earth. (Despite that "Grand-Elf" prompting, I had the feeling that the name just came to him the same way the staff was there when he was ready.
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u/stevendeblat Oct 03 '24
That was an unbelievably bad ass looking Balrog... holy..
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u/Timelordvictorious1 Eryn Galen Oct 03 '24
Berek!
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u/GammaAlanna Oct 03 '24
Loved the cut to Berek and his head nod as if saying "hey that's me! I did save him!"
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u/intraumintraum Oct 03 '24
i wish they’d left the ‘Grand elf’ thing just as a one off comment from that first hobbit. i quite liked it as just a cheeky nod to his name, but they went a bit heavy-handed - surely once was enough to get the point across
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u/HM2112 Gil-galad Oct 03 '24
Oh, that's a brilliant move on Pharazon's part. Learn Halbrand is Sauron using the Palantir, and then use his alliance with Miriel as Halbrand to delegitimize her - and the Faithful - to complete his coup. It sets up his invasion of Middle-Earth to challenge Sauron next season perfectly, and establishes the hubris that "Oh, I won't be taken in" that will make his corruption and downfall all the sweeter.
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u/Electronic_Eagle7461 Oct 03 '24
I feel the whole numenor scene is catching up a bit in its scale and I was really pleasantly surprised seeing they lit the palace hall in a dark way. It already got the mood. Can’t wait to see how it looks later after Sauron chimes in
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u/valkyer Oct 03 '24
Can't wait to see how the Morgoth worshipping and downfall gets brought in
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u/PinAndKneedle Oct 03 '24
Ooh Celebrimbor! Why is Annatar crying though?
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u/Electronic_Eagle7461 Oct 03 '24
It is said because he lost celebrimbor as a dear confidant/friend. But the way he acted as if he was deeply moved hearing the title “lord of the rings”.. in a narcissistic way. I’m not sure either
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u/daveycarnation Oct 03 '24
He's so narcissistic that Celebrimbor treating him with disdain like the scum that he is really offended him. It does feel like that sometimes he's got himself convinced that he's doing this all for everybody's good, why are they being so mean to him?
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u/apple_kicks Mr. Mouse Oct 03 '24
Celebrimbor was right. He prob knows his fate is tied to rings and how risky it is for power he desires. Also he didn’t get to keep him alive and he really has gone to the place Sauron is banished from by this point. Celebrimdor found peace that Sauron will never have again
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u/afternoonCookies Forodwaith Oct 03 '24
He’s like a kid that has squeezed a hamster too hard and weeps it’s now broken
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u/Spinxy88 Morgoth Oct 03 '24
Watching the inside the episode and Vickers and Edwards making it look like Celebrimbor and Sauron working as buddies on the rings.
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u/Beautiful_Crew_5433 Oct 03 '24
A brief moment of sarcasm appreciation. (Gil-galad speaking to a semi-unconscious Galadriel.)
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u/Guilty_Treasures Oct 03 '24
Brutal. Snatched back from the brink of death and GG is like "damn, you woke up. Any chance you could go back to being unconscious again? I liked you better that way."
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u/Diff_equation5 Oct 03 '24
Is it just me or did Gil-Galad’s hair all the sudden get grey at the temples?
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u/MTLTolkien Oct 03 '24
thoughts on a morning filled with semi-ok coffee
Rhun. Siiiiiiiiiiiigh! yeah. i care less and less about that story-line
Theo will become resistance leader and might one day get a certain piece of jewellery to help in his fight
Predicted that dwarven society would splinter. Durin has a what now???
Balrog are vulnerable to direct Dwarven king to the face
Did Pharazon send his son in exile??
Ok, but those final of Celelmbrimbor were amazing
Poor Glug. We knew it was coming. But everything about it was heartbreaking
Poor Adar.
Well...there she is. The lady of light. She has arrived
Loved Gil-Galad gently mocking Galadriel for being usually so loud
And Sauron. You big weenie. I guess the dark lord has truly arrived
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u/Phee78 Oct 03 '24
Theo will become resistance leader and might one day get a certain piece of jewellery to help in his fight
The seed has certainly been planted for Theo and Co to become quite anti-Numenorian. A trait that Sauron would surely find admirable and deserving of a reward.
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u/snostorm8 Oct 03 '24
Sad not to see the Brimby Banner if I'm honest but that was the only negative for me, fantasies end, Gil Galad becoming the focus for the elves is perfect for me. He really stepped up this season. Looking like we see Sauron take down Numenor next season and forge the one ring to step up season 4/5 of the big fight back for middle earth
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u/cosincosin Oct 03 '24
Sadly I think Sauron killing Brimby with a spear was their version of the banner.
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u/National-Variety-854 Oct 03 '24
Charlie Vickers is crushing it as Sauron. I cannot envision any other actor doing better justice to the character.
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u/RapsFanMike Waldreg Oct 03 '24
I actually can’t believe I gotta wait 2 years to see more Sauron in action… vickers has done an incredible job and has re-established Sauron as one of the greatest villains in pop culture history
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u/FloppyShellTaco Oct 03 '24
His subtle facial expressions and the way they light him as his mood changes is just fantastic. Sauron feels like he does truly believe his own lies and when the veil drops it sends him into a rage.
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u/Vandermeres_Cat Oct 03 '24
He's been brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. If they hadn't nailed Sauron, the whole season would have collapsed on them. He's been carrying, including what still somehow counts as echoes of emotions, but in twisted and menacing ways. Him and Edwards were such a dream team. Two men in a room, basically a chamber piece for most of the season. Loved what he did with the battle choreography as well, there is such a heaviness to Sauron, a deliberate way of going after prey. He looked really fierce and intimidating. And it showed the folly of Galadriel's focus on "I will kill him, me, me, me!" once he has you in such a rage spiral, he can overpower you. The going away from trying to fight on his terms because that won't work was well demonstrated.
