Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 6 BREAKDOWN

[@NerdoftheRings]

Save on your Displate order!: displate.com/nerdoftherings Discount code: NOTR

[@mokeish]

the true lines aren't just underminded, they're misunderstood, the writers think barrow wights are the souls of the dead somehow returned from beyond the void, they don't know how magic works or that is a beyond godlike ability that sauron does not have

[@TheDeviousBandit]

In Norwegian smile is prounanced smil

[@nomdeguerre8464]

So, are you walking back that it was indeed Durin's Bane and NOT the Watcher that the dwarves are digging too deep to find? Because last review you didn't even consider the balrog

[@TheDeviousBandit]

Have you considered sauron teleporting to kahazad dum and back ?

[@NerdoftheRings]

@@nomdeguerre8464 I thought the water flinging up was the Watcher and that it was unrelated to the inevitable balrog confrontation. The balrog has been communicated in the show a lot, so I knew that was coming, but thought perhaps that scene was pointing toward there being many foul things they should fear.

[@jamelephant]

If they want to do call backs to the movies, then they should have Adar absolutely crushing some tomatoes for dinner

[@Gebsequanimity9300]

lmao 😂😂😂

[@christopherladka2463]

I was surprised they didn't like come on guys they missed a lay up

[@samsschool3639]

And have Galadriel sing a song for him

[@wakizashi-f6s]

man you r perfect

[@AmyBrueckman]

I straight up expected them to do that the second they showed Adar and a plate of food

[@blackexican08]

Say what you will about the show but the actor playing sauron is KILLING it man switches between comforting and conniving like a pro

[@stephenlandale631]

Amen!

[@landonloux8235]

Exactly dude. It’s def different from the source material but it’s ok. It’s an adaptation and I’m loving it

[@OG-97]

Agreed, loving the switch up and dwarves, not so much the harfoots

[@devanman7920]

Agreed. The shows a real let down but he's clearly a very good actor

[@becausebuzzbomb6133]

He is extremely good with his facial expressions and body language. I didn't dig him in Season 1, but in Season 2 he does indeed shine.

[@griegomas]

There is a serious scale problem. It feels like there are maybe 10-20k people in the whole world, including orcs and elves.

[@Max1990Power]

Remember at the wedding of Elessar at Minas Tirith. When the camera focus on the hobbits and then pan out to see everyone bow to them. That gives a sign of the scope

[@jamiegaff6150]

tbf at the trial of Eendil and Miriel there are people on the backgrounds on the cliffs but they are so hard to see, but I would agree, the scale and writing has been an absolute car crash apart from annatars scenes they have been pretty good

[@Max1990Power]

@@jamiegaff6150 we got a glimpse of the scope for the orc army when adar showed galadriel. But it was very dark. Difficult to see. Almost battle at winterfell dark

[@Tomy-im8zl]

Come on! There are at least 15 people on Numenor... ok maybe 14 since Valandil died...

[@TribeofBenjamin1]

That's such a low number. It's over 1 million definitely, regardless what numbers you believer

[@StrayBee]

Did anyone else notice that Stranger and Tom were basically going "I had a vision of my friends going to die" "not yet finished, your training is. Lead to the dark side, it might"

[@Bloomazz]

Yea I'd say Bombadil is their most egregious example of character metamorphosis. They could have replaced his role with Farmer Maggot and it'd be probably more in line with what we know

[@matt-tf2ob]

Nobody cares about his friend going to die for the Mission/Bigger picture is the only thing that matters and why Tom is right.

[@Dantick09]

​@@matt-tf2obthat is why this is not Gandalf, Gandalf as no problem spliting and going off on his own business

[@matt-tf2ob]

@@Dantick09 He probably is Gandalf cause who cares about the 2 not so famous Blue Wizards.

[@daves5872]

I feel like part of the ‘test’ is that the Stranger will forego finding his staff, his power, in order to save his friends and this prove his worth.

[@ed.659]

My favourite quote from the entire show was in this episode: "Put yer beard into it!" said by a mining dwarf to another.

[@NerdoftheRings]

Wait…are you serious? I totally missed that if it was actually said. 😂

[@BnBwithMe]

@@NerdoftheRingsits in there, I only caught it because of subtitles. But i loved it hah

[@ed.659]

@@NerdoftheRings Yes! I'm obsessed with it. It is said at the beginning of the "Annatar in Khazad-dum" bit.

[@snickerdoodles787]

My subtitles said bread instead of beard

[@christopherrichardbass-bar5727]

@@NerdoftheRingsNah, I heard this!

