#I'm glad we parted with him as Adar

[pimsri]

In Defiance of Death

[lazyneonrabbitt]

Astray far away, towards the lands of the enemy.

Adar x reader | SMUT🔞 | Ch.2

When orcs cross your lands you choose survival. After that you choose selfish desire which makes for a nice turn of events.

WC: 2.2k

Part one of the Lets make Adar a dad fic

Waldreg was a rat, always had been.

But nowadays, with evil lurking he was making quite the points to assure survival. 

After Bronwyn gave her speech about fighting and Waldreg had countered it with bowing down for survival you had followed him out of the gates of Ostirith, and during the night, bowed down before your enemy.

Before you, Waldreg made a speech of loyalty but was ignored by the orcs' leader.

Ignored until he had called him Sauron. 

You watched Waldreg be grabbed by the throat and thrown to the ground, still offering loyalty to whoever the man before you all might be.

Again he was ignored, as the man took Rowan who stood right before you and was dragged to face the crowd, forced to kneel as the orc leader tossed a dagger at Waldreg's chest. Finally speaking.

"Only blood can bind." 

Before your eyes, in the torch lit town you watched as Waldreg did as instructed, and killed your friend to pledge his loyalty.

Next thing you knew you were following along with orders, listening to Adar give his speech to the Uruks he called his childen. Abd then trying to hide from your now enemies, praying the Uruks recognised you as their ally.

Only the Uruks weren't the biggest of your worries as another troop came in on horseback to aid the oposing forces.

So you hid with the remainder of the troop that managed to escape. You hid in the woods until the ground shook and fire rained from the sky and by the time the enemy fled you were back with Adar and the others and the start of building a new home was done.

The Southlands were no longer, from now on you were citizens of Mordor.

Scouts were sent off and remaining troops arrived with all belongings, ready to build.

But first it was time for celebration.

Uruks howled and feasted on fallen soldiers, even offering you some meat but you politely declined. 

Instead you found the other humans, all getting drunk off whatever survived the onslaught. So you moved on from them too, not feeling like drinking after all that happened. Your last stop was somewhere off at the edge of the town's remains where you stared at the smouldering ashes and low dancing flames on the edge of dying out.

That too didn't bring your mind peace and quiet, so you moved on again. Wandering around until you almost ran into someone after turning a corner. 

"Not of the celebrating kind, child?" Adar himself stood before you, two mugs in hand. He offered one to you as he went to sit on some fallen support beams.

"I'm not really one for getting drunk or feasting on my enemies' flesh, no." You joined his side and sat down. "Don't take me wrong, I am glad your Uruks have a home now." Your words ended with a smile, buried behind the drink. It was bad how you wanted to stare at the man for as long as you could. You had wanted it since you first watched him throw Wardreg and had Rowan killed. No one should look that good doing all of that.

"You know your eyes speak enough. No need to hide, I can read you." His gloved hand raised to lower your mug.

"This is good, what is it?" You tried your best to change the topic of conversation with a genuine question.

"A simple Uruk made red wine the last group brought in. Is it that different from what you served here?" He gestured to the tavern that you sat behind and looked at you with a curious look. 

"It's so nice and warm." It brought you comfort so you sipped away at it, the nerves of everything happening today finally leaving you. "So strange, it's so much nicer than ours." 

This time it was Adar changing the topic again. "Shall we go join the others? Surely you'd warm up to my children quicker that way." His offer was a kind one, filled with elven charm he still possesed even after becoming what he was now. 

"I think I prefer the less chaotic energy here, in all honesty. Being able to talk and drink wine, it's nice." 

And it was nice, even Adar agreed. Now that he and his children had a home there was no need for endless planning and strategizing to keep him busy anymore. 

"I admit, you are right. Having a quiet conversation just for the pleasure of it is something I have not done in a long while." He watched you place your mug down, impressed with how quickly you had downed the wine for a mere mortal who claimed not caring about getting drunk. 

You placed the mug down and thanked the wine for silencing the voice in your head as you sat straight up and murmured something. Adar didn't catch what it was, and questioned you about it.

"I said," With a swift move you flung your leg over his lap and straddled him. "There is probably other things that you have not done for pleasure in a very long time." 

Adar followed your quick movements with ease, hus gloved hand ending on your hip. Metal digging into your skin to steady you as his other hand came up to rest at your jaw.

Your actions intrigued him. "You assume right." His gloved hand sqeezed a bit harder, making you squirm in his lap as the sharp edges pressed deeper against your bones. "Now, what did you have in mind now that you have sat yourself so selfishly onto my lap?" He wasn't actively moving you off him so you took your chances to move along, inching closer to his face and pressing a swift peck to his jawline before nuzzling his neck. 

You only got a confused grunt in response, which had you decide to think more as an Uruk, and bite down on his flesh and grind your hips against his. It earned you a low growl and a sharp pull of your hair that disconnected your lips from his throat. 

"You wish to be rough, little mortal?" His gaze changed into an amused grin, taking your hip and shoulder in hand as he manouvered you onto your back, legs still over his as he moved himself atop of you. 

His legs on either side of the fallen structure with your hips pulled up against his, a sharp metal hand pressing into the soft plump of your cheeks prying open your jaw to push a finger past your lips. 

His ungloved hand went to find the ends of your garment and tear it off your lower half, exposing you to the night air while you struggled to move against the iron grasp on your jaw and the metal digging into your tongue.

"How good of you, to wet your master's fingers for him.." His lips barely an inch from your ear, returning the act of biting down on your earlobe with a soft growl and licking the sensitive flesh. 

You mewled as his gloved hand left your face, sharp fingertips dragging down over your clothed torso as he sat back up, untill it reached bare skin. You gasped as he continued south, two fingers moving just off your centre, pulling a soft plea from you. "P.. please, no.."

 He watched in amusement as he pressed the flats of his fingers against your mound, just the leather of his glove on your skin. He drank in the fear that mixed with your arousal, adding to his own fire and exposing you further, leaving your body bare to see for anyone who'd wander past.

You could feel his hard length press against you as he rutted his hips against you, his hands toying with your chest making you moan out in pleasure. 

He groaned in return, moving to undo his trousers and free his cock, wetting it with your slick. 

"It's been long since I have felt this warmth." He breathed out, postitioning his tip at your entrance. You whined with every inch of his length stretching you open, wrapping your legs around his waist as best as you could. The sounds of the Uruks ans men partying drowned out more with each roll of Adar's hips, forcing a moaned breath out of you each time. 

He stilled as he bottomed out, hips slotted with yours in a near perfect matter. Leaning forward on his hands his hair framed his face, lust blown eyes staring deep into yours. There was a slight pant in his breath. "I will keep you." His gloved hand moved to your chest, metal fingers toying with your nipple making you whine out. "Y.. yes Lord Father.." Pain and pleasure mixed in the best way. "You are mine to seek pleasure with howevever I wish." 

Your hands moves to clas at his thighs in an attempt to make him move. "My body belongs to you, Lord Father." 

Your words spurred him on and with a hand on your hip he started moving, cock leaving you almost fully before thrusting back in and setting a steady pace. 

Cries of pleasure filled the ashen air, groans and pleased grunts joining the choir behind the tavern. "L..lord Father.. Adar.." Your voice was barely abouve a whisper. " your hand found his hair, fingers scratching his scalp. "Plant your seed.. Use me to continue your bloodline." 

His thrusts became more harsh, forcing a gasp from you each time his hips came in contact with yours. "Would you.. truly give up your body.. like that?" He panted between breaths, he hadn't bred in Ages, not feeling the need to produce more offspring. The concept of having a family of his own beside his Uruk children was foreign to him. 

"Please.." You pulled him in closer with your heels pressed into his back, moaning as his cock hit just right inside you.

"Make me a mother." 

Adar's hips stilled entirely as he looked down on you, a grin spread wide on his faceas he lifted his gloved hand and brought a fingertip down below your chest hard enough to break skin. You could not see what he did, only feel the carving of flesh obscured by the plump of your breast.

He did not speak, nor try to show you. Instead resumed his rough pace as if nothing had happened.

"You will bear my children, yes? For as long as I please. Until your body is no longer fit to carry offspring." His raspy voice was right at your ear, his teeth sinking into the sensitive skin on your neck as he bred you. 