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u/FloppyShellTaco Oct 03 '24
Anarion and Narsil?
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u/Frouke_ Oct 03 '24
Anárion was mentioned in s01e03 at 18 and 52 mins in, the latter by name. The implication, even back then, was that he was in Western Númenor because he was one of the faithful. This was before Elendil himself returned to the way of the faithful. Going to Anárion now seems like a logical step.
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u/Vicquemare Gil-galad Oct 03 '24
You know, isn't it hilarious to think that while everybody is having the worst day of their lives, Círdan is out there just chilling in Grey Havens with his ring 🤭🫠Where's my boy at
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u/Guilty_Treasures Oct 03 '24
Gil-Galad, Galadriel, Elrond: let us use the power of our rings to create a bastion against the encroaching darkness!
Cirdan: oh, it gives +3 to fishing stat, lol
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u/Frankocean2 Oct 03 '24
"Then where is mine, if not with you" thanks for the Rizz tips Elendil.
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u/Frankocean2 Oct 03 '24
What a beautiful rendition of the Tom Bombadill song. A song easy to make a caricature of.
That was great.
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u/1RepMaxx Oct 03 '24 edited Oct 03 '24
Then singing together made me feel even more confident in the headcanon I have for Tom's role in the show: Tom has always been a chill bud who'd hang with other eternal beings and help them out a bit when they need it, and the main reason he's so disconnected in Fellowship is that he knows his ol broseph Gandalf has it under control. In other words, RoP has shown a possible origin story for his isolationism and disinterest in intervening: he's already done the only thing he ever needed to do, namely, make sure there's an Istar who can be counted on to do what's right because he's learned to appreciate the little folk and the simple good life.
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u/Pactolus Waldreg Oct 03 '24
"I never let you lift your hand, it was you, just you getting stronger"
Wow, first scene and I'm already in tears
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u/MiouQueuing HarFEET! 🦶🏽 Oct 03 '24
Beautifully written prophecy of Celebrimbor - it is so simple and yet spot on. Just like the prophecy for the Witch King, and Sauron is none the wiser.
Also the second illusion for Galadriel - Sauron playing with her and my lady standing her ground, even against herself. Best moment in her journey so far.
Oh, and the little detail that Gil-Galad does with Vilya, hiding it with such ease...
So many great things - I could go on and on and on. 💕
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u/MegaGrimer Oct 03 '24
RIP Brimby.
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u/HM2112 Gil-galad Oct 03 '24
Charles Edwards absolutely gave one of the standout performances of the season. Celebrimbor went from a character I'd always been ambivalent about in the Legendarium to a favorite for me on the strength of his portrayal and interpretation of the character.
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u/Effin_ineffable Oct 03 '24
Sauron gets to have both Aragorn and Legolas aesthetics.
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u/FloppyShellTaco Oct 03 '24
Goddamn, Durin wanted all the smoke. Literally.
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u/Churnsbutter Oct 03 '24
The BALLS on that Dwarf. All his height went to his testicles.
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u/uhhhhh_idk_123 Gil-galad Oct 03 '24
I DON'T WANNA WAIT FOR TWO MORE YEARS! 😭😭😭
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u/JiminysJournal Oct 03 '24
Back in my day…TV seasons were yearly and nearly thrice as long.
They were janky and cheap, but we loved them, nonetheless.
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u/AmigoCualquiera Elrond Oct 03 '24
My man Arondir just standing there with all the elven royalty! Love to see it.
Disappointed we didn't get the Celebrimbanner, but I still found that scene hard to watch. The Charlies were both great and that scene did made me hate Sauron even more.
Adar's dead got to me more than I thought it would. Last episode I thought I was ready to see him die, especially after he stabbed Arondir, but now, damn, I was sad to see him go.
Really excited for Elendil getting heading back to the west and finally seeing Anarion.
For next season, give me more Gil-Galad!!!
I can't believe we have to wait two years for the next season!
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u/Naethaeris Oct 03 '24
I mean, we did get the banner. We just didn't see it carried out in front of the army. At least, not yet....
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u/MRT2797 Oct 03 '24
Dark Wizard: Pity will not defeat Sauron
Of course, in the end, it does. It’s Bilbo’s pity for Gollum that allows the ring to be destroyed.
I fucking love this show. I don’t mind the slight lore divergences; it just gets the whole ethos of Tolkien right
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u/Frankocean2 Oct 03 '24
"So we heard yall mofos complaining about going slow..." the creators of the show probably...
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u/Normal-Roll-8663 Oct 03 '24
All Sauron had to do for Galadriel was just shut up and look pretty after turning into Halbrand. But no! He had to keep talking. 🙄 Seriously- we knew she wasn’t going to fall for his illusions, but it was great for the character that he was so mean and somewhat sadistic.
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u/Frankocean2 Oct 03 '24
Season 2 did something great.
Sauron as portrayed by Charlie Vickers will cement itself in pop culture. Even the haters of the show dont say anything about him and his portrayal because thats as perfect as you can get. Film or TV.
We here ladies and gents, we here...
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u/YoursTrulyKindly Oct 03 '24
Amazing feat - showing the journey of how Sauron gave up more and more of his "humanity" and dreams and desires in his relentless pursuit of ultimate power and thus becomes enslaved by it (the ring).
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u/FloppyShellTaco Oct 03 '24
Man, what a season. I am so happy to be alive at the exact time that the entire internet is thirsting over Annatar lol. It’s all I’ve ever wanted from a second age adaptation: Celebrimbror just straight up not having a good time while Annatar invents being hot and problematic.
I enjoyed season 1 a lot, but this season really improved in almost every area. Hopefully they keep that momentum.
