#why didn't he just let her kill adar?

[payidaresque]

A bit more than you might think, actually.

[hellofeanor]

I know some people are upset about this, but

Adar had a complete and narratively satisfactory character arc and here's why.

(I'm saying "narratively satisfactory" because it satisfies his purpose in the narrative even if we think he deserved better.)

The two main problems I had with Adar's arc throughout most of S2 were as follows: his decisions to release Halbrand and then rabidly charge into Eregion after Sauron make no sense, and his character was inconsistent with what was established in S1. I complained about both of these things at length with people who were willing to listen, and some people who just smiled and nodded. But certain things in ep 6 made me start to rethink, one line in episode 7 really stood out, and the events of ep 8 put everything into perspective. So let's explore.

In 6, we have the scene of Adar and Galadriel speaking about Sauron. The major theme here is that he worms his way inside people's minds, insidiously exerting his will over them. Both characters at this point acknowledge this as fact. And in light of this revelation, Adar's "decision" to free Halbrand starts to make a little more sense. All it took was that one interaction for Sauron to get back inside Adar's mind and start influencing him again. There's no reason for Adar to do any of what he does in S2 unless he's under Sauron's control. Galadriel even says it herself: this is what Sauron wants. But Adar's mind and judgment are too clouded to see.

In 7, there's one critical line. "You think it was only you who put yourself in my power?" It's Annatar speaking to Celebrimbor, but he might as well be speaking to anybody here. It's pretty telling that this line shows up in most of the character-specific teasers, including Adar's.

Which brings us to 8, where everything comes together. Adar has Nenya, which has been shown to have healing powers, and a lot of people theorized that this might lead to him reverting back to an elven form. Which is exactly what happened. But the ring didn't only heal him physically.

Previously, we've seen Galadriel gain clarity of mind through Nenya: she better understands Sauron's ploy, and her part in it, and how she fell right into his trap. The exact same thing happens with Adar. When we first see him, crouching next to a rock, hiding his face, he's not just hiding his elven transformation. He looks like he's genuinely crushed. Not by seeing himself as an elf, but from the sudden ring-given clarity and the realization that he's been used by Sauron all along. His motivation and personality do a complete 180 here, and this isn't a plot hole or a contrivance. It's meant to show that the ring healed his mind as well as his body, shaking off Sauron's influence, and he's suddenly, for the first time all season, back to where he was at the end of S1. He's himself again. The searing desire to kill Sauron is gone, and he just wants to return to Mordor and build a home for his children.

He may have taken the ring because he thought it would help him kill Sauron, but in the end, it just helps him come to his senses.

Unfortunately for him, his actions can't be undone, and by sending the uruk to war, he's put them, as Annatar says 'under my control'. The minute Annatar asks Glûg what his name is, and Glûg falters in killing him, it's over. Sauron has control of the uruk again. He's wormed his way in. How do we know this for sure?

Adar's children wouldn't have set up that elaborate ruse to assassinate him. If this were all their doing, they would have just stabbed him and been done with it. The foreshadowing all season hints that Glûg may disagree with Adar's orders, but probably would never have done anything about it without a strong push from Sauron. The scheme was all Sauron and Sauron's control. Sauron orchestrates Adar's death in the exact same way Adar killed Sauron in ep 1, specifically out of spite. Sauron even appears to watch Adar's final moments: he wants Adar to know.

Is it a shitty way to die? Yes.

Is it a shitty plot twist undeserved out of nowhere? No, because the entire season has been setting us up for this moment. Hell, even some pieces in S1 have been setting us up for this moment. Halbrand could have killed Adar way back when, but at some point must have decided that Adar was more useful alive for a while longer, and a more elaborate form of revenge was in order. Sauron gains control of Adar and uses him as a puppet warlord against the elves while at the same time setting Adar up for the ultimate betrayal at the hands of his own children once he's no longer useful.

I actually love this. It's a horrible way to go, and I'm sad to see the end of this character, but it's a complete arc for him and makes sense within the narrative. It doesn't feel cheap or undeserved or at all surprising to me. It's sad, but satisfying.

RIP Adar, you will be missed. But at least you died... uh... feeling betrayed by your own kind as a result of your own actions that you realized too late were orchestrated by the guy you hate most. And if that isn't top tier tragedy, I don't know what is.

[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.

[dreamlandcreations]

Make it make sense...

Look away fragile canon and show canon likers, this is an attempt to make an unholy merging of the two (bc I like Halbrand, okay?! I'm weak 🙈)

Okkkkkkay so....

in canon canon making the rings took like 300+ years, right? So Annatar is in Eregion for this time, teaching the elven smiths the crafting he learned with the Valar... (EXTRA SLOWBURN OPPORTUNITY HERE!!! HELLO!!! Why isn't anyone writing this???)

Anyway... the Halbrand issue...

It could work as far as he was in hiding from the Valar... maybe even lost his physical form at some point after the defeat of Morgoth... I'm not sure about that goo concept but I'm not entirely against it. Let the blorbo suffer ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

What I cannnnnnnnot swallow is that ridiculous plotline of Sauron pitching to the orcs like it's election day (and the actor and whole scene is just noppppppppppppe for me) - purged by this unholy merge!

Adar is also a no for me, sorry not sorry...

On second thought... Let's go with Sauron trying to heal Middle-earth motivation and experimenting with the unseen world's power... Maybeeeeee something went wrong and puff his physical form... Then Adar can take over... 🤔

Slight detour... Galadriel... just no... I have not much further to comment on that, just no... THIS is not Galadriel! I stopped watching at the first attempt bc of her, I didn't even get through the first episode of the show then (not that I didn't skip most of it now but you know)... just no... she could have been a random made up elf like Tauriel and I would be less mad about it... anyway... no...

Back to Halbrand... he is picked up by Elendil at sea, taken to Númenor... aaaaaaand I know nothing of Númenor ooops 🫣

Okay, no problem... to be wiki-ed: Númenor, Sauron scheming at Númenor (he did lose his form there with the bye bye wave from the Valar right? *confused noises*), Númenóreans fighting on Middle-earth, what was Galadriel doing at this age at all???

Galadriel could come into the picture with Númenor, making a random Númenórean take her place as the overeager warmonger wanting to defeat evil and be interested in the stranger coming from the worst of it...

Miriel sending our overeager to-be-later-killed-off filler character as an envoy or messenger or whatever to get more info and consult with the elves - Elrond - enter Galadriel...

Speaking of characters to be killed... Elendil's daughter whatshername... Eärien... sheeeeee could work as a weird version of Éowyn wanting to play with the boys and whatever she is on the show... (Is she supposed to live according to the lore??? nevermind, doesn't matter)

Anyway, Halbrand needs a littttttle peace and quiet in the human paradise on earth... few months? a year? - just needs a fic of its own, idk

Finally, we are at Galadriel meets Halbrand... the supposed king who they will help fight evil... (Issue: Galadriel (and elves in general?) see into people...) WAIT! wait wait wait... Mordor... SA1000... Rings... SA1200-1600 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

...

okay okay this could still work

We are fighting Adar at the South in 1000 as Halbrand... he remains king and after saving Galadriel in battle they became friends even... until something happens... maybe she finally senses darkness in him or whatever... he is sent away from Lindon or wherever Galadriel was at the time and returns to rule the South as Halbrand....

(OMG EPIC FIC IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!! soulmate au? definitely reincarnation starting with human reader from Númenor being his queen and later somehow (he tinkered with dark magic and stuff) she returns as an elf in Eregion!)

uhm where was I????? Oh yeah, Halbrand is presumed to be dead after 200 years or so, and Sauron returns as ✨Annatar✨ (not even going to Galadriel or Elrond but to Gil-Galad or straight to Celebrimbor? 🤔)

[legendsisbetterthancanon]

Some of my thoughts on Rings of Power, specifically Episode 7 (in no particular order):

kinda goofy that they made Celebrimbor walk out of his tower in a daze, be knocked over by an explosion and lose consciousness twice in the same episode

glad that we didn't see the Hobbits, though I dread to see them in the next episode

the Orcs stopping the river with their catapult looked a little weird. I think I would have preferred if they would have just build a dam beyond sight of the wall. Not like the Elves would have noticed it, with they way they only realized an army was intruding into their lands after it had arrived at less than a mile away from them. (even though it didn't particularly bother me tbh)

find it kinda hard to believe that Durin + Disa and those bats were enough to hold that tunnel. The other dwarves really just didn't try again? The bats have already come down, it's just those two there now. You're telling me you couldn't get half a dozen armored soldiers in there, disarm them and drag them away so that the miners can work in piece?