"Ahh..Adar.. hah.." Your moans increased the closer you got to the edge. They were music to Adar's ears.

Not like the animalistic howls and roars of thr Uruks he had gotten so accustomed to. No, your sounds were addicting. 

Your hand found his ungloved one, guiding it between your legs to press two fingers down on your clit, silently begging him to pull you over the edge. On contact you cried out, pleading over and over until the coil snapped and you came, walls clamping down on his cock in extacy.

With no chance to catch your breath your cries turned into begging for rest, a moment to come down but instead Adar kept playing with your clit, fucking into you at the perfect angle that hit every right spot inside of you. The display amused him, filing it all away for if he ever found himself alone and in need of relief.

Before you he panted, chest heaving and mouth hanging open. His tongue rolled out past his smiling lips, a string of drool lowering and disconnecting from the tip of his tongue, dripping down right above your core. His already slick fingers gathered it and spread it all over where his cock disappeared into your folds. 

It reminded you that you weren't producing a child with an elf. You were being bred by an Uruk. 

Adar's growls and sighs got more frequent along with his thrusts becoming less rythmic. He was as close as you were again.

His hinistrations continued, fingers dancing over your sensitive bundle of nerves as his cock stroked thr spot that had you see stars from the inside. 

You threw your head back with one last gut wrenching moan, squeezing your walls around his cock once more and pulling him over the edge with you. With a low growled moan he spilled deep within your womb, stilling to catch his breath.

As he tucked himself back into his trousers he watched your close to unconsious form, eyes closed and breaths evening out.

In your current state you could no longer register the Uruks that had gathered because of the noise, watching their Adar who mated with one of the new women. 

He was unsure how long they had been there or how much they saw, but from the howls and cheers he figured they had seen enough. 

With a glare in their direction, Adar sent away his children and covered your bare skin to the best of his abilities. You needed a new set of clothes. 

With you wrapped in his arms he set off to find a place for you to sleep while he sent others on a hunt for clothes. 

[butterflydm]

rings of power, s2 eps 1-2

So there are things I know about how this season will end (specifically, I know a couple of pretty significant deaths), and that will definitely impact my thoughts during my watch of the season, so I'll set those out now.

spoilers below through s2 of rop and probably some lotr spoilers

Things I know will happen by the end of the season: Celebrimbor will die; Adar will die; and Sauron is going to stab Galadriel with a black crown (Morgoth's crown, I think). I also know we're gonna get blonde elf Sauron who goes by the name Annatar.

I have also been thinking about what Galadriel said a couple of times in s1 -- thirst cannot be quenched with seawater (paraphrased). It feels significant in a way that I'm not quite certain of, in the same way that Adar saying 'only blood can bind' feels significant. So I'm just going to place it here for me to think about. It was used by Galadriel to essentially mean that an inferior substitute cannot replace what you really need, mostly in the context of revenge, iirc, but yeah. It's sticking in my head for some reason.

episode 1: I enjoyed Gandalf with Nori (and I am glad that Poppy joined them!!) and it's intriguing and I'm interested in seeing more.

I like the Harfoot stuff but never seem to have much to say about it.

Now, Sauron, I can apparently talk about forever.

I love how ep1 of season 1 was us learning Galadriel's fateful road to meeting Sauron and now we see the other side of the story! We watch Sauron's road to meeting Galadriel!

Starting with his encounter with Adar and the orcs. Now, I am spoiled about how Adar dies, so I know that the season is going to bookend between Adar killing Sauron at the start, and then Sauron killing Adar in a very similar way at the end. Knowing that... I mean, you can see the murder in Sauron's eyes when he's forced to kneel and place his feet by Adar's feet. Even if Sauron didn't already plan on killing him (he did), that moment would have sealed Adar's fate (just as the old Sauron loyalist sealed his own fate by being an asshole to the imprisoned Halbrand).

I do find it very interesting that Sauron, while being Halbrand here, is also still doing good by his people -- he arranged for the enslaved Southlanders to be freed as part of his deal with Adar.

I really liked seeing that whole backstory, because we really got to the heart of why Sauron failed to redeem himself -- being good is not a single act (he is fully capable of doing singular acts of goodness -- he does one here by getting Adar to free the enslaved Southlanders as part of his bargain) but a choice that must be made over and over "until it becomes your nature". Arondir talks about this too, when the Southlanders were considering surrendering to Adar (and some of them did) -- that going to Adar and submitting to him turns back all of the progress that their people have made over the centuries to rid themselves of Morgoth's influence. Falling prey to the temptations of power makes it more difficult to unwind that temptation from yourself later on.

The Sauron and Adar scenes were so good. First, we had original recipe Sauron's failure to convince Adar to go along with his plan (because it was obviously selfish and putting Sauron and his desires over everyone else's) vs Halbrand's success at getting Adar to go along with his plan (because he was able to frame it in a way that meant he was going to be meeting Adar's desires and helping Adar destroy his old source of fear -- by using "Sauron" as bait, which was hilarious)!

Sauron really paid attention to the cost of his original failure with Adar & the orcs. And learned how to manipulate him better this time around.

We also saw his first meeting with Galadriel from his PoV and, yeah. He definitely saw something in her from the very start. I don't think he knew what -- I stand by what I said about Sauron in my s1 wrapup -- he's an opportunist. He took the pouch of the King of the Southlands because it might be useful someday. And I think he could see something intriguing in Galadriel and was curious about it. I don't think he had any particularly concrete plans at that time. Given his conversations with the old man (Diamand?), he was interested in the concept of redemption for himself, but I think the actual day-to-day hard work of it was something that he found daunting.

We also finally really got to see more hints of him using his powers. First, there was that huge blast of power when his body 'died' -- creating a frozen wasteland at that fortress location that is still there all these years later (that's the frozen fortress that Galadriel visited in s1e01!). Holy shit, he was holding a lot of power inside his form. Brings back all the shit that the wizard ladies were telling "Sauron" (Gandalf) that he was capable of at the end of last season. Plus the actual rebuilding of a different mortal form for himself, by consuming life along the way (that poor random girl). He really is something akin to a demigod and we got to see it in this episode.

We also appeared to see him commune with beasts twice -- it seemed like he was talking to that giant sea monster (also, it seems like there's no reason to worry about Sauron ever drowning, because bro did not seem to have any worries about being sunk down in the water for a while) and he communicated with and befriended the wolf that he then used to kill the old Sauron loyalist (no, I never bothered to learn the man's name. And now I don't need to know!).

In the Elven rings storyline: Elrond was absolutely right. The rings were whispering to people from the second they were completed. The rings actively resisted being thrown into the waters and seduced Cirdan into putting one of them on instead. The rings are dangerous. Maybe a portion of Gil-galad's point is correct, now that they have come to this turning point -- if Sauron had not come back to Middle-Earth, if the mountain hadn't blown, then Gil-galad might be arguing here that they should let the matter of the rings go and leave Middle-Earth. But now that he does believe that Sauron is here, he believes they are obligated to stay to fight him (aka exactly Galadriel's reasoning for refusing to leave in 1x01!).

That one of the Rings leapt out to choose its owner (Galadriel) and called to her to put it on... that is One Ring bullshit if I've ever seen it. The Rings want to be worn. They want to be used. They promise everything that your heart desires... through them. And that's the same damn promise that Sauron gives everyone. "I can give you the power to solve your problems. Just... listen to me. I have the answers and I am willing to give them to you. Let me rule you fix it for you." And he tailors that pitch so well to the person listening, if he's had a chance to get to know them (and isn't distracted by thoughts of his upcoming glory, lol).

I noticed that Galadriel didn't confess to who Halbrand truly was until she was cornered and essentially had no choice. I understand why she hesitated -- she knew that Sauron wasn't wrong when he said that she would be blamed for bringing him back. "How will they react when they learn that Sauron lives because of you?" She knows how they'll react. And that's why she didn't tell.

He was counting on that. That if she wouldn't come to his side, she at least wouldn't want to reveal how badly she'd miscalculated in trusting him. And in doing so, she enabled him to continue his plans.