[@NerdoftheRings]

EDIT: After some folks pointed it out, I did see that there's some (I think CGI?) extras in the sea trial scene higher on the ridge line. Very easy to miss, imo, but I will credit them in that there ARE more people present.

[@RobKlarmann]

Ok. But your point is still valid nonetheless. It's really not that hard or expensive to double or triple the extras with CGI. We're living in the age of A.I. and you're telling me that should be an issue?

[@jseels]

I agree with you - one big weak point of this show is they don’t PACK the cities or civs with enough people or hustle and bustle. One thing PJ’s film always did well was MASSIVE SCALE. It always felt larger than life and so real even though it was fantasy.

[@kvacm]

CGI or not, empty middle stairs in the middle is a bad choice.

[@Wallyworld30]

@@jseels Laketown feels like it had 100x the people of Numenor.

[@TarisRedwing]

still the scale feels off when they should be showing more people during some scenes. Like bro does all the Mithril come from that one corner the Dwarfs were chased off in the weird bat scene.

[@calebdulinsky3855]

It’s weird how the show feels so small. You have no sense of scale that Numenor could possibly raise an army of tens of thousands to invade middle earth and be so fearsome that Sauron quakes at their advance. You have no sense that the Noldor in Middle Earth, despite waning as the age passes, are still quite numerous and extremely powerful. All we get to see is a few dozen Numenoreans at a time, a few random elves at a time. There’s no sense of scale with the show and it feels so small.

[@alexvinci169]

It is still a TV show. Plus, we had so far no reason at all for huge mass scenes in the open. But it does really help to watch that series not on a smart phone or tablet. That show looks pretty huge and epic on our huge flat screen ;)

[@jimzimmer2048]

@@alexvinci169 100 mil per episode

[@terrasur4168]

@@alexvinci169 Literally more than the budget of Peter Jackson's trilogy. There is no excuse.

[@turnipsociety706]

​@terrasur4168 big armies are boring. You can go watch them in chinese megaproductions

[@Blisterdude123]

@@alexvinci169 That excuse simply does not fly when some streaming shows these days quadruple the budget of an entire movie.

[@punithkumarb9038]

"Bats frighten me. It's time my enemies shared my dread" - Disa

[@papabearlives9995]

So she's batman lol.

[@benburkin7942]

"I'm Bat Disa!"

[@RazorFang18]

You so right for this, lol. xD

[@bambulkomccloud3983]

@@punithkumarb9038 Considering this was filmed during or shortly after covid, when everybody was rightfully terrified of bats, their reaction was totally understandable...

[@JordanDavila]

Disa nuts

[@niallgaffney2475]

Khazad-dûm is huge….but Disa and Durin are going to stop ALL the mining Home Alone style in that one hallway.

[@eyekay103]

Hahaha this! I can't wait to see the trip wires and illusions that an entire army of dwarves is with them!

[@Zzues]

I'm sure she will toss some oil on the floor and slip them up!

[@nehriim3748]

Wasn't it specifically the mythril vein?

[@niallgaffney2475]

And that’s the only entrance to it? It’s the same as Disa dropping her orb and discovering a new cave like 10 feet from the market. Khazad-dum is as big or small as the writers need it to be for the scene they’re writing.

[@deankruse2891]

Silver tuna tonight!

[@rini6]

I keep on thinking of Jack Black when I see Tom Bombadil

[@scribbleknit]

I do too! I keep expecting him to start singing “Peaches! “

[@is_bolo_e_cha]

I was having this strange feeling every time I saw him, and finally I understand what it was.

[@glowingeddy]

When he said precious I was half expecting him to look at the camera and give a wink

[@gavinwoods2737]

😂

[@Books_Lot]

He well might with how deep this movie is in poo

[@TheMarmara2023]

Then a jazz band starts playing

[@JyrkiS]

"The Dwarves had proved untameable..The only power over them that the Rings wielded was to inflame their hearts with a greed of gold and PRECIOUS things...they could not be enslaved to another will..All the more did Sauron hate the possessors and desire to dispossess them."

[@devanman7920]

Same 😂

[@michaelkelleypoetry]

Actually, now that I think about it, just because Adar thinks the crown has special powers to kill Sauron if the Elven Rings are used with that, that doesn't mean he's right. And we know he ultimately fails, so maybe this is just the show showing how Adar is playing with powers too big for him that he doesn't understand.

[@bspitler0]

Dude brained Sauron. If he can do that he's just fine.