The fact that Galadriel escapes with the rings isn't exactly exciting since I both know that Sauron will get the rings anyway but also that no harm will befall her

Speaking of Galadriel: I do not believe that that kiss was the only way Elrond had of slipping her the lockpick undetected

And what I believe even less is the fact that Adar just let her get away. Like... he told Elrond he would kill her if they didn't ceased their fighting. Elrond refused and promptly started fighting Orcs. Galadriel now has no value for Adar as a hostage because from his perspective, the elves have marked her as expendable. He now gains nothing from keeping her alive anymore. So I really don't get why he doesn't do what he said he would do, which is kill her the moment that Elrond leaves that tent. Literally, why does he just her let live?

And also, Galadriel wanting Arondir to spare Adar didn't really make sense to me. Galadriel doesn't want Arondir to give up his life by killing Adar, so instead she convinces him to wait till later when he... gives up his life trying to kill Adar???

I did kinda like that they had Adar just kill Arondir off like that. Made him seem more of a serious threat. However, the suddenness with which it happened makes me think that Arondir's death is gonna be a fakeout simply because I don't think they would end his storyline this quickly after doing so little with him this season

Also, the cut from Adar marching with the Orcs against the Elves during the night to when he arrives during sunshine was so jarring that I genuinely thought the Orcs had marched against the Dwarves instead and that that was the reason they weren't coming. But no, the Orcs just needed what seems like a laughably long time to cross that woodless field to get to the Elves. Just very weird editing, I have no idea what was up with that

And I thought that the guards of Eregion were kinda very quick to change their minds regarding Celebrimbor, mainly in favor of him. Like... two minutes ago you thought that this guy pushed an innocent woman to her death and had completely lost his mind, and now you belief him again? I know it's because Galadriel showed up, but it still happened so quickly... I don't know

Also, Adar's insistence that his army is undefeatable in battle. I just don't get why he would think that, I just don't get it. His army got their asses handed to them by a few hundred Numenoreans and only managed to gain the upper hand because they caused a fucking volcanic eruption. You're telling me that the mightiest Elven realm in Middle-Earth can't do better than that meager Numenorean expeditionary force? I don't know, I already found Adar's belief in his army's strength very weird in the previous episodes. And like... his perfomance in this episode doesn't make me revise my opinion.

Also also, the Asian archer Elf dying was a bit of weird scene to me. I think the show wanted the moment to be sad and dramatic, and I know that she was one of Elrond's companions on the way to Eregion, but like.. I don't know this woman. I don't think she's spoken more than ten sentences in that show, probably less. Just came off as a bit silly.

It's kind of surprising how much I don't dislike the show and even enjoy watching it even though I think so much of it is bad. I think it's because I compare myself to people who seem to actively hate the show whereas I'm mostly emotionally neutral to everything happening in it.

And with everything you can criticize about this show, there's still people *coughcough maulerandcriticaldrinker coughcough* who think that Celebrimbor's character was akin to Jar Jar Binks and that the sun shining on the elves during their initial cavalry charge while the orcs were shrouded in the darkness (you know, a scene very simply symbolizing good and evil... during a fucking sunrise, a perfectly fitting situation for that depiction) is too unrealistic for a fantasy show.

The discourse surrounding shows like Rings Of Power and The Acolyte has become so ridiculous. All too often nowadays I find myself having to defend shows I think are deeply flawed and badly written against people who also claim to dislike those shows based on bad writing, but whose actual reasons I can't take seriously.

(I liked Elrond's armor minus the helm. And the Orc makeup still looks really good. And I thought the Troll was presented quite threateningly, with him just kinda walzing through everything. Kinda makes Adar's seem especially weak when compared to Sauron's later armies, but I guess you can chalk that up to Adar not being supposed to be anywhere near as powerful as him. And I liked Adar's sword, it looks cool. And I am genuinely curious to know how the season is gonna end, thought that 's not exactly because I'm very emotionally invested.)

[ailendolin]

Live Reaction to TRoP 2x07

I'd like to start off this week's reaction by saying that I am terrified because of what's probably going to happen but also can't wait to finally see Elrond again. So let's see how much of an emotional mess I will be in an hour. Brace for heartbreak.

we're starting with a peaceful Eregion so we're back in Sauron's vision of it. I'm already not liking this

Celebrimbor, enjoying the sunshine and having a break. Oh if only it were real. He looks so terribly exhausted

omg not him talking to the mouse! This is the cutest thing ever and it's making me tear up. This man is so full of kindness and love and I just want to wrap him up in a blanket and keep him safe

oh the confusion is so painful to watch. "You know how forgetful you can be." Fuck you, Annatar. I cannot wait to see Celebrimbor throw the stupid hammer at you (and I know there is a universe out there where he doesn't miss ...)

can I just quickly give a shout out to Charlie Edwards? Because this wide-eyed, almost childish innocence on Celebrimbor's face is absolutely tearing at my heart. What an actor

"All things must end." I hate that you can see on Annatar's face that he has already decided to kill him

oh shit, Eregion is not doing well. Adar is not messing about

Malendol! I have missed you! I know barely anyone cares about you but I do!

"Gather your finest troupes." He's going to eliminate them, isn't he?

lol Annatar once again not happy to be touched by Mirdania

no, Malendol, you shall not cross the river because there won't be a river in a few moments

this is such a cool sequence btw

Arondir! Yes! We need you!

aw the little mouse is back. It's so sad that it is Celebrimbor's only company now

and we're back in Khazad-Dûm. Durin III is still hoarding gold, I see, and growing more and more desperate for more. His fall into insanity is almost as painful to watch as Celebrimbor's

Disa is not here to mess around. She's here to fuck shit up and I love her for it

oh thank Aule Narvi has some common sense left

aaaaaah it is Elrond! Elrond is at the door! Finally my favourite found family in the show is reunited! Oh I am so happy right now!

"My heart sings to see you, old friend." Elrond, my heart sings to see you too - even if you look absolutely exhausted.

I feel like this is the first time we have seen him smile this season

"I'm about to overthrow my father." You can just see how much this weighs on Elrond. And the fact that he does not even mention the rings, the waterfall, the betrayal and just focuses on defeat ... as if none of it really matters in the face of battle. Let me hug you, Elrond

"I need your axe, old friend." I love this so much

the way those elves flinched when one of them was shot. Gods, they lived such a protective life in Eregion this whole time, didn't they? And now there is this overwhelming force before them and they're trying, they are, but they're not enough

I'm sorry but Annatar gathering up his robes every time he has to use stairs is so freaking hilarious

Annatar, I swear, if you hurt that mouse ...

oh shit, Celebrimbor is on to him! He's seeing through the illusion!

this makes me wonder - how many days, weeks, months has he been stuck in that time loop? How alone has he truly been, and for how long?

and there flies the hammer! And it breaks the illusion

why has Celebrimbor blood on his face? I am not okay with this. What happened to him?

oh god it's the destruction of his city that is making him break down. That scene from the trailer has haunted me for weeks now and it's even more heart-breaking to see it in context

fuck no! The mithril was his blood? Why did I not see this coming?

this is framed the same way as the vision where children were running around and everyone was happy, isn't it?

nooooo he did not get hit right now, did he? Has this man not been through enough? (I know the answer to that is no, at least according to Annatar)

Mirdania, why the fuck are you just standing around and doing nothing? Make yourself useful, girl! Help the wounded! Pick up a bow! Do something!

her reaction to Celebrimbor's plea is that, "It's all right, grandpa" meme and ugh, she is making it very hard right now to like her

Malendol, I forgive you for not believing Celebrimbor because you have not been in the tower with him and only have known Annatar's word. But Mirdania? You should know better

oh fuck you, Sauron, for turning your blood red

omg I was just thinking someone should push Mirdania over the wall so, uh ... thank you, Annatar? Gods, I feel awful now. So much for rewarding her when the time comes, huh? She did not deserve this

oh shit she's still alive? Damn, this is cruel

oooooooh is this Elrond to the rescue? Fuck yes it is! And Rían is with him! And Gil-galad! Finally, Gil-galad listened to him!

omg the charge looks so cool!

noooooo they're not putting Galadriel in the cage on the front lines. I can't. Well played, Adar, well played

aw no, Elrond, don't falter. But that shot of Lindon's army standing opposite of Adar's? I want that as a print. This is gorgeous

oh hello Vorohil! I have missed you!