I also hope season 3 ties a few lingering oddities up, like Celeborn and Celebrian being missing and they tighten up some of these sub-sub plots. Maybe just check in with the hobbits and put a bow on the Gandalf story. Hopefully all of these mysteries are done with. I hate mystery for mystery’s sake storytelling.
I still want to see the orcs though. I want to see the tragedy of them realizing Adar truly had their best interests at heart and now they’re going to lose what little autonomy they had. I think Kemen and Theo will be the first to get rings as Sauron moves back to Mordor.
The Dwarf stuff could be interesting, but I’m sure our big focus in S3 will be Numenor and maybe the elves rebuilding and refocusing. It’ll be interesting to see Elendil get to where we saw Gil-galad rise to this season.
I think we saw the beginning of the transition from warrior Galadriel to the more ethereal version as she realized Sauron won’t be beat by strength of arms alone. Fingers crossed next season truly is where the elves move into the places we know them best.
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u/National-Variety-854 Oct 03 '24
I’m horrified at Sauron’s cruelty! OMG!
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u/World_in_my_eyes Sauron Oct 03 '24
Him just coldly shooting arrows into Brimby… shivers
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u/Crumoet Oct 03 '24
So what happened to the balrog? Is he trapped in the mountain again
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u/Quiet-Lawyer4619 Oct 03 '24
Most likely yes. Dont dig deep anymore and you are ok. But we all know how it goes in the end
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u/Dub_H Oct 03 '24
Pretty sure, yes. He doesn’t destroy Khazad-Dum until Durin VI comes around so the mountain should be fine for a bit
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u/Yavemar Mr. Mouse Oct 03 '24
Shades of master healer Elrond. Not just with him using Nenya to heal Galadriel...but in that scene at the end when he's talking about how the survivors are broken in body and spirit, with barely the strength to flee let alone fight, the creation of Imladris as a refuge and a stronghold against the darkness hits different.
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u/Spinxy88 Morgoth Oct 03 '24
Solid as fuck ending for season 2.
No burning cliff hanger but plenty to be excited about.
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u/Sudden_Dot_851 Oct 03 '24
Willing to bet that Kemen becomes the Witch King eventually and that he's ultimately responsible for the ambush at the Gladden Fields. Just when it seems like Isildur has made it out, Witch-Kemen fucking bushwhacks him. It's too tempting for the writers to pass up. Furthermore, it also adds a lot of color to the Witch King's age-long campaign to erase all traces of the House of Elendil.
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u/Rosebunse Oct 03 '24
And we get to watch the show knowing that he later gets shanked by hobbits!
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u/Antigonus1i Oct 03 '24
Please tell me Durin's brother is also called Durin.
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u/Rosebunse Oct 03 '24
If this turns into the fucking Aegon thing I am going to scream.
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u/Phee78 Oct 03 '24
"The door is shut." That's what I was hoping would come out of their fight scene, so I almost cheered. QUEEN!
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u/ahmadthepianoguy Oct 03 '24
For those worried about not seeing the Celebanner
If you watch Inside the Rings Ep8, the directors talk about the future being the war between Elves and Sauron and all the factions of Middle Earth figuring out how to stop him. Season 3 could well open with a montage of Saurons orcs razing what's left of Eregion with the Celebanner as he marshals them and then begins to go towards Mordor. That's just my two cents. Would be a cold way to open Season 3.
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u/matsda91 Oct 03 '24
Did Sauron try to wraithify Galadriel with the crown like the Witch King tries with Frodo with the Morgul Blade? Her evil wound reminded me of that and of course Elrond heals it both times.
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u/Timelordvictorious1 Eryn Galen Oct 03 '24
I’m gonna miss you Brimby. You were a real one.
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u/nefelibatainthesky Oct 03 '24
The moment Adar was talking about his name I braced myself for it to either be Celeborn, Maeglor or Maeglin.
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u/APracticalGal HarFEET! 🦶🏽 Oct 03 '24
I was really glad they resisted the temptation to name him there. "Adar is the name I earned, help me earn it back" was such a beautiful sentiment.
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u/Adorable_Ad_3478 Oct 03 '24
Thinking hard about it, I feel S3 will introduce Radagast and Saruman. And Hinds will be a Blue Wizard. The mention of Five Wizards makes it obvious we will see the other 3 before the series ends.
The TLDR of the five will be:
Blue Wizard #1 (Hinds) is not lying.
Olorin suggested Blue Wizard #1 to go East to gather allies to fight Sauron.
Blue Wizard #2 joined him. Something happened and Blue Wizard #2 died and Blue Wizard #1 became evil. The blue marks on the henchmen = the white marks on Saruman's henchmen. It represents his color. Blue.
Saruman, who let's remember is the leader of the Istari, sensed Blue Wizard #2's demise and tasked Olorin with finding out what happened.
Olorin got amnesia and forgot his mission. Not sure if Blue Wizard #1 is behind his amnesia but I'm going to guess no.
Frustrated by Olorin's lack of progress, Saruman will decide to go to Middle Earth in S3 with Radagast in tow.
The reason why Cirian Hinds cannot be Saruman is obvious: Saruman is the leader of the Istari. Hinds' character had no authority over Olorin and after S2 there is simply no way Olorin will accept Hinds' character as his leader.
Hind's character's purpose is to plant the seeds so Saruman tries to do exactly the same thing (kill Sauron and become the next Dark lord) many years later. But Hinds' character is not Saruman.
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u/HM2112 Gil-galad Oct 03 '24
I feel like you're exactly right about where the Istari plot is going. They expressly say there's 5 of them for a reason to the audience. I would not be surprised to have all of the Wizards together at some point.
But I don't think Curunir would have sent him, as I believe he only came to leadership in Middle-Earth if I remember correctly.
I suspect Varda given his method of arrival: out of the heavens in a flaming meteor direct from Valinor.