And now that the rings exist, they resist being lost. They whisper a thousand promises of power to their bearer. The elven rings may not be touched by Sauron's hand, but his promise lives in them.

In the end, not even Frodo could bear to actually destroy the One Ring. When it came to the final moment, he decided to keep it. It was only his earlier actions that created the situation that led to its destruction.

Great opener! Looking forward to the rest of the season.

My mom's big takeaway was being awed/horrified over how Sauron was able to reconstitute himself from just the blood/goo that had been left behind, and she kinda despaired/marveled at how difficult someone like that is to truly defeat. We've decided we're probably going to rewatch the LotR movies after we've caught up with s2 of RoP.

episode 2: Okay, I'll tackle Gandalf's storyline first. Once again, it's good but pretty straight-forward, so not a lot to say. I do think it's important to have on-screen, because Gandalf is the rising foil to Sauron, the Maia that we can contrast against each other. Sauron is of many names and Gandalf the Stranger is currently of none.

I think part of what we have here is the continuing paralleling of the growth between their powers as well -- Gandalf calls a duststorm but cannot control it; Sauron calls a rainstorm and controls it to perfection.

The other parts of the story are all about the continuing rise of Sauron and how he is putting pieces together to create what he views as his masterwork.

Trouble in the dwarven mountains, trouble that was caused by the volcano erupting in what used to be the Southlands. A problem has been created for the dwarves. A fear has been created.

Now... now Sauron needs to make himself the solution to that new fear that the dwarves have. He needs to make his rings the solution to their deepest fears, just like he did for the elves when he learned that they were fading.

The family plotline that we had going on with the two stubborn Durins was good, and I continue to love Durin (III) and Disa's relationship. <3

With the elves, it becomes even more clear to me how connected the elven rings are to Sauron, even if he wasn't the one who crafted them (check out Halbrand's look of joy when he's telling Celebrimbor that the elven rings have "worked wonders" -- he is thrilled that the elven rings are being used). Galadriel touches the her ring and is distracted by visions about Sauron. Gil-galad hides his own ring from sight at the implication that the rings could be dangerous. And Cirdan attempts to make the argument that limitless power is fine in the hands of the trusted and the wise... an argument that the elves are sadly aware is incorrect by the time of the LotR. The rings are dangerous because the rings are Sauron's realized promise to save the elves from fading from Middle-Earth. They are his.

Elrond is the only one we've seen so far who resisted the call of the rings. He continues to have so much moral integrity - stands up to his friends, stands up to his king, keeps his oaths, and is wary of incredible power even if it rests in trusted hands.

I note that Gil-galad is careful to redirect any... failings of falling for Sauron's deceptions to Galadriel's feet. He hides his ring when the subject comes up. It's Galadriel who is a risk, not the rings. Never the rings. This section here was also set-up for how Halbrand manipulates Celebrimbor later on -- we learn in this conversation that it's said that once Sauron deceives you fully, then he can make you see and feel what he wants. That is what he does to Celebrimbor in this episode.

Gil-galad and Galadriel are both being granted visions by the rings. Where are the visions coming from? We didn't see Gil-galad's vision but we saw Galadriel's.

In her vision, she was granted access into Sauron's plans. Seven rings for the dwarf lords. Nine rings for the mortal men. And Celebrimbor... the Celebrimbor in her vision... he blamed her for Sauron's rise. Or gave her the credit. Depending on how you look at it. In her other, shorter vision, she was shown Halbrand in Eregion. Who is showing her this? Is it truly something that her ring has unlocked inside her, as Gil-galad suggests?

We also got to see how the memory of what she shared with Halbrand still preys on her heart. "He never left," Elrond says. So, yeah, heartbroken and ashamed and certain that it must be her destiny to kill Sauron (because only that way can she prove to herself that he isn't still in her heart?).

So, you know. Galadriel is going through it right now.

Over with our boy the Deceiver... continues to be doing the most at all times. He tried to make it work as Halbrand for quite a long time, honestly. He tried to elicit sympathy and understanding and he got it... to a certain extent. But then he hit the wall of Celebrimbor's arrogance about elven superiority vs men or dwarves (but especially "corruptible" mortal men).

And so Halbrand becomes Annatar in the most over the top way anyone could imagine, holy shit. That's what Celebrimbor wants. Not a collaboration with a lowly mortal smith or king of Men. He wants to believe that the Valar, that the gods themselves think that he's the best fucking artist in the world. So good that they sent a personal envoy to give him instructions.

The way that Sauron crafts himself to fit into what his audience most desires of him is... impressive and, you know, I should say terrifying, but honestly, it's kinda hot. Fictional con artists are very attractive to me. And Sauron defaults to being a con artist before he picks violence. He prefers manipulation. He's very good at it.

My mom's feelings: she feels like he looks "more evil" as Annatar and is relieved about it, lol.

[dragon-ashes1485]

TROP s2 ep7. A rant.

Firstly, this episode has been such a joy to watch, secondly, my heart rate is concerning.

Galadriel:

I loved the scene where she was in the cage, completely ready to die, because she wants to make things right. The scene with Celebrimbor was fantastic, at any moment I expected it to actually be Sauron, but the gentle way she talks to him and held his face like a child broke my heart. Phenomenal acting on both sides and the music was also amazing. Her kindness towards Arondir broke me. Her advising him against seeking out Adar was pure irony given her hunt against Sauron.

Galadriel sneaking around in that orc cloak was so stressful, even though we know she lives.

She seems kinder than in previous episodes, perhaps a result of no longer being around the ring? Or maybe she's just realising everything is going wrong. Either way, can't wait to see where her character goes next.

Elrond:

This guy. I loved how at first he looked ready for battle, but that he was also terribly afraid. But something seemed to switch in his character when his horse was killed and his pure anger there really shocked me. Also absolute savage for sending that orc flying.

I would like to take a moment to admire that he pauses to briefly mourn his horse.

The stunts that he performed are insane in this episode, and I love how Arondir keeps him safe throughout the later part of the battle.

"Durin will come" was such an important part to me, Elrond really looks like a young boy, as if he were sat on the beach during the third kinslaying again. I think the way that was portrayed was breathtaking.

And how he sits, looking up at Adar, completely ready to give in, broke me, he is utterly defeated. He has been abandoned once more (I know there were reasons but that's probably how Elrond feels). He then tries to stab Adar, but it is clear from where he aims for that he doesn't want to kill Adar, he wants to hurt him. His sigh when Adar got the ring kind of made me laugh, he's so done with all this crap.

I can't wait to see the aftermath of this.

Minor characters:

Camnir: so glad he was not in this episode or I would have cried.

Vorohil: please let this guy live. I will be sad.

Rian: I am sad. But absolute props to her for that savage arrow in her final moments.

Narvi: he just watched his kin be killed by his own king...let Narvi be ok.

Celebrimbor:

Ow. I hurt. Charles Edwards is an absolute gem, no he may not "look right" for Celebrimbor, but his potrayal of Celebrimbors descent was amazing.

Also, props to the set team for the scene where the forge transforms into its true state.

He tries so hard to fight against Sauron, he literally cuts his own thumb off. His own. Thumb. And when he's caught by the guards, he tries so hard to explain. I was so scared they'd just hand him back to Sauron until Galadriel showed her face.

I feel like I need to mention Mirdania. She was another product of Sauron's deception. Her death was horrifying and...I just can't even. Her naivety to believe "Annatar" about Celebrimbor, a man she greatly admired, was so sad, and then for her to spend her last moments believing that Celebrimbor had killed her? Ouch.

Celebrimbor tried so hard to escape, only to do what a true lord of Eregion would do, return to the only place he could protect it from, and the place he had just escaped. His bravery really shines through, and in the end it is he who comforts Galadriel.

ps: shot on the left is fantastic.

Sauron:

Still a bitch. But now with Darth Vader powers for some reason. Probably about to destroy Alderaan. I have no more to say.

Adar:

Yea I'm expecting a full orc rebellion next episode. He doesn't care as much as he did about his children which is why they were loyal to him in the first place. Glûg stayed behind when the others went to fight so I think that says a lot. It'll be interesting to see where that goes. I also hate him now because Arondir.