"You cannot save him." This is awful considering of the prophecy about Celebrimbor's life lying in Elrond's hands

oh, so Adar knew Melian? That's interesting

Elrond, I love you! Turning the Uruks against Adar is so clever

okay, so that kiss happened, huh? I hope we're all agreeing here that there was nothing romantic about it. Elrond's, "Forgive me," was clearly about kissing her without her consent. It was nothing more than a means to an end, an opportunity to slip her that piece from his coat. That forehead touch afterwards, though? That was sincere. That was them

Elrond trusting Vorohil with Durin's army? Yes please. I love how it took only one mission for Vorohil to become an Elrond fanboy and for Elrond to trust him enough to rely on him now. My boy had hearts in his eyes when Elrond rode away

oh Celebrimbor is shackled now ... is he going to cut off his own hand to free himself?

fuck yeah, Durin! You tell them! What a great speech! I am getting goosebumps here

Elrond's battle theme, let's go! He's so badass, I love it

nooooo not his horse!

lol I guess the lesson we're learning here today is: do not fuck with Elrond's horse (or those he loves). You will regret it

that moment he took with his horse ... I'm not crying, you are

"You told us you loved us." Glûg, breaking my heart. Also did anyone else notice the Uruks in the background caring for the wounded? I love these touches of humanity

oh Galadriel, why did you leave Elrond's cloak thingy behind? Once again I am asking you: are you trying to get him killed?

and Arondir to the rescue. It's about time he joins forces with Team Lindon

Durin in battle armour <3

no, no, no! If Narvi is hurt, does that mean Disa is too?

oh shit, it's either save Eregion or save Khazad-Dûm. Poor Durin

"Our sufferings." Exactly my thoughts, Celebrimbor

"You chose it." Fuck off, Sauron. Seriously? Still with the gaslighting? Celebrimbor, please throw another hammer at him. Or stab him in the eye with something small and sharp

thank the Valar Celebrimbor is not falling for his tricks anymore

oh Celebrimbor is defying him and throwing them into the fire! I am so ridiculously happy to see him fighting back

good teamwork there, Elrond and Rían

the rings are cold to the touch! Like the One! Because of Sauron's blood!

oh fuck, he is going to cut off his thumb! Look how his hands are shaking! This is horrifying but also such a moment of triumph

Charlie Edwards, the actor you are. That reaction? I'm a mess

poor Celebrimbor does not have much luck when it comes to escaping the forge, does he?

nooooo, Malendol, don't lock him back in. Please. Don't listen to Annatar, I beg you

Galadriel, I have never been so glad to see you. It is you, isn't it? Because if it is not ...

he's staying behind. Of course he is. That's who he is. But he won't be alone - for the first time, since Halbrand set foot into the city again, he will not be alone. Thank you, Malendol

"Light endures." Oh, that speech. I am honestly tearing up right now

no, not Rían! Please, not Rían!

oh fuck, she's such a badass!

I hate that Elrond cannot even go to her and comfort her

war is terrible and this episode portrays that so well. There is no glory. It's just death and devastation and so much loss

and now Damrod comes and it's going to get so much worse

and Annatar is not happy at all. This does not bode well for Celebrimbor. But I love that Celebrimbor gets to gloat. He deserves that

Annatar, keep your filthy hands off Malendol and his soldiers

gods, this scene is so chilling

not Malendol. I mean, it was brave to try, but damn, why?

I really must not get attached to random background elves. This is too painful. First Rían, now Malendol? My only consolation is that Vorohil and Camnir (hopefully far away in Lindon) are safe

that elf getting trampled by Damrod? I don't know why but that scene already made me tear up in the trailer. Poor guy

oh gods he's using Uruks as a shield

that's not going to end well for Adar

oh shit, Elrond! Fuck, that was vicious! Those breathless noises he is making! He's trying so hard and I'm afraid he's once again doomed to fail and it breaks my heart

Gil-galad! I was wondering where you were! Chilling behind the lines? Having a cup of tea? Nice of you to join the battle.

also dear gods, he looks so much like Mark Ferguson in his armour. I can't. This is everything

Arondir in his Legolas era! I love it!

oh and it's a team effort! Yes!

Aeglos!!!

the only thing keeping Elrond on his feet at this point is adrenaline and sheer determination

Glûg, baby, take your family and run as far away as you can

it's dawn. That means Durin is coming, right? I mean, I know they should but why do I get the feeling that they won't?

oh the Helm's Deep parallels

why the fuck is Vorohil hurt? I cannot bear this. Let me keep my Elf OCs, show, please!

oh no, the gates of Khazad-Dûm are shut. And Elrond still has faith in his friend. This is going to break my heart, isn't it?

"Durin will come." Oh Elrond, let me hug you

more Aeglos action! Fuck yeah!

Arondir and Adar stabbing each other with arrows is such a mood. But I swear if this show takes Arondir from me as well ...

okay, he's still alive. Let's keep it that way, please

and the wall has fallen. Eregion has fallen

not Elrond sitting there all shell-shocked and crying. My heart cannot take this

no, Elrond, why are you wearing Nenya?

I mean, let's be real, Gil-galad ordered him to. Personally, I would have left that damn ring with Círdan but what do I know?

Elrond collapsing at the end - I am not okay

This is my general feeling after this episode btw. I am not okay. None of this is okay.

[land-of-holly]

Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 8 Liveblog

hmm I thought the title would be more...striking? it's a nothing title

whar weird tortures is durin gonna do to his dad?

now thats the kinda kissing i like to see

bla bla balrog

more yelling? more threats?

wait i thought he was almost dead. what they came down here just to let him dig more?

im sure if i knew anything about caves this would be very annoying

durin jr isnt fooled

surprise me i beg u

i don't buy that this is what breaks King Durin free of the ring. Doesn't feel earned

balrog looks cool ig

and now it goes away for another few k years?

have we seen eye iconography before? not surprised that evil throne guy would yoink it

blue wizard reveal??

wow this guy is quick to trash talk his allies

'pity will not defeat sauron' okay it sounds heavy handed TO ME but I didn't say I hated it

this whole plotline feels like it's building to a climax it didn't earn

like we're just getting to know evil wizard guy and he feels very generic villain

the stranger finally has good power control tho

so they're gonna execute all those faithful guys yah? or this is an engagement announcement?

So he's maneuvering them to move against sauron now? YOU SHOULD HAVE JUST MADE TWO MORE EPISODES

do like the white tree imagery

where...are they? restaurant or sm I guess

girl u are gonna have to pick a side too

ANARION MENTION Did anyone not already in the know remember he exisited?

such a pretty dress

narsil!

so do the orcs have an ordered objective besides sack the city?

DON'T GIVE HIM MORE RINGS GIRL WTF

annatar no

HE'S STILL DOING IT STILL WITH THE LIES

the torture!

celebrimbor you're such an elf

NOT THE SHORES OF THE MORNING CELEBRIMBOR THE SHORES YOU WANT ARE IN THE OTHER FUCKING DIRECTION

torture extending life preservation tech confirmed

put that spear down or so help me

banner we've done it fam

the lord of the rings... okay, I CANNOT not let them have this

sauron's "...oopsie i killed him" face is fuckin hilarious

hi glug!

love that sauron never answers to 'sauron' it's always 'i hAVe MaNy NaMeS"

if this is all we get of the bannerage i'll be content but i'm getting the impression this is only the beginning

idk if we've gotten a wide shot of pelargir before i like the huts among ruins look

my boy theo

he is asking for help with his grief! progress!

did u hug arondir like that b4 he left??

nah man that's estrid

her whole deal can't be a romantic red herring

girl you have known him for like a few days stop this like i'm happy for you two but

y'all they tell stories about kings who marry low men they end badly

kemen what the fuck are you doing here

wow kemen's face went on an entire world tour there when he saw isildur

omg he is so bad at this slimy courtier stuff

everyone say yay berek!

isildur tell him

NOT THE HORSE KEMEN ARE YOU TRYING TO INCREASE YOUR DISAPPROVAL RATING TO 100%

the deforestation!

galadriel i stg how do you keep getting kidnapped.