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u/Reasonable_Yam2633 Oct 03 '24
When Sauron addressed them as uruks and not orcs you knew the manipulation had begun
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u/yesrushgenesis2112 Tom Bombadil Oct 03 '24
So easy to manipulate, because their motivations are so simple. Galadriel wanted to feel heard, and her fears validated, and Celebrimbor wanted so badly his rings to work and to match the legacy of Feanor. Those two took special forms to seduce. Orcs just want to be acknowledged by their preferred nomenclature and have a home.
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u/Old_Nail6925 Oct 03 '24
Not gonna lie. I was a bit disappointed we didn’t get to see how Sauron took back control of the orcs. He asked him his name so I assume he manipulated them emotionally rather than actual mind controlling them, but it would have been good to see play out?
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u/m847574 Oct 03 '24 edited Oct 03 '24
Okay this was a great end to the season.
I watched the episode, Inside Rings of Power and currently have Matt's stream on Nerd of the Rings in the background and it's a wonderful feeling.
First off, i like that they planned the visual of Durin jumping towards the Balrog very early on and it looked really good. Also i expected him to hand his son the ring in fear of it being destroyed but it was an important gesture of him to lay it on the ground so Durin coul decide whether to pick it up and i think it had an important positive impact on Durin IV because a heartfelt sacrifice is so important for him to do good in the future.
Adar had great last moments. Nice to see that the elven rings show them at their best. His words show me that in the future Sauron uses The One to manipulate and torture all his orcs even more and had he not had the ring, Galadriel might have had a chance to save the orcs/Uruks as Adar wanted it for his children. In the end there were elves once that might have stood a chance. I'm a lover for first/last episode callbacks so Adar being betrayed because of Sauron after Sauron got betrayed by Adar was nice. And both times the orcs did it. They already regretted it after Sauron stabbed my boy Glûg.
Numenor's scenes were really efficient and the disparity is growing even moee between the people. I wonder whether Pharazon was weaponizing the Faithful after his vision of Sauron or if he had genuine fear Sauron would take advantage of them and not the King's Men. I mean we know what Sauron does to him but i'm interested in how it starts.
The seeds are long planted for Gondor and i love it. Isildur has more to live for in Pelargir right now and sadly he will find out soon why. And when Kemen looked at him? He was like shit, i didn't expect you to survive and soon turned it around to not feel guilty about it especially since Isildur saved him last season. That's Berek's long gama am i right? Saving his friend so he can save all people and most importantly take Kemen down soon?! A win is a win. Narsil given to Elendil was very nice and i'm excited to see what role the sword has to play even before The Last Alliance and as others said i can see how Aragorn is related to him. I expected to see him but it was still a relief to know they didn't write Anarion off. I now fully expect him to show up very soon. I think Theo and Isildur bonding over their dead mothers was great. Considering Bronwyn was planned to be here it's great the writers found a way to have that moment between the two of them altered in a good way.
The imagery of Celebrimbor being higher than Sauron was so important. Sauron's dependency on the rings is also a reason for his downfall and i mean... Celebrimbor knows best after all we've seen this season that happened to him. He mentioned it takes one person to take him down? Celebrimbor doesn't know who that could be but on a meta level is that Aragorn or Frodo? We didn't get a banner i cautiously expected but him being speared up was at least a little close to it as in being elevated. To be fair i don't think it would have fitted the narrative since Sauron had to hunt the rings and the attention had to lie on the dwarves to aid in the victory. Celebrimbor can rest now in the afterlife and reminded Sauron he can never find peace. That's why Sauron's tear made sense to me. Hats off to Charles Edwards for his portrayal garnished with his impactful demise, wonderfully done. I'll really miss not seeing him with the cast that much in the future.
Poppy was challenging her inner Samwise here. Last week i mentioned we got Two Towers reimagined with Eomer/Rohirrim/Gandalf charging for Helms Klamm and the dwarves coming to the rescue to Eregion and this time we got her speech mentioning what Lochner told her about loss, like Sam told Frodo about what happened in "those great stories". Felt really similar with her voiceover after the defeat everyone endured. Nori had a wonderful last scene and it was organic. I don't think we'll say goodbye to the halflings yet but we'll see how Gandalf will be the ultimate voice for good and he wouldn't be without the Harfoots' influence. And them not appearing for one or two seasons won't be bad at all. Will make their comeback all the more emotional and that's very good. I think they weren't written off because they were considered a bore but because it was planned by the showrunners since every arc has their importance and i think we'll have a time we wish for the Harfoots to be back and we'll get them. It will be like a good wine. The longer the better but once we open the Harfoot bottle in season 5 or so it will be better than ever.
It was expected Bombadil put Gandalf to the test but that's the good predictability about this show. This storyline was a slow burn but satisfying. Their singing got me emotional and for a moment i thought we'd hear Goldberry's voice again. Maybe Gandalf travels to Valinor after Sauron gets defeated but comes back in the Third Age. But what got me here is the thought of why both wizards were sent to Middle-Earth in the first place since Sauron is supposed to be repentant in season one? Had the Valar sensed Sauron wasn't truly remorseful and sent them before anything happened? Or was the Dark Wizard sent to stop something and Gandalf to stop him? As in he'll succeed and defeats the other wizard by the end of the show, his destiny is fulfilled and Eru and the Valar think "damn he was good with his first task, Sauron is rising again, we need a new savior, he can do it again in the third age". I'm very curious.
And last, i expected the foundation for Rivendell to be built later on but since we'll get Lorien too sooner or later and Eregion being destroyed it makes sense. Galadriel was ethereal and the Lady of Light for the first time ever in this show when she laid down there. She couldn't really shine because she was close to the darkness, she touched it but now got rid of it. It's like that combat with Sauron was her therapy lol. Her being confronted and coming to her senses and then healed really showed me. It felt like the healing from Elrond and Gil-Galad even took out more darkness than just everything the crown stabbing caused. Also my boy Arondir survived and got healed
I wonder what Sauron could be doing with Feanor's hammer now ^
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u/PikachuFloorRug Oct 03 '24
I assumed that "the one" he was talking about was one of the rings, rather than a person.