Durin:

Durin's speech was so middle-earthy I loved it. And then it goes to shit. I love that he got Narvi on side. The scene where he sees Elrond again means so much to me, there has not been enough of these two in this series and I really hope ep8 rectifies that, particularly after what happened (or rather, didn't happen) on the battlefield.

I love that Durin admires Elrond's new hair, as he should, it is fabulous. ALSO WHERE IS DISA. I swear if Disa dies, then I do too.

Look at this dwarf in his element. Also eff his dad, his dad is a prick.

He's really starting to come into his own, fighting against the evil. And you can see later how much his father's actions hurt him because not only does it mean he can't aid Eregion, but his father has killed dwarves. His own kind.

Amazon, please be kind to Durin next episode.

Gil-Galad:

Not much to say except from look at this boi in all his regalia. Love it when you see a monarch actually in the fighting, makes you like them. Especially as Gil-Galad has not been the most likeable chap this series.

Arondir:

Anyone needs me, I will be crying. That's all I have to say.

Overall thoughts on episode:

Battle sequence was 10/10. The effort put into this show amazes me. Fantastic acting from everyone, namely Charles Edwards, Charlie Vickers, Robert Aramayo and Morfydd Clark (ok fine, everyone). Well done to all the stunt horses as well, such good horses. Bear McCreary's soudntrack shone this episode, including so many characters themes. Also the last ballad of Damrod in the credits!

I am both anticipating and dreading next episode. What will happen with Celebrimbor? And what of Khazad-Dum? How will Adar use the ring? And will we need a box of tissues?

[classicanalyzer]

Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Premiere Thoughts

"I have walked through the dust and deserts of far-away lands, in search of an artist possessing the craft to save all Middle-Earth. A storm is coming, Celebrimbor. I can bring you the knowledge none other possesses. I can unlock your grandest abilities. And when our work is complete, never again will the world overlook you as the mere scion of Fëanor but forevermore revere you...The Lord of the Rings." Sauron/Annatar

Season 2 really improved on the aspects of S1 I found lacking. There are more connections to the lore of the Second Age and better writing in the stories from S1. The production design of this show has always looked amazing, but this season really nails it. The practical Orc designs is always great to see. What a great premiere.

Elven Kings Under the Sky

"Always, after a defeat... the shadow takes another shape and grows again. Morgoth is gone. Leaving us alone and disgraced. But today, a new age begins. Under me. Your new master. Sauron. And with a new age, I bring a new vision. A path to unconditional conquest. For I seek a new kind of power. Not of the flesh, but over flesh. A power of the unseen world. One we shall use to enslave the peoples of Middle-earth to our very will. Many Orcs will die. But out of the chaos, we will forge a new and perfect order. No longer will we be hunted as the demons who broke Middle-earth, but rather worshipped as the saviors who finally healed it. By bringing its peoples together, to rule them all as one!" Sauron

I find it funny how Sauron was this out-of-touch wannabe ruler who nonetheless shows why he's feared as he killed a treasonous Orc. This Sauron is a player who didn't invest any points into charisma lmao.

It says a lot about a being when freaking Orcs (one of the most famous examples of corrupted evil mooks) revolt against Sauron. I really like how this show makes you emphasize the Orcs and how Adar was a caring ruler for the Orcs and wanted the best for them. This is especially compared to Sauron who just outright told them they must obey him and they're a race who are meant to be hated.

It's fascinating to see how much the prologue of S2 parallels the prologue of S1 between Sauron and Galadriel. And of course, Sauron chose selfishness just as Diarmid, the kind old man, telling him that he can choose to be good each day until he's good all day. It also shows how Sauron once again loves to lie and twist the truth.

I really love Elrond for understandably being the only one to distrust the rings. I also like the strained relationship between Galadriel and the rest of the Elves even further, except this time they have to work with her since she's the one who got them into this mess. Also, that beautiful shot (the screenshot for this episode's thoughts) is an amazing piece of visual storytelling. It conveys a sense of underlying sadness for Círdan that I can feel.

The Three Elven Rings are finally used (Gil-Galad is a great singer ngl) and we will have to see the greater ramifications and consequences of their use.

The Stranger's deadpan snarker humor is pretty funny to see. I'm also glad Poppy is a part of the duo now, she and Nori have a pretty wholesome dynamic.

The orchestral reprisal of Wandering Day (Warning in the Words) is mesmerizing. It's such a great payoff and a heartwarming reminder that while Sadoc is gone, he continues to help his fellow Harfoots in death.

Where the Stars are Strange

"You are wise to fear this power, Elrond. But do not let that fear blind you to the ways it can be used for good. For it is not your enemy, that bear these rings...But your most trusted friends. If you believe they have strayed, do not abandon them, but rather open their eyes and guide them...Before the darkness spreads across Middle-earth, and blinds us all." Círdan.

I really love the updated intro for this show as the grain of sand shifts to the music. But now we see red grain as the darkness of Mordor (the red sand at one point "erupting") and Sauron begins to spread. It really sets the stage for the dark times ahead for Middle-earth. The logo is now less shiny and more rusted.

The opening for this episode is so chilling with Celebrimbor's impending death. I just wonder if the show is going to adapt Sauron's brutal killing of Celebrimbor and show his corpse if they adapt the Siege of the Grey Havens.

Durin IV and Dísa continue to be one of the sweetest and wholesome couples in Middle-earth and this show. I love how they support each other at Durin's lowest point. Seeing Khazad-dûm's lights dim is so chilling and it just further sets the ground for the eventual Durin's Bane to come. When Dísa and the singers fail to communicate with the mountain, it really shows how the darkness is beginning seep in everywhere.

Círdan has a great speech about how despite the origins of something with the potential for evil, it can be used for good...but that they must ever be vigilant, not let fear dominate them, and watch over their friends to ensure they stay on the right path.

I find it funny how Elrond agrees to help out Galadriel...but puts himself in charge of the mission. It shows how far their friendship had fallen and Elrond's distrust in Galadriel's ability to resist Sauron.

The Rhûn theme absolutely slaps so hard. It really captures the wonders of the desert really well.

Sauron knows exactly how to use his injuries to make himself sympathetic. He's a clever evil bastard alright.

At this point, the Stranger has to be Gandalf. I wonder who the Dark Wizard is tho. I hope the Dweller Acolyte gets more to do in this season.

The reveal of Annatar, the definition of the devil in angel's clothing, was so well done. He really knows presentation alright by making his entrance the most flashy dramatic reveal ever lol. I felt legit chills when he did a title drop with the Rings theme playing forbiddingly. The whole scene felt like a Renaissance painting come to life and at that point, I totally got how Annatar basically had Celebrimbor at his fingertips. The whole Annatar name reveal was so satisfying to hear.

The Eagle and the Sceptre

"And yet...the grief of Númenor is sacred to me. Your pain, a prayer within these walls. I hear your sorrow, and your anger. I share it. We have bloodied and been bloodied. But know this... We will find our course. Should there be another among us who feels moved to speak...firstly ask yourself this, for whom do you cry out? For those we have already buried? For your kingdom? Or for yourself?" Míriel

Nothing bad should happen to Berek, one of the best characters of the show haha. Also, Isildur fighting against Shelob is pretty cool. It says a lot about how he longs to go back home now...though given the episode, it may seem like he might not be able to go back home.

I really love Valandil standing up for the Queen and he's becoming one of my favorite side characters of the show. He represents the soldiers who know what it was like in the battle compared to the politicians who use their suffering and the deaths of their peers for their own persona selfish agenda. I really hope he survives Númenor's downfall.

Some of the rhetoric of the pro-Pharazôn faction echoes the sentiment of people post-WW1 of the pointlessness and/or failures of the war. And one such latter group would go on to create one of the most monstrous regimes in human history, just like how Pharazôn's reign as King will become one of the most monstrous regimes in Middle-earth history.

Elendil's relationship with Eärien is going to be fascinating going forward as the two seem to be on opposing sides. It's ironic how in the show, one of Elendil's children began the downfall of Númenor while his other child caused Sauron to live onto the Third Age.

I never thought I would see a wholesome Orc family nor hear heavy metal in Middle-earth and you love to see it. I find it absolutely hilarious that the hill troll is voiced by Gil-Gilad's actor (I wonder if Gil-Gilad and the hill troll will fight each other...that would be so funny).