..adar what happened to you

i cannot believe y'all who were predicting elf adar were correct. i hate this but not in a 'this was a bad writing decision' way ya feel?

adar is no one in particular confirmed?

why is he giving he the ring? does he really intent to treat in good faith?

galadriel is that true about your kill count

forgiveness again

i want normal adar back. i don't care if it makes sense

how often  do orcs tend their injured normally?

betrayal!

oh heck

its him

i think adar always wanted to die this way one day

damn girl maybe if the foley guys didnt make ur sword so noisy you coulda snuck up on him

crown of morgoth makes a hell of an offhand weapon

they can't even give gilgalad non boring lines

ARONDIR

nonzero chance sauron would want to keep all the lore of eregion but probably considers the destruction of eregion worth it

did not expect sauron to be the one going over that edge

OH NO HIS ULTIMATE WEAPON his pretty pretty face

spooky i like it

shapeshifer fight!

'the door is still open' obvious setup but i'll give it to them it was thematically appropriate

...i guess the difference is the fight for the 9 he was destined to win

DURIN!

narvi at least!

there'a no ocean there girl if you don't survive that fall he's just gonna go get it

she didn't even make it to khazad dum

damn glug pays the price of treachery

celeborn come get ya girl

oh hey arondir

totally believeable the crown of morgoth would do that to a wound. still don't like it. seems contrived.

get it elrond

damn nori looks so sad that her friends got their homes smashed

Mr. Burrows was wise. Sometimes acceptance is the only way to move forward

so is nori going with the stoors or home?

uah uah ya got yer stick

props overall to tom being a recurring caracter this season

thank you for explaining it all for us stick guy

shut up about his name

now you're just flexing with the singing

i can't fault durin having an unknown brother after the anarion business

the lighting in rivendell is very pretty

they didn't even say where they were, I admire their restraint.

Definitely bit of a hammock season, but a very good one overall. I felt like this should have been episode 9 and they DESPERATELY needed an episode before to bring everything up to finale time.  The final confrontation with sauron should have been maybe 50% less swordfightey and more mindfuckey. Overall a decent ending though!

[thebittercorvus]

Let's get this one thing straight first: José knew god damn well that he wasn't supposed to come back alive to the home base. He's been part of the ride for far too long, to not recognize a suicide survey mission when tasked one.

So, he decided to fight all odds and also blatantly go against the congress.

And he swore, he would survive.

So, honestly, being put in the isolation chamber after returning and not having to deal with his obnoxious bunkmate, and also getting two meals a day and a somewhat agreeable companion such as Dr. Xian from the other side of the plexiglass, was a lot better than his life prior to visiting Asteroid ∆35-6. Much better than surviving inside the execution pod, also known as the Copper Bull. For a god damn good reason too.

The excuse was sort of weird though. But he could cope.

I mean at least there's a bed in here.

"Good evening, mister Suárez, how are you feeling today?" He hears Dr. Xian say. Her voice is warm, but sort of in the same way a heart being ripped out of somebody's chest could be considered warm. "How is Adar doing?"

Don't answer that question.

"I'm doing fine, doctor. But I would appreciate if you didn't speak of Adar as a separate entity, that's creepy," he replies quietly. "I did say in my reports I named a speck on the control board that way, but that was more so I would have something to speak to, y'know, to preserve my sanity. Has any of you tried that as of recently?"

He hears someone taking notes on the other side. Alright so, wrong answer. Great.

Ask her about her daughter.

"Sooo, doctor, how's the little lady been doing?" He asks, suddenly recalling the little girl that went to see him off, holding the Doctor's hand. "Last time I saw her she could barely reach my knee, but kids really don't grow as tall here in the space station don't you think? The food rationing has been doing a number on--"

"She's alright, mister Suárez. Please refrain from asking personal questions," she says in turn. "Now, please fill out the test that will be handed to you, it's time to test your memory."

"Oh come on, I just proved my brain is doing just fine! Your little girl, she's called Rie isn't she? I saw her like once six months ago, and she gave me that cool drawing of the Copper Bull just 'cause she thought the survey team is cool, somehow. Then the director took it away from me 'cause it could like, mess up with something inside the pod but I know he was just being a huge dick about it all," he goes on and on, bringing back every minuscule detail from that day back to the conversation, as he often does whenever the scientists on board want to test his memory. His brain is fine.

But Dr. Xian doesn't seem to think that way. Nor does anyone else for what it's worth.

"Please refrain from being difficult," she states firmly. "Fill the test. We'll return once you're done."

Motherfucker.

Adar is the name he gave to his imaginary pal onboard the Copper Bull, a speck on the control board that he begun to talk to in order to remain somewhat sane. As sane as you can be in the middle of the vastness of space anyways.

And Adar is hilarious, too. They laugh at his witty puns and tell him that he should definitely ask out that one mechanic, I mean what's the worst thing that can happen anyways?

The reconnaissance mission went well, surprisingly, considering he knew the entire thing would be sabotaged from beginning to end so he wouldn't return. But he made it.

And as soon as he made it back, they put him in the time-out room.

Alien life. My ass.

It would have been weird if they had simply left you return. You defied them. You survived the Copper Bull. They can't have that happening, that's why they made up a reason to keep you separate from everyone.

But why though, he questioned his own reasoning. It would track. It would've been easier to just kill him a long time ago.

Maybe if you go insane and kill yourself, you'll save them the effort of having to find an excuse to execute you.

José hummed. He hadn't think about it that way.

The tests returned. His memory was flawless, as usual. You sort of need to have a good memory in order to pilot such a crappy ship such as the Copper Bull, even more to make it back in one piece.

So, they'd need to find a different excuse to test him again.

"Are you certain you never made contact with an alien lifeform?" He hears the Doctor ask for what seems to be the millionth time. "In your logs, there are several missing dates and things don't quite match up, could it be that perhaps the parasite took control--"

"I think I would remember getting in touch with freaking E.T," he says dryly, interrupting the doctor before she can get any weirder with her assumptions. "No, I used the claw to collect all the samples. The reason why there's so many empty pages it's because you lose track of time out there. Never got out of the ship, not even to pee."

"Yeah, we noticed," mutters Dr. Xian. "Alien lifeforms rarely are that big though. Didn't you scanned the samples? It would have shown--"

"The Copper Bull has no such thing as a scanner, doctor. You know this."

That got her to shut up.

Everyone really likes to forget that they sent him on a suicide mission, and that he barely made it back. But he won't let them, no. If something gets inside the mothership due to them not sending him with a properly equipped vessel, then it's on them if some parasitic lifeform suddenly takes over.

They really should have just killed him. But then that would cause a riot. And it's not like they can afford another one of those.

I mean it's not like I would kill my host, I'm not dumb.

And also, parasitic alien lifeforms usually avoid killing its hosts, he knows this from several other survey missions. Or does he? His former missions usually included plant type lifeforms, not quite--

Oh don't think too hard over it, it's overheating up here. We'll get out soon, I'll make sure of it.

Well maybe he's misremembering and heard it from his comrades. Marisol is sort of a big nerd about this kind of stuff too, but she couldn't get transferred just yet.

Well, anyways. Eventually they would get tired of testing him out and just toss him out again inside the overcrowded mess that is the common dorm. And once that happens...

We'll get our chance.

You’re an astronaut sent on a solo deep space mission. To combat the loneliness, you’ve created an imaginary friend who you interact with every day. Upon finally returning, mission control stops you. An unidentified lifeform has been detected on your ship.

[justacynicalromantic]

I feel like people try too hard to keep Sauron "in character", to the point that they super-impose the 3rd Age LOTR Sauron onto the 2nd Age TROP Sauron. To the point that people attribute everything he does to a manipulation, thinking that the guy does everything as planned, as if he can't do an action because he just feels like it, or make a decision based on emotions. That is just... Not how I saw even LOTR Sauron. Plus, a lot can happen to a guy in several millenia, yk? (And I believe we will even see this road of his in later seasons).

I will give you the scene where he apologises for killing Galadriel's brother, for example.

Rewatching it, you can absolutely tell that Sauron seriously intended to stay in Numenor and do nothing but simple smith work.

He wasn't lying later to Gal when he said he had all but given up at this time frame - he really did. In that moment, he believed himself to be a giant failure, all his plans had fallen through, even the orks mutinied against him and his close servant/friend (because it is obvious he and Adar were close - 1) how else would one disembowel fucking Sauron unless he trusted his back to that person? 2) he would NOT act THAT angry if that betrayal wasn't personal on some level) betrayed him and murdered him - so at this stage he is in the "to hell with it all, I give up, I am a loser, let me just smith cutlery and horse shoes in peace" frame of mind.