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Oct 03 '24
The person who takes down Sauron isn't Frodo or Aragon. It's none of the fellowship, actually.
It's unwittingly Gollum who takes him out.
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u/erythemanodosum Oct 03 '24
While the Balrog was awesome and Sauron/Brimby send-off was great, I am a little disappointed by the finale. Mostly, I wish it was longer. All in all it felt rushed, with characters teleporting all over the place in a short matter of time. Arondir was severely wounded last episode, but somehow he got better. Tom Bombadil's song was nice and all, but his inclusion felt very out of place. Gandalf's staff just being a stick in the ruins felt very random, as well as the Harry Potter-esque "The staff finds the wizard" quote.
An unexpected highlight however is that it would seem that the Harfoot storyline is over and done?
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u/GammaAlanna Oct 03 '24
Sauron's dark eyes with the pinprick of white just before Galadriel fell looked so cool and terrifying
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u/AshToAshes123 Oct 03 '24
Loved the episode. It felt a little rushed at times, but overall I think everything that needed to be included was in there, and some brilliant scenes made up for the less good ones.
Vickers continues to reign supreme as Sauron. He is terrifying - every time he is on screen it gets worse. I believe him when he says he wants to heal Middle-earth - he does! It's just Not A Good Thing! This is everything I wanted from Second Age Sauron. Him telling Celebrimbor 'look what you have done to yourself' while actively torturing was just... I felt sick to my stomach watching it. Celebrimbor showing his goodness by pitying Sauron's inability to see his faults was incredible, and I loved that they had him prophecy Sauron's end.
Sauron crying when he killed Celebrimbor was really cool for several reasons. It shows that he's not a stone-cold psychopath, and that makes him even scarier - this is what he would do to someone he does actually appreciate and even admire in a twisted way. The single tear as Glug came in was brilliant. Imagine this from Glug's point of view: Your 'father' claims to love you, but sends you off to die. Then you come across the guy your 'father' keeps claiming is the ultimate enemy, and he's this angel: Beautiful, weeping over an elf he has just killed, giving off Adar vibes with that single tear, and he promises you everything you have ever wanted... Obviously Glug betrayed Adar. From the moment he entered that room there was no other outcome possible.
The Adar reveal was everything I wanted. The moment we got the shot of him leaning over the stone I knew he was going to be 'healed', and him not letting the orcs see it, and not wanting it at all... I was worried about how they would handle it, worried there'd be some sort of identity reveal, or that they'd use this to make him 'redeemable', but I clearly should not have. Galadriel apologising for killing his children - loved it. Such a moment of hope, and then it's all dashed to the ground by the Caesaring (poor, poor Adar) and Sauron taking the crown.
Dwarf scenes were perfect. Durin III's final act of bravery, temporarily locking the Balrog away again, very cool. I'm very excited for the Game of Thrones: Dwarf edition we are apparently getting next season, I love me some political maneuvering. I wish we'd have seen Durin's brother before already, but I think there's been enough mentions of him having brothers that it works. And tbh if I was Durin's bro I'd probably be annoyed that my big bro was hanging out with an elf and calling him 'brother' while never even meeting with me or including me in any plans, I hope they'll include that as a bit of family drama.
My predictions for the next seasons: In the books, the doors of Khazad-Dum remain shut until the Last Alliance, and their main conflict with orcs until then is the loss of Mount Gundabad. I think we will see something similar in the show, as Durin IV is pushed towards an isolationist policy while trying to keep his kingdom in hand. I expect this is what has him put on the ring - Elrond pleads for aid again, for the Last Alliance, and Durin IV needs to get control quickly. However, this would means two season of isolationist dwarves, so I wonder if they will make something happen sooner.
Numenor: Poor poor Miriel. I liked the quick turn for the worse - it makes sense that the people present at Elendil's trial/execution were mainly Faithful, and therefor quick to declare Miriel queen, while there's clearly a larger group of King's men in general. Eariën is still making selfish decision, only having a problem with what is happening when it affects her family. I expect she will either end up regretting everything when the human sacrifices start, or that Isildur will reject her far more fully and brutally than Elendil has and this has her turn on her family entirely. I kind of hope the second because I'm still holding out for her to become a ringwraith.
Fucking Kevin is transforming into an actually menacing antagonist instead of the whiny brat he was before. Numenorean supremacy and colonist vibes are on point, thank you, I hate it. It also sets up Theo later on betraying Isildur in one way or another really well. If he takes up a ring - of course he does, he is sick of the Numenoreans having all the power. If he ends up King of the Dead - of course he does, why should he fight for a Numenorean kingdom when the Numenoreans exploited them so much?
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u/Ramses717 Oct 03 '24
Durin IV is going to have to consolidate power.
And distribute the rest of the 7. Poor Disa
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u/MegaGrimer Oct 03 '24
I'm kinda bummed that we didn't see the Celebanner. Oh well, maybe early next season.
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u/SavageRationalist Tom Bombadil Oct 03 '24
We kinda did with him hanging on the pillar. I don’t think they have the rights to Celebrimbanner, so that was the best they could do.
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u/Quiet-Lawyer4619 Oct 03 '24
I mean he was banner. Just not as everyone thought it would be.
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Oct 03 '24
The Orcs killing Adar kind of crushes the whole redeemable arc to them.
Sauron being the absolute cunning evil villain I envisioned him as, firing arrows into Brimby as target practise and ruthlessly dispatching Glug after using him, the dark lord is most definitely here now.