I absolutely love how Durin IV becomes the first character of this season to realize Annatar's untrustworthy nature because he knew that Elrond would never compliment him like that. The fact Durin IV knew that speaks a lot about their friendship.

I knew smth was fishy about Estrid but for a split moment, I thought maybe she was alright.

I know the death of Bronwyn is due to her actress Nazanin Boniadi stepping away from the show, and it's such a gut punch to see Arondir and Theo revert a bit from their character growth as they both grieve. You can feel that Arondir wants to help Theo but Arondir's reversion back to stoicism to cope and Theo's grieving prevents the two from bonding further.

The story of how Isildur's mother died and how she saved her son's life at the cost of her own...and how Isildur didn't tell anyone because of his own guilt. I really love how Theo emphasized this story given how his mother just died and all the way back in S1, Theo already felt guilty for how the Southlands became Mordor. Isildur's motivations for wanting to do something worthy are now revealed to be his idea to make up for his mother's sacrifice.

Never mess with Ents. Nuff said.

It took a rewatch but I find it funny that the Eagle, a sign of a bad omen in Númenor, looked like it was trying to say "No you idiots don't put Pharazôn into power!" and then left when it became clear Numenor chose its fate. The music especially is incredibly chilling for one simple reason: the main theme of Númenor is still the same. There's a minor key shift but it's still the same theme used for Pharazôn. This really spells the end of Númenor even before the Island will inevitably sink. The red of the future that Pharazôn will lead Númernor is one of blood and horrors.

[bamsywrites]

So I just read the tooth-rotting incredible chapter 11 of And Comes Dawn.

He's made three rings. One of them is for Galadriel. On a scale from 1-10. How heartbroken/furious is the reader gonna be when she finds out that he made a ring for Galadriel.

Speaking of I keep trying to think of how Galadriel and reader would become friends. Because I feel that with how cruel Galadriel has been to reader that is a friendship that would be hard won but at the same time when she finds out he's Sauron and she's heartbroken I feel like Galadriel would be the one to embrace her and fix her hair and say, ''He's not worth your tears, he's worth your rage...and though he loves you dearly he fucked up and you need to show him that's no ok." I kind of also feel that maybe Galadriel would be the one to tell reader not to feel guilty that she's still in love with him after everything.

'And if you were what was at the end, there was no depravity he could not justify'. - Oh my heart! I LOVE that she's endgame for him. Like he's just so in love. It makes me fuzzy and warm.

"He'd seen the most beautiful of the elves, the Silmarils, the light of creation. Yet you were greater than them all.' - Yep. Definitely in love.

'he way you looked up at him, seeking his approval, it mirrored the expression you wore when you were on your knees begging for him. His fingers tightened on your hips, restraining from taking you on the table.' - erm. I need to see this. I need to see this now. They're just so smitten and insatiable.

'“Perhaps one day, if we are parted, I will wear it as a reminder of you when my heart yearns for you.”' - NOOOOOOO. PLEASE. The fact that you've set up that he's yearning for her when he goes on his little power trip in Eregion just breaks my heart. He just misses her. He NEEDS his sweet one. Oh, but what if they met on the battlefield at Eregion and he refused to fight her and she's still wearing his ring (and his heart leaps) but she sees the hair bow and she calls him Mairon and they stare at one another for a second and then just melt into one another's arms because fuck this. They're in love.

'“I don't intend to ever be parted from you,” he whispered softly, tucking your hair behind your ears. “I mean it.”' - NEITHER DO I DARLING. So I have questions about the ring (I've also just read Chapter 12) will he be able to feel her if she's pregnant. Just because I'm imagining immense jealousy that it's not his child, heartbreak because evil kicked puppy eyes cannot bear to think she's lain with another man (isildur is in for hell btw) and also would she be able to feel him in return (like when Adar is hurting him would she be able to feel him, to reach out and comfort him)? Not to mention if she gets physically hurt and he's not there would he be able to feel it? I'm also imagining the psychotic and emotional breakdown of the day she accidentally takes that ring off so she can have a bath or something just because he can't feel her. GODS these two need a happy ending.

THAT proposal speech! He's a stuttering mess. It was exquisite and touching and beautiful and he means it. He really means it. Honestly I love them together. So happy for the updates. You're writing and this story is amazing you've tempted me to be brave and start writing my own Sauron fics. Hope you have a good weekend and I can't wait for more.

P.S. I kind of can't wait for her to see him as Annatar. He's so handsome I question how she'll resist. Also it would interesting to find out if they get married or something would that turn her immortal/or into an elf or something because there's no way in hell he's ever living without her.

He's so pretty I want to cry.

Hes a very gorgeous man honestly who can blame reader for falling for him.

Thank you for your feed back!! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. He really does love her and he really believes he's doing what's right by her. It's just that his idea of right is so warped and he is still willing to do plenty of evil for the sake of his Sweet One.

So to answer your questions:

For Galadriel,

Sweet one is going to be so distraught in general that finding out about the ring is not going to affect her too much. Their friendship is for sure hard won, I need to write it but I still feel I don't capture Galadriel all that well. These might be some like minor spoilers, but it's actually Elendil that says something to her about it. Basically Sweet One, who wants to stay in Numenor for the new beginning it offers, instead goes back to Middle Earth because she feels obligated to help the people and soldiers. Elendil brings this up to Galadriel and basically just calls her out for holding reader to this impossible standard. The relationship evolves from there and they do become very close friends, to the point that there's a statue in Lothlorien dedicated to Galadriels sweet friend.

For the ring,

Sauron will be able to know some of that. With the ring he hasn't perfected it yet to the point that he'd know everything but it does create a link so he can visit her in her dreams. That's how he'd know. It creates this beacon for that connection even if she doesn't wear it on her finger. She will need to wear it for the healing properties to work. If she's wearing it, he can feel if she has intense emotions and if she's hurt in any way but she can't feel him. That is a vulnerability he's not willing to give. He's vulnerable on his terms, when he wants and he may love her but he's not going to be that open with her.

There are so many psychological break downs to come lol.

Now, I have a question for you and some other readers.

What if love is not enough? What if his darkness too great, what if her morals too strong? What if the most angsty part of this series is that things still unfold the same way and evil prevails in Sauron?

[spaceorphan18]

So beside being invested what did you think about Rings of Power? I really loved it and I can't wait for S2! :)

Oh, hi Nonny! I'm sorry I'm behind on answering asks. I hope you're still around - because I do love talking about Tolkien, and I don't get to do it a whole lot here!

So - yes, I'm interested, and I thought it was much better than I worried it would be. I still has some issues though that I hope they work on.

Okay, story stuff behind the cut in case people don't want to be spoiled. And because I'm wordy, as usual.

****

I'm mostly going to break this down by character/story arc

Galadriel - I liked her a lot more than general consensus, but I do understand the concerns. There's a lot of room in Tolkien's canon to let Galadriel be whatever the story needs her to be. What they made her be, however, is mostly an angry, aggressive, and static character. I don't blame the actress -- she's doing great with some questionable script writing. I'm fine with her wanting revenge, but they're swinging wildly on this one note, and really need to give her more depth and nuance moving forward.

(Also /what/ was that dark scene where she threatened Adar? I mean why go that far?)

Halbrand/Sauron - Okay, I love LOVE the idea of what they did here more than the actual execution. This is one of those times where the show was trying to have its cake and eat it too. They were trying to walk this line -- making him seem like he could be a real lost king, or someone who was going to be the Nazgul, and wanted to play up the mystery of who Sauron was but... they could have spent a lot more time letting us in on the secret, and letting him be way more manipulative than he actually was. I feel like it was /such/ a missed opportunity to not have him just be sinister, or at least unsettling, the whole way through.

I also think there was a missed opportunity not to have him spend more time with the Elves (as he does in canon) teaching them how to make their rings. It was weird to me that it was, like, a half episode.

Loved the actor (kudos to having him have the whole Aragorn feel to him). Loved the scene between he and Galadriel in the last episode -- so, so good. And I'm really glad they didn't try to force some weird kind of romance there, and instead were opting for two sides of a similar coin kind of thing.