But then comes Galadriel asking him to help her take the Southlands, refusing to take "no" for an answer.

As a side note, I find this part of the scene interesting:

Love the actor's work as well here - how his stare becomes vacant as he loses himself in the dark memories.

(And he is turned away from Galadriel here. She doesn't see his face at all. At. All. So, unless he is trying to manipulate coals, the emotions on his face are. All. Real.)

"You don't know what I did. How I survived...

And, as he gazes into the fire, it's not his memories that come (as would be expected out of this cimetographic tactic), but the present scene of the villagers submitting and kneeling to Adar and the orks.

Legitimately, his words here are narrating over the people kneeling to Adar. Right over this moment. I kid you not, go rewatch it, if you do not believe me.

This, here, is a 100% tell that, at least in this story, as TROP authors intended it, the idea is that Sauron's continuous service to Melkor was a matter of survival. You don't make such an obvious parallel unintentionally.

So, while he came to serve him probably out of his young foolishness and ambition, but that, down the road, it became simply impossible to change sides, even if he wanted too, unless he was willing to sacrifice his life for it.

Going back to the point. So, Sauron, as Galadriel asks him to abandon his own plans and help her with her quest, demands that she gives him an honest answer why she pursues her goals.

She turns away from him in tears and:

"The company I led mutinied against me"

Mmmm?🤔

"My closest friend conspired with the King to exile me"

MMMMM?🤔🤔🤔

(what could it be reminding me of I wonder??)

What? What is it, Sauron? Why are you making this sad version of a surprised Pikachu face?? And to her back no less, where she can't even see you doing your obviously manipulative surprised sad faces😆

(Seriously, guys, he even does a small gasp here)

And Galadriel's next words:

"Because they could no longer distinguish me from the evil I was fighting"

...beyond being a hilarious irony (because, yk? said evil is standing right behind you, Gal), are supposed to clarify for those that didn't get it from his shocked face what exactly ran through Sauron's mind at that moment, that surprised him so much:

"We are alike".

Bingo. So there you have it. What made Sauron change his mind and follow Galadriel was not some masterplan where he decided that her quest to the Southlands would be very beneficial for him - but simply he recognised a kindred spirit and he felt he could understand what she was going through and empathised with her, decided to help her.

Bonus - after he just discovered for himself that they have much in common and apologised for killing her brother, she says:

"Your sorrow cannot ease my pain.

And nor will a hammer and tongs ease yours.

There is no peace to be found for you here.

And nor for me.

No lasting peace in any path, but that which lies across the sea.

I have fought for centuries to earn mine.

This is how you earn yours."

(even her words here are perfectly paralleled, casting them as mirrors of each other)

And after saying this she leaves. And he stays looking like this:

- which, again, no one is witnessing, except the empty smithy.

So, in conclusion, Sauron follows Galadriel because: a) he feels a sense of guilt towards her; b) he cannot ignore it because he understands her and he feels they are alike; c) a person he feels they have a lot in common with is sure that "there's no peace to be found for the likes of us here", so yes, it makes him first hesitate and then change his mind about staying in Numenor and living a simple ordinary life; d) while he did plan to just live as a simple smith in Numenor, it was never what he actually wanted for himself. His failures together with his guilt made him give up, but Galadriel gave him hope that he could be something more and do something good. And that was always his dream and his ambition.

I believe it's not before they came to Eregion and he heard about the mirthril and the Elves' plight that it all came to him how he could restart his previous plans that he had abandoned because of continuous failures (and Adar physically banishing him from existence).

PS: and no, it is not Galadriel's fault, because nothing she said here was wrong. Sauron stood on a crossroad and he had a real chance here - where he was wrong-footed and doubted all his previous beliefs - he had a chance to choose the right path. But instead he chose subjurgation of others (and I do not believe it was because of his nature as Dark, but because of his previous experiences, what they shaped him out to be). If anything, the one to blame is Adar with his untimely volcano show, because - who knows? - had they had more time, maybe Sauron could have found the right footing. Instead, before he could unlearn his worse life lessons and learn new better ones, he, sort of, came to the Tree of Knowledge in Eden.

[symphonyofsilence]

Ok, let's talk about the last 3 episodes of TROP:

Uh...wtf did I just watch.

Well...what'd'y'know...turns out we had a fourth Silmaril? Was anybody going to tell the sons of Fëanor? Was anybody going tell FËANOR himself?!

And, you know, if Mithril contained the light of a Silmaril, which is enough to work as a star, anybody would know that Frodo was wearing a Mithril chainmail. And it would be really shit as armor or weapon 'cause it would immediately give away your place and draw eyes to you.

And since when do the elves need the light of the two trees to survive? How about the Avari? With that logic, they should have been dead by now. Why are we calling them immortal if they're going to die next Saturday? Everyone in ME is more immortal than them.

And does time mean nothing in this show? When they talked about compressing the timeline I didn't think they'd do it in every scene!

do people teleport in this show? How did the Numenoreans charge to Bronwyn's village JUST at the right moment? How did they know they should go there? How did the NUMENOREANS get to Bronwyn's village only one day after the orcs? How does it take more time for Arondir, a trained elven warrior to fight one orc (& he doesn't even defeat him) than a village of untrained peasants to defeat an army of orcs?

And...a watch tower fell just by an arrow?! Really?! This whole tower was kept together by only a rope? Who made that and why? And how's it been standing for so long? Even if it's only 1 day? Is that time compressed, too? And A lever broke a dam and that somehow activated a volcano?! And why couldn't the orcs break the dam with the grandfather of Grond? Why did they have to give so many orc casualties to take that sword back? Why did the villagers corner themselves in their village instead of fighting from the fucking tower and having the high ground? Is it because it was held together by a rope? What is this stupidity?

And it speaks volumes about the writing of this show that we both knew that there is no way that anybody could survive that eruption especially Galadriel should have been baked in her armor and that all the main characters would survive.

I mean...Bronwyn not only survives that wound but she also walks out just fine the next day and she's not even pale. Halbrand, mortaly wounded RODE to Eregion! What makes you think a volcanic eruption will kill them? Eru can't kill them.

THEY LEFT WHETHER ISILDUR WILL SURVIVE OR NOT AS A CLIFFHANGER!!!

And Adar is the only interesting character. I'm kinda rooting for him ngl.

And did Elendil even search for him before announcing him dead and crying?

Also, one would think that in a dangerous situation like this, the commander would rush in to protect the queen. And the other soldiers would protect the commander and the Queen. Except, in this case, the commander walked into volcanic ashes and started one of her famous staring contests with it.

Also, a little thing. But, how did Galadriel find Elrond when he was first orphaned alone, without friends or kin? I guess the first time Elrond was orphaned was after Elwing jumped into the sea. Well, at that time Elrond had both kin and friend. He had his twin brother Elros and then was found by Maglor & Maedhros who were both kin and later turned out to be friends. (And they are in and outside a cave). Why would Galadriel find Elrond alone without his twin and why would she hand them into the Fëanorians?

Now listen, having callbacks to certain LOTR scenes wouldn't have been so bad if they weren't blatant rip-off and a much, much lesser version and the scenes have been earned.

Like Arondir and Bronwyn promising each other that they'd grow a garden like Faramir and Eowyn did, doesn't have the same impact 'cause unlike Faramir and Eowyn, we haven't spent enough time with these characters and from what we've seen of them, both of them look bland. And we haven't seen their relationship develop. Also, the dialogue is not that good. And Galadriel and Theo hiding beneath a tree while the orcs start for them?...no. just no. And Theo saying that the sword can't be unmade by any crafts that they there possessed also doesn't work 'cause the threat of it is not explained. And giving the scene of Beren and Luthien's first meeting to Galadriel and Celeborn doesn't work cuz it's very OOC for Galadriel. And it was a special scene for Tolkien.

& now off to the big reveal I guess.

Listen...the 2nd age is not told in details like the first and third age are. there were few plotpoints that they had to meet and they WERE few! Like the Numenoreans being jealous of the Eldar's immprtality. And like Annatar coming to Eregion and deciving Celebrimbor after Galadriel, Gil-Galad and Elrond refused him cuz they didn't trust him.