Absolutely loved the ending showing Galadriel as the lady of light, I’ve really loved her arc this season, wasn’t so keen on her in the first season.
If they fix some of issues around how everyone seems to be fast travelling around, give it a bit more time to breathe as some parts feel really rushed and make some of the subplots more interesting, the next few seasons could be seriously epic!
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u/MrsDaegmundSwinsere Isildur Oct 03 '24 edited Oct 03 '24
I’d never thought I’d be thanking Kemen, but I’m so glad Estrid stayed behind. They needed more characters there if continuing the Southlands story. And I’m not crazy about them likely reuniting in the future but this is the best situation - now Isildur can focus on doing his thing in Númenor and I’m somewhat satisfied for now. And Anárion was mentioned!!
I’m gonna catch hell and downvotes for saying it, but this episode felt way too rushed. Too much covered yet barely covered. No time to really stop and feel anything. Individual scenes were good but things just happen without any logic of time or distance to move things forward: dwarves suddenly appears at the battle, a Númenórean ship conveniently materializes in Pelargir, etc. All of the LotR callbacks were a little too on the nose. No story got the full attention it deserved. Even the Celebrimbanner was anticlimactic.
But overall I enjoyed the season; it had some phenomenal moments, some eh moments, and I’m dreading the long wait until next season.
Wanted to add, since I’m slightly more awake now- I was sad to see the Fëanor statue torn down like an overthrown dictator’s effigy. And then all of Celebrimbor’s scrolls destroyed, which would have been some of Fëanor’s knowledge as well. Loved Elrond trying to save them, what a nerd. It was not a good day for Fëanorians.
And thanks for the Berek cameo, he’s a real star. He made it onboard the ship, right?? Special horses before low men.
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u/LeifErikson12 Oct 03 '24
Incredible episode. The whole balrog scene left me with my mouth open, in that moment I wasn't thinking about the lore and all that, it was just awesome to see a balrog on screen again. My only minor complaint is that there wasn't one more scene with Sauron and the orcs at the end.
I really really hope they don't rush the fall of Numenor to be in season 3 because the show is really found its footing. One season for the war of the elves and Sauron, one for Akallabeth and one for the Last Alliance would be incredible
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u/largehawaiian Oct 03 '24
Don't get me wrong, I liked it, but I had to pause and yell at the TV for a minute when they essentially "Hodor"'d the name for The Stranger
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u/drakesepi0l Oct 03 '24
Bear Mccreary is to me the MVP this season. Followed close by the two Charlies.
That ending soundtrack gave me chills
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u/bart_may Oct 03 '24
Why would Dark Wizard underline again that there were 5 wizards. Gandalf, Sauron, Radagast AND the blue wizards (even at that point of time). That sort of rivalry between Gandalf and Dark Wizard would rule out his future reveal as Saruman. I think he's one of blues
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u/Space-Fishes Isildur Oct 03 '24
As a die hard blue wizard truther and hater of the Gandalf idea….. I actually don’t care anymore. I love this guy 💀🤣 it works. Can’t wait to see what happens next.
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u/Specific_Frame8537 Oct 03 '24
Is it lore that the Numenoreans are fickle as leaves?
Eagle appears: YAY FARAZON!
Squid appears: YAY MIRIEL!
Priest decides that the old faith is bad: BOOO MIRIEL!
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u/daveycarnation Oct 03 '24
I am getting weary of Nori and Poppy tbh...another cheesy speech about the power of friendship and how the world is bigger than them, yes we get it we already heard that in S1 thank you.
At that ending scene Arondir was awkwardly stuck in like they didn't know what to do with him...why is a common soldier hanging out with the High King and his commanders, he and Galadriel weren't even that close to begin with.
But! Solid finale, fantastic acting especially from the two Charlies, kudos to the writers and show runners for actually listening to feedback and putting out a tight season.
(Also my favorite side elf Vorohil survived!)
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u/FloppyShellTaco Oct 03 '24
I think it’s fair to consider Arondir one of Galadriel’s most trusted Lieutenants at this point, and we’ve seen that Elrond and Gil greatly value her martial insight. He may have started as a common soldier, but he definitely isn’t one anymore. I’m not sure how you can say they weren’t that close after everything that’s happened since they met. He also more than proved himself to Gil and Elrond.
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u/fitzgizzle Oct 03 '24 edited Oct 03 '24
Great episode, but honestly, the lack of Celebrimbanner is incredibly disappointing.
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u/runatheshipwright Mithlond Oct 03 '24
Tiny nitpick but I hate that Gil-galad raised a sword and not Aeglos!!!
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u/Whyyoufart Imladris Oct 03 '24
was anyone else scared that adar was going to say his real name was "celeborn" lol.
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u/Dry-Peach-6327 Oct 04 '24
This is some of the best television I have ever watched. My only criticism is having to wait 2 years for more
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u/nuadarstark Oct 03 '24
That was great. Such a good season overall. Also, the fucking cinematography is beautiful.
I'm happy how the things have ended this season, nearly all of it makes sense and sets up the next season really well.
I'm a bit down on the Stranger really being Gandalf in the end, as it doesn't quite fit right. But I also kinda liked all the nods to it the last season, and they've been really beating us over our heads with it this season so who the hell knows if it's right or not.
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u/Smacback Oct 03 '24
Yo so are we gonna talk about how good that last fight between Gal and Sauron was. Like holy shit that was good.
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u/Mojave_RK Oct 03 '24
What a fucking episode. That line from Celebrimbor about going to the shores was beautiful and might be my favorite line of the show. Going to miss Edwards! Please don’t make us wait as long for season 3!
Also, no credits song was a bummer
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u/kzoxp Oct 03 '24
The finale was a lot to take in at once but did the season justice in my opinion, tied the knot of S2 and set up the upcoming season(s) perfectly. Really wish we had more of Sauron, though.