Again - interested to see where they go with this -- will they stick to canon and have him involved in the fall of Numenor?

Elendil, Ilsildur, and Numenor - Look, we know how this ends - with Numenor sinking into the sea and Elendil and Ilsildur creating the last alliance (with the Elves) to defeat Sauron. I think there's a good start here -- both with Elendil and Ilsildur and with the beginnings of the fall of Numenor. I can't say this was the most interesting part of the show, but it does have potential for getting some really fascinating fantasy politics going.

Celebrimbor, Gil-Galad, and the Elves - Out of all the places we've been, the land of the Elves feels kind of limited, and I wish they'd expand the scope here a little. Celebrimbor isn't like I thought he'd be, but that's okay -- I do wish we had more of him though. Gil-Galad feels so stiff and undeveloped. Let him expand his role a bit.

Elrond - Yes, I love him and everything about him. No complaints. Let's give him more to do in upcoming seasons.

The Dwarves - This was pretty well done. Even if there were some huge departs to canon (There should only be one Durin at a time) I think this might be the strongest story line in the show. I loved Elrond and Durin's friendship. I also loved Dessa - and how she's somewhat a Lady MacBeth character. The characterization in these plot lines feels like it was handled the best.

The whole Mithril being the Elves' savior thing -- *sigh* Look, I know they're limited because they don't get the Silmarillion, and it's causing some strange things to happen. And I'm not a Tolkien purist - I'm fine with changes but... wtf?? Mithril was somehow created from the Silmarils and a balrog and... no. Stop. Stop explaining it.

The Southlands - I was a little worried at first, because all of the characters here were original ones. While I really did not care about the romance between the Elf dude and the Southlander woman, overall, I think what they did here was pretty good. The tension during this story line was pretty well done, and the characters weren't nearly as annoying as I feared they might be.

I still feel like the kid has some part to play -- will he become a great king of men and become one of the nazgul? That'd be a twist, huh?

I also kind of loved the eruption of Mt. Doom -- though another missed opportunity not having the Southlands change to Mordor on the map.

Adar - I actually loved this character -- because he struck on some of the lore actually from canon, and made him a sympathetic villain. Idk, I just thought it was cool what they did with him. The orcs, too, were rather well done -- and much more menacing than in the original trilogy, tbh.

The Stranger - I love Wizards, I really do. I think they spent too much time making us wonder if it was Sauron, though, when it clearly wasn't. All signs point to Gandalf, which would be.. I get it, even if Gandalf wasn't in the third age. They have room to tell the story of one of the blue wizards, which would at least be a neat twist. I also kind of wonder if he's Saruman - because that'd be even more unexpected. I suppose we'll see. I do hope, though, he has more interaction with the others, though, because this plot line was so disjointed that it kind of felt annoying to go back to it.

The Hobbits - *sigh* This is where I'm confused - in canon, there are three factions of Hobbits and the Fallohides are the ones that are wanderers, not the Harfoots. Nothing about these Harfoots resembled what we know about them in canon, so why not make them Fallohides? I don't get it.

Anyway... when I heard they were bringing Hobbits into the mix, I kind of groaned. It was better than I thought it'd be, but still not great. They were just kinda dumb -- and it was their own fault they kept getting killed by the stranger. Nori drove me crazy. Oops. (Also - holy Elijah Wood look alike with this actress.)

Some other things --

The LotR references - as someone who loves Easter Eggs and callbacks, even I was getting a little bit tired of them. They were going out of their way to pay so much homage to the original trilogy that I felt like it was trying too hard.

the cinematography is gorgeous. It is the most expensive TV show ever filmed, and it shows. I hope that push back about the show doesn't cause Amazon (or who ever is funding it) to cut the budget on this - because omg, is it beautiful.

The score was fantastic - yes, good, goes in with the wonderful cinematography

The show has some pacing issues. Some plot lines drag on too much. Others are rushed.

Also, as reviewers mentioned - some of the dialogue is really awkward and just plain weird.

So.... are they going to show the making of the other rings? Are they going to show the downfall of men into the Nazgul? How's the fall of Numenor going to go? Will they expand into the east and south? There's a lot of story to tell yet -- I'm hoping they listen to some feedback about this first season and try to improve upon it. There's a lot of potential here, and I want to see it grow into an even better show!

Those be my thoughts! Thanks for asking Nonny!

[aureentuluva70]

Spoilers for Ep 6 of Rings of Power, Udun:

Wow.

Just...Wow.

I really enjoyed watching this episode. Probably one of my favorites so far. It's just...beautiful. The fight choreography, the cinematography, and that cliffhanger of an ending! I can't stop thinking about it. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

This entire episode reminded me so much of the Battle for Helm's Deep from the Two Towers, which has to be one of the greatest battle sequences in all of cinema. The whole battle is extremely well done, even if quite gruesome at times. I truly cannot count just how many things I love about this episode, but I will try to focus on a few of those things.

First and foremost, and obviously the most important:

ARONDIR AND BRONWYN FINALLY KISSED!!!!!

AND HE BASICALLY PROPOSED TO HER AT THE SAME TIME!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰💕💕💕💕💕!!!

(Oh, and a nice Yavanna reference too, even if she wasn't referenced by name)

The scene with Bronwyn and Theo had me legit tearing up. It matches almost perfectly the passage from Return of the King, and has to be one of my favorite parts of the book. "In the end, this shadow is but a passing thing. There is light and high beauty forever beyond its reach. Find the Light, and the shadow will not find you."

I loved the battle, although I wish it wasn't as, well, gorey. Like, did they really have to show us that orc blood is black by it literally gushing out of the dude's eye? Did they really have to show us the torturous process by which they're trying to heal Bronwyn's wounds? I kinda wish I hadn't seen that, even if we did get a nice little family moment between Theo, Arondir and Bronwyn.

Oh, and I absolutely adore Isildur's bond with his father, and am glad to see that Aragorn is indeed descended from a long line of horse girls lol.

But its the scene with Adar and Galadriel in the barn that has to be one of my most favorite(and the part I'm going to ramble about the most) scenes in this episode. For one, it's when we learn just who Adar really is. He is indeed one of the first elves ever twisted into orcs by Morgoth, making him one of the oldest characters in this show. Galadriel calls them Moriandor, meaning "Sons of the Dark". So the orcs he leads and calls his Children may very well be his literal blood descendants. (I gotta admit, Im pretty proud of myself for getting that one right)Not only that but he apparently split Sauron's body open because he did not want to sacrifice any more of his children for Sauron's aspirations?! This is the kind of stuff that's got me so invested in this series. I don't care what you think about the show, you have to admit the writers killed it when it comes to exploring the nature of orcs.

But aside from the Adar reveal, the scene actually reminds me somewhat of the Athrabeth in that it's a philosophocal debate between two people and an exchange of beliefs. In this case, it's a debate about the origin of orcs, their nature and their place in the world. I find the whole thing extremely clever in that it addresses how Tolkien couldn't decide on the origins of the orcs. At first they were written as purely evil and created by Morgoth, only for Tolkien to realize that it wouldn't make any sense given his philosophy of "The Shadow can only mock it cannot make" and that only Iluvatar can create life. He went through multiple different possible origin stories for the orcs, from corrupted elves to corrupted men, but he never really decided or stated which one he preferred. Galadriel and Adar's debate on orcs and their place in the world is just such a clever way of acknowledging the many contradictory writings of Tolkien on many different matters.

Adar represents the side who believes(and the side that Tolkien seems to prefer)that the orcs are living beings, and thus creations of Iluvatar who are deserving of life and a home of their own. Adar seeks only to create a new home for his "children" where the orcs can live and thrive in. While his methods of bringing that reality about are certainly questionable, it's honestly quite a noble cause, and one anyone can sympathize with. I wouldn't exactly say he's a good person, but you can't deny the thing he is fighting for is pretty darn selfless compared to the things that Morgoth and Sauron fought for.

But in Galadriel we see something very different. We see perhaps the most hateful, cruel, vengeful and bloodthirsty part of her we've gotten so far in the series.