THIS SEASON SHOULD HAVD WORKED ON ANATAR DECIEVING CELEBRIMBOR! HE SAW HIM FOR LIKE ONE SCENE AND HE WASN'T EVEN ANNATAR! AND THE RINGS ARE ALREADY MADE! AND THE SAURON REVEAL IS WASTED! AND THE ICONIC SAURON MAKING THE ONE RING AND LAUGHING TO HIMSELF AND CELEBRIMBOR OVERHEARING IT AND PANICING IS GONE!!

and the writers are probably congratulating themselves because we all knew that Annatar was Sauron and it wouldn't have been a shocking reveal for us. Well, guess what! It would have been for the people who haven't read the books and the people who had would have enjoyed the tension of well-written scenes between Celebrimbor and Annatar knowing who he was. And when Galadriel and Gil-Galad and Elrond warned Celebrimbor we would have sympathize with them and mourned and remorsed with them when it got too late. It's like if in HP movies the director said:"you know what, every book reader knows that Alastor Moody is Barty CrouchJr. Let's introduce a hot guy who will have a romantic relationship with Professor McGonagall who will turn out to be Barty Crouch.Jr.

They keep thinking they can write better than Tolkien, the father of modern fantasy, and they can't.

And remember when it was explicitly told that Galadriel knew Annatar was fishy from the get-go and NEVER trusted him? Because not only she was extremely intelligent and wise but also she had the gift of seeing into the minds of others and for that, Sauron was AFRAID of her? And returned her scorns with apparent curtsey? And he thought that he had found his match (as in, an enemy to be weary of) in Galadriel? And how becoming a powerful queen, stronger than the foundations of the earth was Galadriel's own ambition?

Who in all these years of reading tolkien have had thought of writing a Galadriel/Sauron fanfiction!

I'll tell you who. Mormons!

I can't help but think that how every male elf except Gil-Galad, even the extras have short hair has something to do with the showrunners being Mormons.

So does how Sauron can't be a hot twink elf with long luscious locks getting close to young Celebrimbor and seducing him over a long time until eventually Celebrimbor gets betrayed. because it may give gay vibes.

I think that elf servant being all veiled women who don't speak also has something to do with the showrunners being Mormons.

So does that Galadriel was bereft of all her tradirionally feminine traits, wise and mature personality, the reverence everyone had for her, and her ambition and desire to rule and her goal in life was given to her by her brother (keeping the oath he never had in the books) and her iconic lines in the show are told to her by Sauron and she wasn't the one with the desire to rule and she wasn't the one who knew her worth, and her husband had to be presumed dead and in the showrunners eyes, she couldn't be a mother AND a powerful woman and had to be deceived by Sauron and have romantic tension with her instead of Sauron being scared of her.

Good for you if you liked the show. Don't let random strangers on the internet ruin your enjoyment of tv shows.

But for my part, sometimes Fëanor spontanously combusting from inside sounds fantastical until I see the shits that TROP pulls and the blatant lies and or the narcissistic bullshits that the showrunners say.

[sayruq]

So, I just finished watching episode 10 of HoTD and I swear I was so bored for like 55 minutes of the whole ride, the only moment I was actually paying attention was when Aemond was on screen and the only emotion I had was me cackling at Aemond's tectonic "OH SHIT" face when Grandma Vhagar did her war crime.

I cannot believe that this is meant to be a challenger to the brilliance that is RoP, which had me at the edge of my seat from start to finish at every episode. Like, miss me with this failed Targ shit, the writers are so clearly not getting it.

Rings of Power writers care so much about their characters and they committ to the story they're telling, nothing is half assed. They want us to be attached to the characters and they work hard to make sure that we do and that hard work paid off. Look at how well received their finale is compared to this one. Ep 6 brought several characters together and not only did it feel like a big deal, the episode itself was tense, heartbreaking, dark and filled with more morally grey characters than HOTD. Adar>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Daemon. RoP was not scared to have Galadriel promise genocide nor did it ignore what that says about her. HOTD won't even let Rhaenyra express murderous intent after she was usurped and her son killed. She just stares into the camera.

I read the leaks so I knew what was coming and that usually doesn't detract from my enjoyment of a show because I love spoilers but even I was counting down the minutes to Aemond. It felt like an ordinary filler episode. Things happen without urgency or tension and not once did I feel like I couldn't wait to see how other characters will react to the new plot developments except Aemond's scene (he really is the MVP of the show). It didn't feel like the beginning of a new catastrophic war.

This show doesn't understand how to pick it's scenes. Instead of a very long miscarriage and body preparation scene, we could have spent more time on Rhaenyra's anger at being usurped, her fear of what it means for her children and her grief at her father's death because she barely reacted to that. There should have been only one Black Council scene after her coronation where we get

Team Black talking about their allies and Team Green's allies and you know strategizing

Rhaenys and Corlys slowly changing their minds about Rhaenyra (the show given reason why they chose her is very stupid because even the Greens want peace but whatever) as they watch her handle herself

Daemon trying to wrest control from Rhaenyra. You can even have him start the Council without her to show his eagerness for war. Instead of him standing around the table talking about the island's defenses, we should see him attending to that, ignoring her while she's in pain

Rhaenyra resisting it because of the prophecy which she doesn't talks about just yet. We should see people constantly pushing her to declare war and attack King's Landing and Rhaenyra standing her ground

Plans are made to send Jace and Luke to act as messengers

Instead of war, Rhaenyra plans on gaining enough allies to back the Greens into a corner without a single person dying

Then Otto Hightower comes. Instead of the dumb dragon scene, show Rhaenyra struggling to walk there but being determined because she's now queen and this is her duty but also because of the prophecy. She listens to the terms offered, trades insults with Otto, Daemon is Daemon. The page is offered, Rhaenyra cries and she decides to give her answer the following day.

Daemon thinks her attachment to Alicent is problem but she tells him about the prophecy. He strangles her. Rhaenyra spends the night thinking about how unpopular her decision is, she doesn't want to waver despite all the pressure she's facing.

Luke dies and Rhaenyra finds out right before she tells Otto her terms for peace. Instead of Emma staring at the camera, we can have the iconic line

Tell my half brother that I will have my throne, or I will have his head,” she said, sending the envoys on their way.

Now we see how Rhaenyra has been transformed by her son's death and we don't have to spend the entire last episode spinning the wheel until Aemond enters the picture.

[beyonddarkness]

I'm so glad you pointed this out because THIS IS SO IMPORTANT! I've also been thinking about this for months. 'Halbrand' is obviously not a name that he gives to someone he trusts, or that he's close with. So, when he immediately gives that name on the raft, that is a sure-fire indication that he does not trust Galadriel. He also (for obvious reasons) gives that name when he introduces himself in the Queen's Court.

But here's the thing! It also goes the other way around. What HE calls a person depends on how close they are, or how familiar he wants to be.

He barely refers to anyone at all, let alone by their actual name.

Míriel: - Good Queen - Your Majesty

Elendil: - Captain

Aulë: - "The master I apprenticed to"

Finrod: - "your brother"

People in the Court: - My friends

He only uses the names of FOUR people, and there is a very clear pattern.

-------------

GALADRIEL -- The FIRST THING he asked her was, "What are you called?" and she gave her name, but he purposefully just called her Elf (and it's not very friendly):

"Look, Elf." (1x02) "I've got my own plans, Elf." (1x02)

"What the Elf means--" (1x03) "If there's one of us that doesn't belong here, Elf, it's you." (1x03) "Be careful, Elf." (1x03) "All I see is an Elf who won't put down her sword." (1x03)

Then, in episode 5, he quotes Míriel: "Galadriel informed us."

But he didn't USE her name until he cornered her in the workshop. (And it still wasn't friendly at all. lol)

"Whose dagger was it, Galadriel?" (1x05)

And even after that, he only uses it one more time, when he stops her from killing Adar. (1x06)

BUT THEN! Galadriel deems him her friend in episode 7 ("Well, my friend, it seems fate has in store for us one more raft."), and he's like, Okay here we go.

In episode 8, he suddenly drops her name all over the place.

"Is Galadriel here?" "Thank you, Galadriel." "Galadriel! We found it!" "Galadriel, I'm afraid I don't--"

As Finrod, he calls her 'sister' twice, but her attention isn't GRABBED until he uses her name.

"Lose your footing again, sister?" "Please, sister, look at me. Galadriel."

"No, Galadriel. He was seeking a power." "Galadriel. Why would you say that?" "Galadriel, come back to me." "Galadriel! LOOK AT ME!"

And the LAST TIME he uses her name:

"Galadriel, look at me. You know who I am. I am your friend."

---------------

MORGOTH -- He was clearly pretty close to Morgoth, albeit he spits the name out (because, I mean ... look who he's talking to. If he wants her to trust him, then he has to act a certain way. But there is probably some enmity there, as well).