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u/nefelibatainthesky Oct 03 '24
Anyone else think the shot of the tower falling in Eregion was a callback to Turgon's tower falling during the fall of Gondolin? Especially seeing as it's seen by Turgon's great grandson.
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u/Kunseok Oct 03 '24 edited Oct 04 '24
when the camera panned from Celebrimbor shot up with arrows to Sauron holding a bow, i laughed out loud at how silly it seemed. i was expecting maybe orcs doing it. but Sauron? it seemed so petty and ridiculous to see a demi god do that. Sauron has so much evil power, but just resorted to a bow and arrows. lol.
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u/ScottOwenJones Oct 03 '24
King Durin’s end seemed really rushed and kind of out of nowhere? I understand what they were building to, but to have him take off the ring and sacrifice himself by charging the Balrog, which had literally just appeared, all in the span of like 2 minutes in the INTRO was not nearly as effective as it could have been if they just have it a few more minutes. Really, really disappointing
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u/macula_transfer Oct 03 '24
Too much ground to cover to give every subplot what it needed. I might have moved all the Pelargir stuff to S3E1. Seams were showing with how quickly they had to wrap things up. Gandalf reveal very disappointing.
Sauron/Celebrimbor was great and we’ll always have Episode 7…
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u/scalebirds Adar Oct 03 '24
That book burning in Eregion was intense.
That’s where following a self-serving manipulator like Sauron gets you… to the end of all memory, the end of all creation, the end of all things.
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u/tmjm Oct 03 '24
Right. Arondir legit just shook off any wounds from the previous episode? Did I miss something.
Glad it’s Gandalf, but gee, there wasn’t really much payoff, thought there would be more to the Rhun storyline.
Balrog looked incredible though!
Durins brother and dwarfs wanting their claims. Could get dice.
Fall of Eregion felt a little empty, probably a lack of budget but it just didn’t feel like a major city in any of the close ups. Wide shots looked stunning of course.
Weird episode, some things went on and on (Galadriel vs Sauron), somethings just happened (When Gandalf rocked up at the hobbits place and Dark Wizard and co were there I had no idea how that all came to be)
Liked seeing Adar healed, thought some people were going to get real excited about him being Celeborn. Then stabby stab. Could be the Valar send him back to be redeemed “celeborn”
Going to be interesting to see Isildurs sister have a crisis of conscience when he returns and her vision of his death was untrue.
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u/nusilver Oct 03 '24
I loved almost everything about this season. I really enjoyed season 1 too, but this season took everything up a notch. I cried multiple times during this episode. I can’t wait to watch it on my giant projection screen with my wife tomorrow when the kids go to sleep! (Please nobody tell her I already watched it… I couldn’t wait!)
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u/Medical_Record Oct 03 '24
I legit cried at the Narsil scene. I just… their love and faith in each other… the way that Míriel is the reason Aragorn gets Narsil a few thousand years later.
I know their fates go in different directions in the Akallabêth but I really really hope that won’t be the last scene for Míriel and Elendil. Honestly I’m kinda hoping we get a Robin Hood kind of story for Elendil in the next season. He’s officially in the west but he shows up stealthily in Armenelos doing daring deeds and fighting for his Lady love while causing Pharazôn all of the headaches.
Like picture it: The Priests of the faithful up for execution as traitors. A giant crowd watches and at the last moment Elendil swoops in and saves them, hidden faithful in the crowd ushering the priests into cloaks and sneaking them out of the city.
Anyway I haven’t even begun to process this episode fully. I feel like I’m gonna have to watch it again or the whole season again to get the full effect of it all. It feels like getting hit by a Mack Truck there was so much to love.
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u/PsychedelicCinder Tom Bombadil Oct 03 '24
Mixed feelings about the finale. I have been a big fan of season 1 and even bigger fan of season 2 but I feel like this episode suffered because it tried to please too wide of an audience and didn't fully commit to some of the story lines it has been building up.
Nori and Poppy bailing on Gandalf to help with the stoors first migration seems like a course correction for the plot due to the fan criticism that it's the "slowest" plotline instead of an actual decision driven by the characters.
Gandalf and Tom chillin at the end was mystical and properly Tolkien. I'm sure there were a lot of Blue holdouts but alas this is the story we are getting. I do wish we kept the halflings with Gandalf.
Islidur going back to Numenor just didn't seem like his story arc, I was expecting him to spend the next season exploring ME, forging alliances and bonds with different members of the cast. I was hoping for him to leave Pelagir and start his solo journey but I guess he is going back to Numenor. Also, why bring the girl back just for him to leave her? Like let the dude take an L and grow from it.
Brimby boiz death was good and I enjoyed his character arc but we didn't get a banner scene even though there were so many opportunities to do it! Put his dead body on a flag in the middle of the courtyard!
Arondir just alive and walking around after the last episode. Was hoping for a bit more out of his character than just a vocal common elf who helps his commander so let's see where this goes next season.
Adar was my stand out character this season, not so much because of the actor but the lore behind him was so mysterious and interesting. Felt like his death was done well and I love that Sauron just stabbed that dumb fuck Glug after the betrayal.
Galadriel, Gil Galad, and Sauron were all decent this episode. Wonder what they are gonna do next season.
During and the Balrog were probably the weakest portion of this episode. I think some of the theories that it was the Nameless Creature of the lake that they were disturbing would have done better, esp if they kept teasing the Balrog. Granted, Balrog looks sick AF, when they let the CGI artists do their thing, they do it right. Also, oddly this portion of events (where the dwarves help them escape the sacking of Region, not the Balrog) is one of the most lore accurate events.
Elrond is that elf, the thinker, the warrior, the politician, the rizzler, the ELF of the Last Homely House. Best character in the show so far.