I think this scene shows better than any other just how far into darkness Galadriel has ventured. Just how badly she's allowed her obsession with hunting down Sauron to twist her. This Galadriel makes Adar look like a Saint in comparison. I found this on reddit made by someone who was reminded of a certain dark lord and you'll see what I mean:

Talk about cruel.

Like lady, if you seriously think you can say things like that and still think yourself the good guy, no matter how good you believe your cause to be, no wonder Gil Galad feared you would cause more harm than good. This lady's acting like a sadistic, genocidal maniac. And we can't help but nod our heads at the response Adar gives.

"It would seem I'm not the only Elf alive who has been transformed by darkness. Perhaps your search for Morgoth's successor should have ended in your own mirror."

Ouch.

Absolutely obliterated in just two sentences. Hit em' where it hurts, as they say.

And the worst part? It's all true.

Galadriel has become so blinded by revenge and hatred, she has fallen so far into the dark she's failed to recognize just who she's become. And Adar's mention of a mirror reminds me of ep 1, when in the ice fortress Galadriel finds herself looking at her own reflection in the ice, only to punch through it and find evil there.

She certainly seems to feel bad about it later, and perhaps it's this moment when Galadriel really begins her transformation from a bloodthirsty warrior to the wise sorceress we come to know from Fotr. And of course the crushing defeat at the very end may very well speed up that transformative process.

Speaking of the end-

That is all.

[laoih]

Review of "The Rings of Power": Episode 5

Part 2: Lack of coherence

It can be easily shown why The Rings of Power fails as an adaptation, and I have spoken about one of these aspects in the first part of the review.

But what is almost more disappointing is that it fails as its own story as well. If you watch it without much thought it may be entertaining, but on closer inspection the holes in this series' logic become very visible.

In this episode, the The Rings of Power moves through five different plotlines: Galadriel & Halbrand in Númenor, Isildur in Númenor, Elrond & Co. in Lindon, Arondir & Bronwyn (and Adar) in the Southlands, and the Harfoots. Unfortunately, none of these storylines receive the attention and care that they need. Even removed from Tolkien, the storylines continue to make no sense on their own.

The show can look pretty, but unfortunately the writing is bad.

Let's start with the positive...

...because that won't take long.

The show had some nice visuals once more – like the Stranger looking up to the stars, or Elrond looking up to the stars. Generally, the evening atmosphere in Lindon was nicely set up.

Story-wise I liked in this episode was:

Exploring how and why some Men side with the Orcs, and the guilt that may come with that. So far it's only a superficial exploration because the plot to explore this lies with the people in the Southlands, while the emotional part is hinted at by Halbrand. This could be interesting if done right. It's barely used potential, and I don't really trust the show to do it any justice. But at least it's a good idea in theory.

Poppy's and Nori's song is sweet and fits: Tolkien's work is full of music, and the Hobbits are known to sing songs during walks. There is also a nice callback to the line of "not all those who wander are lost". I would enjoy the reference even more if the show was actually revering Tolkien's work and not ignore, break or twist it as they have done it in this episode, as I have pointed out in part 1 of this review.

Pharazôn gets a scene with his son that lays out his motivation a bit more.

Arondir and Theo have a scene together that was quite nice for both of their characters, and Theo finally shows his evil sword to someone. I've been waiting for this ever since he found it, and I'm glad this isn't dragged out any longer.

A nice scene. But how did Arondir get his armour back?

Galadriel has a bit of a more honest emotional moment when she speaks with Halbrand, and in theory this could be a good moment. However, I only mention it because it is technically a good idea. In reality, a) I no longer care for Galadriel as a character in this show and so therefore the moment doesn't work, b) it is set in context of Gil-galad's dumb storyline and is therefore buildt on nonsense and c) within the scene she still tries to manipulate Halbrand and continues to be annoying. Too little, too late.

Now on to the stupid part of the show...

The Lindon plot:

Gil-galad's non-existent logic

This is directly connected to the dumb lore break that I've pointed out in the first part. I'll try to sum up the situation from his perspective as it's presented by the show:

Gil-galad noticed the blight upon the tree and takes it as an "outer manifestation of [the] inner reality" that the light of the Eldar is fading.

This was first noticed shorty before Galadriel had returned from her expedition.

Gil-galad then assumed that Galadriel's unrest and search for Sauron were the reason for this decline and so he send her away in the hope that this would stop the decay.

However, it seems that he wasn't too convinced that this would work, because right after Galadriel had left he sent Elrond to Celebrimbor, who was also aware of the issue.

We have to assume that at this point Gil-galad already suspected that the Dwarves had found mithril, and that it might help against the decline.

So his plans with Elrond have had to look like this: if Celebrimbor gives him a deadline for his tower, Elrond will reach out to the Dwarves he is friends with and then start spying on them, so that eventually Gil-galad can confirm his suspicion about the mithril.

Amazon's Gil-galad is among the worst characters of this show.

This whole train of thought is stupid. And it wouldn't even get Gil-galad any closer to the mithril. In fact, I believe asking for it openly would be a more sensible step. There has been no sign that the Dwarves are in any way hostile or especially cruel, so would they deline to help the Elves and all of them to die even though they could have helped? Surely not. So why didn't Gil-galad ask? Noone knows.

Furthermore, when speaking with Elrond, Gil-galad argues that without the Elves, "the armies of darkness will march over the face of the earth". So if Gil-galad accepts the existance of these armies, why send Galadriel away? Why wouldn't he consider their existence to be a reason for the decline? And how are the Elves are supposed to stop these armies, if even as little as Galadriel's expedition is already suspected of causing the blight on the tree? And did Gil-galad know that there are armies of darkness out there and still declared peace? How are the Elves supposed to protect Middle-earth if they turn a blind eye to the approaching darkness?

Or does Gil-galad still believe there is no evil in Middle-earth and they can truly have peace now? Why would he then worry about the fate of Middle-earth if there is no threat? What are they supposed to fight?

Gil-galad is holding two contradicting opinions at once, and it just doesn't work and undermine this whole plotline. It simply creates artificial drama, but does not work as a story at all.

Elrond's oath

This storyline was one of the aspect I kind of liked so far, because oaths have significance in Tolkien's stories and it was nice that the show was addressing that.

Unfortunately it was only nice until they completely butchered the implementation of this topic in this episode:

First there is the forced drama about Gil-galad wanting Elrond to break his oath just to confirm that the Dwarves have mithril. It's stupid because it's unnecessary: Gil-galad already suspects that the Dwarves have found it, and Elrond simply didn't want to confirm or deny it. But even if Elrond did it wouldn't change anything – Gil-galad wouldn't be any closer to actually getting the mithril. So with the knowledge that there might be mithril in Moria he could just inform Elrond that they need it in case it exists, and based on this information Elrond can take his own actions, just as he actually did. There is no reason at all for Elrond to break his oath, and for Gil-galad to demand it is stupid.

But it gets worse because Elrond actually and casually breaks his oath, and the show isn't even aware of it. Elrond when swearing his oath said that noone but him would hear what Durin said to him, yet he gave Celebrimbor the small piece of mithril that he had, along with the information that it's mithril and where it's coming from.

"Here, Celebrimbor. this is the ore that I'm not supposed to talk about."

And then he still wonders whether or not he should break his oath or doom his people? It's too late to ask that question because healready broke the oath when telling Celebrimbor about the mithril. And with that, the whole plotline about the oath goes down the drain.

And last but not least: this is the second time that Celebrimbor randomly brings up Elrond's father. It starts to annoy me because as before if doesn't really make any sense nor does it further Celebrimbor's character. It feels either like a setup for something later on (in which case it's a poorly written setup because if doesn't feel organic in the context of the scene) or it's some form of manipulation that Celebrimbor is doing with Elrond... in which case it's still confusing.

The Númenor plot:

Where to start...

Galadriel, as always, is the biggest issue in the Númenorean plotlines. This time, it's her repulsive attempts to manipulate and control Halbrand:

She constantly tries to tell him what to do and what to think, what his desires for his future should be an how he should find his inner peace, disregarding how she spent centuries on trying to find peace and failed. She uses him and his country as a motivation for Míriel and Pharazôn to fight against the Orcs and then tries to frame it as Halbrand using her. Once she no longer gets around with her lies and needs Halbrand actually to work with her, she apologises to him only out of calculation: she wants him to cooperate, so she tries to play nice for a little while. Her "sorry" is quickly followed by a "help me".