"For it was his ancestor who swore a blood oath to Morgoth." (1x03)

"When Morgoth was defeated, it was as if a great, clenched fist had released its grasp from my neck." (1x08)

------------------

CELEBRIMBOR -- Here's where things get dicey. He's never met Celebrimbor before; but we know that he had a clear objective: Build trust. So, he IMMEDIATELY uses his name. (1x08)

"THE Celebrimbor?" "Celebrimbor?"

Even Galadriel noticed that the friendship developed abnormally quickly.

Sauron: "Don't be afraid! Celebrimbor will find a way. I'm certain of it." Galadriel: "All of a sudden, the two of you seem quite familiar."

-------------------

Adar is an interesting situation. According to Charlie, he was one of Sauron's most fearsome lieutenants, and there was obviously enough trust between them for Adar to be able to single-handedly kill him. Adar probably did not call him 'Sauron', going off of what he told Galadriel: "The one you call 'Sauron' ..."

They're sworn enemies now, so when asked, "Who are you?" Sauron could have given any name, but instead he stays silent.

On the flip side, we know that Adar has an actual name, but Sauron obviously never uses it (he barely even speaks to him).

-------------------

So, he only uses the names of Galadriel, Morgoth, Celebrimbor, and one more person. If what he calls someone depends on how close he is, was, or wants to be in order to further his designs, what in the world could that mean for the only other name he uses?

"Bronwyn."

Okay, so this… thing… has been living rent free in my brain for months now and I still don’t know what to make of it.

You know that scene in Númenor where Halbrand makes that unforgettably wonderful murder glare?

Yeah. That one. So, we have this dialogue:

Númenórean dude: “What are you called again?” Halbrand: “Depends.” “Depends on what?” “How close we are.”

Then we have the alley scene. After Halbrand beats the shit out of those guys, the last thing he says is this:

Okay, so here it is, the thing:

After Galadriel tells him her name on the raft, he doesn’t hesitate AT ALL before introducing himself as Halbrand.

WHAT ABOUT THE “DEPENDS,” HALBRAND? WHY IS SHE AUTOMATICALLY ON THE “HALBRAND” LIST, HALBRAND?

I’ve narrowed it down to three equally ridiculous theories:

1. He recognizes the name Galadriel and instantly goes FUCKING HELL THERE’S A HIGH ELF ON MY RAFT AND IT’S THE ANGRY BLONDE ONE, MAYDAY, ENEMY ALERT (Halbrand => not close, derogatory)

2. He thinks a good tavern brawl is a neat bonding experience and that the Númenórean dudes are now allowed to use his name (Halbrand => close, appreciative)

3. He simply wanted to seem like a Cool Guy and the “depends” seemed like a Cool Guy thing to say, no deeper meaning to it whatsoever (Halbrand => neutral) 

(Oooooor the showrunners just needed a setup so they could finish the fight with the badass “Call me Halbrand.” That’s a boring option though so I’m going to ignore that.)

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[attheexactlyrighttimeandplace]

Some last minute thoughts and wishes before episode 7 comes and become the game changer that will ruin all theories.

I don't know if i lost for good my theory that the Stranger was Sauron because episode 5 ruined it almost completely but not totally.

I guess he wasn't wrong to wake up grumpy (and to kill few fireflies or bend the trees and make the land tremble in the process) after being sent like a meteorit to the other side of Midde Earth, and after ending with half of his brain so fried that he couldn't remember his name and even started eating paper.

So let's say he's an istari, possibly even Gandalf or Saroumane, asked to carry the mission to help the side of the elves and humans to form an alliance against Sauron, how did the Valar know that Sauron was going to make his move even though he was hiding under a different form all this time and acting like a deceiver? Even the eruption of Mount Doom wasn't his work unless Adar lied and he is Sauron.

Did they really sent a powerful maia for one moriondor and hundred orcs that an army of 500 Nùmenoreans has beat easily? If it wasn't for the hilt, Adar would have been completely defeated.

Did they foresee that the hilt will be discover and chaos will ensue? Then why not sent their messenger directly to the Southlands to retrieve it before the dark forces could put their hands on it? And why sent him in this miserable state? Has he been attacked during his trip by the Mystics and is it the reason of his amnesia? Was he forced to change his destination? Is the fire without a heat felt by Nori just a maia thing, shared by Sauron in Morgoth's lair?

In all cases, if this theory is crushed, it won't be my biggest regret because i wanted it to be true only for Nori's character development and the fact that she was never be exposed to corruption and deceit before him. It would have been too a good explanation of why Sauron doesnt' take the Hobbits seriously.

My biggest regret would be, after rereading all those old arguments i wrote and left in my drafts, for my other favourite theory to not be true either: Arondir as Sauron.

I don't have the time and the space to explain all my reasons but damn if he wouldn't have been the best Sauron!

I mean physically, intellectually and strategically (well except for the way he has hidden the hilt), he's so superior to everyone surrounding him, including the other elves of his company.

I've rewatched since few hours all his scenes and few facts surprised me: like he's been in every episode of season 1. The only other character with Galadriel to have been constantly on screen, and sometimes even when the the Southlanders were absent (episode 3 Adar), though he didn't have the same number of scenes as Galadriel of course.

The thought of Arondir being more than he seems hit me again while watching him defending alone Ostirith. It struck me that his speed, strength, and agility were on a level i've never seen any elf shown before, except Galadriel (when she killed the troll) As an elf, of course, he's gifted with many supernatural abilities: piercing sight as confirmed by Galadriel during her talk with Isildur, and piercing hearing as showed by Elrond when he spied on Durin and Disa, but Arondir has always been different: he has always dominated everyone else, in every way. A true image of grace and balance, of perfection even during fights. Something i imagine that Sauron would want to project, as being himself obsessed by Order and Control.

It's hard to deny that he's beautiful as a fallen angel should be and the casting magnificently reflects that. It's not a shallow comment: everything about Ismael Cruz Cordova's look conveys the idea there's something surnatural about his appearance even for an elf: from the natural elegance of his movement to his gorgeous skin color. In return he's attracted by beauty: by the human fragile beauty of Bronwyn, by the wild beauty of The Southlands. He said to Bronwyn: "beauty has a great power to heal the soul" and that's how i imagine that Sauron would have tried to heal his soul from his past actions as the "beautiful servant": immersing himself in the beauty.

He didn't want to leave the Mordor Southlands with his company. a place that combines beauty (it has recovered from the destruction of war) and darkness (their inhabitants are still the descendent of the men who are linked by a blood oath to Morgoth). Arondir has always assumed the fact that he was drawn to this land and its inhabitants, which makes perfect sense if he's Sauron considering his connection to Orodruin.

In episode 1, he went alone in the tunnels which shows an incredible confidence in his ability to survive, and surprisingly almost no fear, not even after he saw the devastation inflicted on the village of Haldern.

He never sent for help from the other elves (it's strange that nobody reacted in Lindon to this garrison that never came back home, despite the king's order to disband the outpost).

In episode 3, he fought and reacted with a precision that is mindblowing and that no other elf of his company showed (not even the watchwarden): during the escape attempt, he was the only one bold enough to take an axe and destroy the tent that was hiding the orcs from the sun, strong enough to chain the warg alone, restrained it alone and killed it alone (in a spectacular move). This scene is only surpassed by his fight with the giant orc in episode 6.

In episode 4, after he was freed by Adar and returned to the village, he sliced an orc (using Galadriel's technique shown in episode 5) as if he had done that all his life, while he was supposed to have never seen one before. He said to the watchwarden that he was a sower before his assignment to the Southlands, but the region was supposed to be in peace since the defeat of Morgoth and the escape of Sauron (Adar said that Sauron had gathered all the last evil forces and lead them to the extreme north).

And later in the forest when Theo and him were pursued by the orcs, the way he avoided and caught an arrow with his bare hand and sent it back, killing the orc he targeted all while never stopping, was incredible.

But it's in episode 6 that the clues seem the most significative: one of them was when Adar was inside Ostirith tower before its fall, and Waldreg and an orc came at the same time to talk to him. The dialogues were a strange merger between these two discussions as if they were about the same person, whereas the orc was talking about Arondir while Waldreg was talking about Sauron:

Waldreg: Meaning no offense, Lord-father, but where is he? What happened to Sauron?

The Orc: Can't find tooth nor tail of him. Must've got smart and scarpered.