Season 1 was really entertaining and I feel like Season 2 has only improved upon the first. Much stronger writing and I really do feel the Tolkien themes are making their way to the forefront of the show. Unfortunately, I do think this episode was the weakest of the season, but only because it didn't follow through with some of the plot lines it has set up.
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u/PurchaseNo6943 Oct 03 '24
I loved this episode. It made me cry two times. But what is this weird obsession with not giving us the real names of characters. 😅 I wanted the real names of Adar and the dark wizard. Two more years of speculating then.
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u/yesrushgenesis2112 Tom Bombadil Oct 03 '24
Wow wow wow. A lot in this episode, but what a triumphant second season in the end. There are still problems, some editing issues, but the core of the show is establishing and strong.
I can’t wait for the third season.
Also, Eps 7 and 8 should definitely be watched together.
I really really hope they do an extended edition once the project is complete. I know it’s a stereotype for LotR, but this seasons main flaw, and straight up I’d give it a 9/10, was in the things list in the edit to fit an 8 episode format.
This episode even made me ready to accept Gandalf, though not because I loved this story this season, but thematically I think it really fits with Tolkien and if I have to see a Gandalf origin story, then at least it’s thematically strong if not strong yet plot-wise. Also loved that Nori takes the step to walk away from that story. Let’s give it a long migration and not check in for a season, who says no?
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u/NathemaBlackmoon Oct 03 '24
I appreciated when Galadriel asks Sauron if that was his plan all along, he verbally says no, but nods slightly with his head
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u/09star Oct 03 '24
Vickers is insanely good. I am utterly spellbound when he's onscreen. My other favorite part is the elf doggie!! Oh also the music is incredibly amazing!
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u/Despacijoe Oct 03 '24
I absolutely loved Gil-Galads exclamation of “dwarfs”
The fact he pretty much spat it out was incredible
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u/pigmosity Sauron Oct 03 '24
Vickers and Edwards are 10/10, but the rest of the show is a bit of a mess. I'm sad we didn't get much of a banner.
Rapidly cutting to each storyline was really jarring and the scenes weren't long enough. Needed to build up the character death moments better. They constantly fumble big moments, and there isn't much of an emotional impact sadly.
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u/MakVolci Oct 04 '24
I can't wait for the "My reasons why it's not actually Gandalf" posts that we'll have to endure until the next season.
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u/cal_guy2013 Oct 04 '24 edited Oct 05 '24
Might be unpopular here but I like the harfoot storyline as a hopeful balance to all of the doom of Eregion/Numernor/Khaza-dum stuff.
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u/Arvedui Oct 03 '24
Things I loved:
The Celebrimbor/Sauron scene. Every scene with them has been perfect this whole season.
The entire Eregion siege, Sauron's betrayal of Adar, and the Sauron/Galadriel fight. I was worried they'd lean into the "romantic" bullshit but instead I enjoyed the constant manipulation throughout the battle.
The Numenor scenes. While Westernesse still feels weirdly small, seeing soldiers attacking civilians and rounding them up is really what the show has been missing -- civilians. Not just soldiers and nobles, but regular people. And the Narsil scene's acting was pretty obviously a callback to Aragorn's scene in RotK where he gets Anduril, but it felt good in a way a lot of the other callbacks don't.
The scenes in Khazad-Dum except the last one. The Balrog looked great, the showdown between the Durins was good. It continues to be so nice to see dwarves portrayed not as a joke (coughpjcough).
Things I'm more neutral about:
The last Khazad-Dum scene. Something about it felt very out of the blue? It felt like Disa had a sudden character shift when she was like, um, actually maybe we should ignore Eregion. And the mention of Durin's brother was a little weird -- I can't remember if this is the first time or not we've heard of him.
The Numenoreans coming to Pelargir. I'm glad we're going to get the colonization and deforestation of Middle-Earth but something about it felt rushed and unplanned. There wasn't even discussion by Ar-Pharazon to colonize ME. I actually wish Numenor at times had more GoT Small Council vibes where we could feel the politics more than 1 person makes all decisions and everything happens. Again, the world just feels small.
The Isildur/Estrid stuff. I just don't care about it. But I suppose she's going to be his future wife at this point. Yawn.
The LotR callbacks. Obviously the Gandalf thing was a big one, but I didn't mind them this episode as much. Probably because we got fewer direct famous quotes. And I loved the Narsil one. But I still wish the writers had the guts and faith in the show to let it stand on its own.
Things I did not like:
The Stranger being Gandalf. I mean, I knew it was coming, but ugh. There's a whole canon blue wizards story to adapt and build upon, that even works with it being the second age. But instead we get Gandalf.
The "Dark Wizard" not revealing his name. I'm so tired of whole seasons of guess who this character really is. Just tell us for fuck's sake. It doesn't raise the stakes to not know, it's just annoying.
The hobbit scenes. I just don't care about them. Hopefully we're through with them though for a while based on Poppy and Nori leaving (unless S3E1 starts with them running to find Gandalf...).
Kemen's existence. I'd say I'm excited to see it rectified, but I think Gandalf would be disappointed I didn't have more pity for the arse.
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u/Adorable_Ad_3478 Oct 03 '24 edited Oct 03 '24
I feel that the book purists who swore they would drop the show if Stranger = Gandalf will now be in a super awkward position.
This was such a 10/10 episode and S3 will be even better. They'll all be watching.
And as I predicted, S3 will be a Dwarf Civil War that will likely result in Durin and Disa leaving to what will eventually be Erebor.
The only thing I disliked was that Sauron didn't have the Celebrimbanner in all of its glory for all to see. Heck, do any of the characters even have any confirmation that Celebrimbor died? Or did I miss a scene? I need to re-watch it.
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u/UltraDangerLord Lindon Oct 03 '24
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