Why Halbrand is still even talking to Galadriel is a mystery.

There is one moment where they come to speak more about her, and the scene came close to her having some self-realisation, but in the end still don't get any real answer as to why she cannot stop fighting. She notes that her soldiers mutinied against her, that her "closest friend" and her king exiled her, and that apparently she has touched so much darkness that those people around her can "no longer distinguish [her] from the evil [she] was fighting". But is this realisation followed by any consequences? No, she stays on her path of touching darkness to find the light, on her path to continue fighting.

Now granted: Orcs are really out there, and since Gil-galad's plot makes no sense, the impact his plotline has on Galadriel makes no sense either. It's not wrong to oppose the "armies of darkness", but it's stupid to assume that it will bring her peace if it hasn't done that for centuries. I also resent the idea of touching darkness to find the light: according to Galadriel it's currently doing more harm than good in relation to her own people, and generally it's just a really bad advice? There are many dangers and temptations in Middle-earth that cannot be avoided, but the wise usually can be recognised because they can recognise evil when it presents themselves. At least that is what Tolkien's wise characters did: reject the One Ring because they knew it would lead them on a dark path.

According to the try-and-error motto of Amazon's Galadriel, she would have taken the One Ring when Frodo offers it to her, and indeed become a dark queen.

Maybe this character will develop in future seasons, but in this first season she is the worst kind of main character they could have gone for.

I also want to mention the fight scene for a moment: it surely was better than her other fight scenes so far, but it was completely pointless: we didn't learn anything about her character or about the other characters involved, and at best it showed us that the Númenorean army is a joke. It seemed to be in there only to once again show the audience how awesome Galadriel apprently is, but I'm not buying it. A thousands of years olf Elf against some noobs – this is not impressive.

Halbrand is now both a smith and a lord. For the smithing he got a crest for after telling Pharazôn in prison where Galadriel would go, and he is recognised as a lord because Galadriel found a king's crest that matches the mark that Halbrand carries around.

This development is barely addressed and can only be taken from a few remarks of Halbrand, Galadriel and Míriel. It's a jump in this character's story, but considering all the other flaws the episode has this is a rather minor issue.

What bothers me, however, is that everyone just takes this development without any further questions. Halbrand has denied being a king, yet Galadriel insists on it. Míriel believes Galadriel in this, but hasn't talked to Halbrand about it since Galadriel keeps interrupting. They get Halbrand's intel about the Orcs in the Southlands, and rely on it for their war planning. Nobody questions how he got out on the sea or why he didn't warn anyone about it. They don't actually know anything about him but what he tells them and what Galadriel assumes, yet they build an entire expedition on his intel.

I still don't know what to think of this character.

Because here is the thing: Halbrand implies that he has done horrible things that he would like to forget, maybe including collaboration with Orcs. But this once again hints at the Orcs being around for quite some time now, and yet nobody has warned anyone – not the Elves in Ostirith nor the other human villages in the Southlands.

How does "evil being a thing of the past" and Halbrand's horrible past fit together? I mean, assuming that he is his own character and not Sauron? It really doesen't, and Halbrand telling Galadriel "I'm sorry. For your brother. For all of it." just once more hints at him being Sauron – or once again a red herring.

Isildur's plot is just painful to watch. I suppose they want to paint him in a very bad light, so they are succeeding in what they are doing. But they aren't good at showing what motivates him.

He wanted to get kicked out of the Sea Guard, but now he wants to join the expedition to Middle-earth because he wants to do something worthy of Númenor.

Why? This change of heart is never explained. Because his friends got angry at him? This can hardly be the case because it wouldn't fix his previous mistake, and his friends are already settled. Because he is assamed of his actions? This can't be the reason either because he still tries to cheat his way onto the list by appealing to his father and his friends, and later by hiding on the ship.

So far neither his previous reason for wanting to get kicked out of the Sea Guard is explained (wanting to find the "true west" is never explained either so it doesn't work as character motivation) nor his his change of heart now. This character remains unexplained, and it's simply not good story telling.

Eärien is the most random character in this episode: she shows up in a few places but barely does anything there and we don't really get a grip of why she is there either or how she feels about what is happening in these places. We can get the impression that she may be on the side that stands against the Elves and so is politically opposed to Elendil and Isildur, but in general her appearance in the episode is just irritating.

Appearing in random places with nothing to do: Eärien.

Maybe they'll do more with the character later on and just try to set up the character, but it's once again done in a weird way: as a character she seems pointless, and she's not integrated well enough in the rest of the plot to work as a side character.

The Southlands plot:

Adar's ultimatum is discussed in the episode. Half of the people stay, half of the people want to join Adar, and nobody consideres leaving the area altogehter. Why?

Halbrand and the other refugees obviously left, and Arondir should have some place where the Elves were supposed to go to. Theo even asks Arondir why he isn't leaving, and the question should rather be: why aren't they all leaving? Shouldn't they at least try and leave, reporting the Orcs to other Men or Elves so that they are prepared? Why stay there and get slaughtered? And if they somehow can't but Arondir can, shouldn't he get some help? He alone won't make a difference against all the Orcs, but getting the word out about their presences could save lives. And what about the Elvish occupiers, where they all killed? How? When? Were there only the few seen in the Orc camp? How where they able to subdue the Men in the Southlands for so long? And if there's more, haven't they noticed the absence of their captured people? Shouldn't Gil-galad receive their warning right now, given how fast the message of "peace" was delivered in the first episode?

Bronwyn has an unexplained change of heart as well in this episode: first she wants to fight and resist, and calls on the others to do the same. Once Arondir shows her the sword, she is immediately ready to give up. Is this the sword already working on her, or do the writers just not care any longer?

Then there is also the question why she told her people of the ultimatum in the first place. If she had convinced them that the Orcs would kill them all and burn down the tower as they did with the burned down village, wouldn't the people be much more willing to fight and to resist?

Why won't you just leave this place?

Arondir somehow knows the sword is a key. How? Where did he get this knowledge? And how come that the Elves knew there was a statue in this watch tower that apparently was showing Sauron, but never tore it down? Why would the Elves keep that statue there for all this time?

Adar wants Waldreg to kill Rowan becaue "only blood can bind". By the logic, half of the humans would have to kill the others, is that what we are supposed to take from this?

There is also the question why Waldreg didn't try to take the sword with him when he left the tower. He expected to see Sauron as the leader of the Orcs, and knows that the sword somehow belongs to Sauron. Why wouldn't he have tried to get the sword so that he could offer it to Sauron?

... and I'm still annoyed that Orcs are vampires in this show. And that Adar's checkbones look really fake, like a blob of papier mâché stuck on his face. Why would the cheeckbone even grow this way...

The Wilderlands plot:

The timeline of the Hobbit plotline is confusing, because this episode makes us believe that quite some time has passed: the Stranger can speak a decent amount of words now, and the way the Harfoots have traveled is quite a distance.

This doesn't match the time that seemed to have passed in Númenor and in the Southlands – there it seems like only days have passed. However, it does match with the plot in Lindon, where at least the traveling between Lindon and Eregion should take some time.

In conclusion: the timeline of this show is a mess, and unlike Tolkien the show's creators don't really bother to keep time and distance consitent in any way.

They really came a long way on their short legs...

Nori's family apparently has caught up with the other Harfoots, but this is never really addressed. They run into each other when the wolves are around, and some people in the caravan continue to be aweful when they suggest to sabotage the cart of Nori's family. Later on Nori reports that the Harfoots see the Stranger in a more positive light now that he has defended them against the Wolves, but this all happens more or less off screen. Since this had been such a drama previously, it's really weird that it's told in passing now.

Nori touching the ice is my last complaint. Girl, what happens there is clearly magical, so you can only blame yourself if you touch the ice without need. You saw the man falling down as a meteor, if this didn't freak you out why would ice do that now? Anyone with a half-rational mind would realise that the Stranger had no evil intent in that scene.

Tl;dr

The writing of this show is weak, often illogical and lacking in coherence. By creating such a fragile and inconsistant foundation, all following seasons will suffer even if they improve the quality of their writing.