Adar: No. The Elf's here. I smell him.

And like i said, he destroyed alone the watchtower, plus his fight with the giant orc in the village was spectacular in every way.

I like him too as Sauron, because i like the parallels he had with Adar: the connection through the seeds, the promise of a new Eden/life made to Bronwyn after the battle while Adar promised a home to his orcs, their past meetings in which they didn't try to kill each other while having every reason to do so, the idea that instead the writers opted for a game between the two dark leaders: Arondir/Sauron trying to stop Adar to find the sword hilt and using the men of Bronwyn's village to fight for him again, unknown to them, and slow down Adar.

Not every details matches this theory of course: he was shown as being in love with Bronwyn though he never said the words, but can Sauron love or does he only fake it? He did a bad job with the hilt from his failure at hiding it to his inability to recognize it had been replaced by an axe, but did he really want to stop Adar at the end? Or was he pissed off that Halbrand was "crowned" in front of him (the camera focused on Galadriel and him in this moment: he seemed surprised/shocked by this sudden action, while Galadriel was cheering Halbrand, waiting for him to say yes when he was asked by Bronwyn if he was the king promised)? If so, it would explain why he didn''t check the hilt Galadriel gave him: Arondir was shown trying to destroy it for few long minutes before the battle. Even as a simple elf, he had very good eyes to notice details and would have recognized the difference in the weight and form with the axe, under the burlap in which it was wrapped. And if he was Sauron, he had every reason to say nothing: he wanted the land for himself and so he abandoned his attempt to stop Adar, who became conveniently the new Sauron, a fake one, but enough convincing to be shipped to Nùmenor while Arondir heads to Eregion.

I wish it was the case because there was never on the show a character as charismatic and powerful (except the Stranger), as good in term of characterization, certainly not Halbrand, to play the part of Sauron.

[land-of-holly]

Rings of Power Episode 5 Liveblog

The oath! Black leaves! Isildur! The Southlands! Adar! Halbrand! We're going to Middle-earth! Harfoots!!!

Grasslands? Harfoots?

They're so cute! Ooh, Nori's really explaing their stomping grounds.

Hobbits really are like rabbits--a thousand enemies.

He feels bad about the fireflies. Tell him he's good, Nori!

Song? Oh it's such a beautiful song. And I love the map

A little on the nose there at the end but they earned it.

Cultists!! They've got like armor and stuff?

Blond buzz cut is a lady?? They're tracking the Stranger.

Adar is a flat out sadist. I love him.

They're gonna....destroy the sun??? I mean it was on Morgoth's to do list.

I think what bugs me about Bronwyn's dress is just how *much* effort has obviously gone into getting her to show a modicum of cleavage

Uh. That's gonna be a pretty hard sell, Bronwyn.

Don't do it Theo!

Well, at least EVERYONE didn't leave

Numenor!

But how many people are they sending to Middle earth?

Elendil is just being SUCH A BITCH omg

Earien is anti war?? Oooh potential drama!

He doesn't listen to you because youre a little bitch, Kemen.

Hey, Halbrand got his guild crest! Must be gaining favor with the queen now. Looks like he's pretty skilled too.

Galadriel is determined to micromanage everyone. Just let him live his own life!

Five ships and 500 men seems like they're kinda sandbagging this project, honestly

So is Tar Palantir actually gonna talk to Miriel or was that just an excuse to get her out of the scene?

Oh shit wolves

See, as much as people are fussing about the callousness of the Harfoots it's clear that, at least to Sadoc, leaving someone completely behind is a super big deal.

Those are some fucked up wolves.  Is that normal for these parts, or...? I do like the look of them better than the Warg from ep 3

Oh shit that's some MAGIC magic

So how much military training have these guys had, exactly? Galadriel's right, they've certainly never fought orcs.

Good at killing not necessarily equal to good at management, but Elendil probably doesn't expect to have to make good on that promise

MORPHEUS IS FIGHTIN NEO

Don't tell me Isildur would be any better than these yahoos

Go girl! Just mind the cabbages :)

Oh, good job Valandil!

Cousins confirmed!

Get with the program, Kemen! Think ahead a little!

See, he totally has a plan! It's called colonialism!

Man, Pharazon is a terrible human being and I absolutely love how they're portrsyin him.

Oh, see, there's Tar Palantir.

Okay, with all this preparation I'm slowly coming to believe that Elrond and Durin might have time to get back to Lindon in this same amount of time.

"Darkness". Does he mean something bad, or just something he can't see?

Oh, that's some ice, what's he doing. Let Nori go!

Nori!!!

Oh hey healing magic. Oh shit he scared Nori away :(

Khazad!

Who called Khazad dum the quietest of the dwarven kingdoms?

Gil-galad is digging for something, isn't it.

Elrond is politicking his little halfelven heart out.

Durin is lying his ass off, isn't he. Is this like, considered an art form among the Dwarves?

Gil-galad doesn't even call him on it, it's just another move in the game.

He swore an oath, Gil-galad, you can blame him for that but what's done is done.

Ooh, he just got fullnamed.

How did a silmaril get in a tree???

That's an interesting legend for the origin of mithril?

He swore an oath??? You can't just expect him to break it???

Oh no, not the metaphor tree!

Ugh, is THIS why Elrond was disinvited to the elf lord meeting?

It doesn't hold little weight to the elves!!! Elves take oaths very seriously!!!

The Numenorean national anthem!

Over by the time I get off the boat?? Shit, they're all gonna die aren't they.

You tell him Valandil, don't forgive him so easily. Moar Drama!!!

Oh, "it will be different this time". Don't believe him!

They're taking Berek??

Okay that itme "the sea is alrways right" did sound a little culty

Plan D! Stowaway time!

Uh, Kemen? About to do a little politically motivated arson?

Asleep on a boat you're not supposed to be on that's about to be burned....oww my heart.

Yeah, Isildur was not likely to get his way in that struggle. When one of you wants fire and one of you wants no fire....fire tends to win.

DAMN THERE IT GOES

You're juat gonna believe them, Elendil?

So what's Pharazon's angle here in delaying? Does he just really believe it's for the best? Is he trying to reverse psychology the ladies?

Wait, did they literally promote Halbrand to Lord? On what, the basis of his supposed royal title?

Whoa, did Elrond just spill the beans to Celebrimbor???

I guess...not...? There seems to be some drift here on what exactly it is he swore. Everyone knows, Gil-galad's just relying on him to establish common knowlege so he can start negotiations.

Vast quantities? Quickly? Every last elf? That is an extremely unelvish plan! Sauron has his fingers in this doesn't he.

Bold move, characterizing Elwing so, but I'll allow it.

Technically he could only do it because of her silmaril, if she didn't give it to him he would have just fucken died.

Galadriel apologizes! Good girl. Still trying to push Halbrand to make the decision she wants, though.

Oh snap, Halbrand actually fought with the orcs?

So is this confirmation that the plotlines aren't simultaneous?

"Killed in a place of darkness and despair by servants of Sauron" No lies there at least.

What's this? Self reflection from Galadriel?

Are you SURE that the only way to peace us to keep fighting, though? You were so close

He's not Sauron. I don't even think he likes him.

Lol nice going Waldreg. Willing to bow down to anyone stronger than him.

Rowan no! Now y'all see what you really signed up for

Archery lessons! Lol confirmed. Theo is so totally 14.

Oh hey he came clean about the hilt! The plot continues to move! Good boy Theo.

Uh. Where did that carving come from??

Did Arondir get his armor back? Or were there just spares in the tower?

Aww, poor Bronwyn. I actually really like seeing her hit her lowest point and lose hope, it's like she has an actual personailty beyond Strong Female Character.

Beleriand confirmed (again)

They gonna drop the tower on em? That would be fucken awesome.

Those poor Elven porters having to carry that table all the way to Eregion.

You heard him Elrond. Give it to him raw.

Hey, we're really getting our feelings out!

There can't be that soon of a deadline! That is not how elves! Sauron!!!!

I fucking love Durin's cloak. It's mesmerizing. And the way he's combed out his beard, it looks really nice.

Elrond trying to teach Durin how nice power feels.

Friends!!!

D A M N he cleans up nicely.

Miriel gets an 8/10 on the boobyness of her armor, but it is probably ceremonial so. The rank and file female soldiers are better.

Isildur made it!

Where did Galadriel get her armor back?? Did Halbrand make it for her???

Jesus they're going strong on the Aragorn parallels.

We're going to Middle-earth!