[@mimimaitri1]

I was thinking it’s just a plot device to get the crown back to Sauron. And he gets to kill Adar and take his army.

[@MaroLitraTV]

I wonder... Noone noticed Adars gauntlets? 😎

[@Max1990Power]

​@@MaroLitraTVi did. Haha. Convenient

[@TheJmlew11]

We will see if that is the case. That said this show has done little to display that it wouldn’t just make the crown the magical key to killing Sauron.

[@quickhands7008]

Thank you for focusing on the Tom version of Gandalf’s line, I was legitimately in shock that they somehow turned that quote into something about not saving your friends.

[@troywilliams9688]

The whole time I was thinking of Luke's vision while training with Yoda and him trying to convince Luke to stay on the path and not running off half cocked to play hero.

[@eugene8498]

@@troywilliams9688 Thank you, now I know what they have been doing. Cause I never understood why any Istar needed training in magic.

[@davidbeer5015]

Or…maybe it’s a test? And the true answer *is* to save his friends?

[@eugene8498]

@@davidbeer5015 I sure hope so. We'll have to wait and see, but history tells me the writers ain't that bright.

[@davidbeer5015]

@eugene8498 History has been less kind to you, it seems. I’ve honestly thought a good chunk of what they’ve been doing works, and has me fairly confident that that is the intended angle. They’ve gotten a good bit right. Elendil’s whole sequence here alone is fabulous. Just because I’ve seen others make the comparison, he isn’t doing the Yoda, but the reverse. Yoda wanted Luke to forsake his friends for destiny, but Tolkien-wise, I feel like the idea would be the opposite, and that that will be the route they’ll take.

[@RangerHouston]

Annatar walking up behind Celebrimbor with his hammer behind his back had me sweating lmao

[@nancyhayes9958]

Celebrimbor is safe until he forges the Nine. Then, all bets are off. Besides, Sauron wouldn’t be merciful enough to give one of his victims a quick death.

[@bmabs35]

Why on earth did Galadriel tell the leader of an Orc horde where her Ring is, who's carrying it, and where he's headed?

[@Wustenfuchs109]

Because the show needed it. Did you just dare imply intelligence?! This is Rings of Power, we don't do that here.

[@amirbsh3759]

Adar either said you gave me much more information than I wanted.

[@WolvesbaneNetwork]

@@bmabs35 because as is revealed at the end. she's assuming that all Adar has is a small warband not an entire army. Elrond showing up with an army is as much a threat as it is reassurance. She says Adar can't take sauron on himself so not only is she going to reveal that she can help Adar but that an army of elves is coming so he doesn't have a choice. Then he pulls the rug out from under her and tells her that she underestimated him.

[@Alfie-ps6ll]

​@@WolvesbaneNetwork to genuinely believe he had one legion is laughable. She's one of many dumb characters

[@isaacm2374]

Plot holes. Tolkien's lore is full of them. So are the Lord of the Rings movies

[@NerdoftheRings]

NOTE: I'm not saying things can never reference the original LOTR story (and/or films). I'm saying it needs to be things that make sense. A great example is Elendil's words when coming to dwell in Middle-earth, which is what Aragorn sings at his coronation in the ROTK film.

[@martinravn2924]

Agreed the line form bombadil made no sense in that moment.

[@dashwoodhouse11]

I agree with you too! The way Rings of Power is doing this now is very random. I think they want it to come of as "see? We do reference the books!" when it comes off as them trying too hard but not getting the effect. They're trying to trigger nostalgia, but it comes off as cheap. I have not watched the whole recap yet, but I remember the part about "Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give that to them?" It's a favorite Gandalf moment of mine, and to be used that way is just... ugh Edit: Got to the part about this line. Was super sure that a lot got bothered about that line!

[@Frankje01]

@@dashwoodhouse11 agreed, seems they are so afraid to stand on their own or that their audience can enjoy the story as it stands itself that they feel the need to have a constant connection to the movies. That's why we get stuff like Gandalf in the second age. They seem to think that without these known characters there just wouldnt be enough to tell an original story (to the average viewer). Which is ridiculous.

[@imagieb8898]

Corey made a similar point, except he goes in depth to analyze the references in an attempt to understand, instead of dismissing them as nails on a chalkboard.

[@dashwoodhouse11]

@@Frankje01 Yes! I think the showrunners (and whoever the higher ups are involved in this show) severely underestimate what the audience can enjoy and understand. They thought the elves would not fall for Sauron being Annatar - but that is the actual story that Tolkien did create and it worked. It comes off to me as 1) them not knowing anything about the lore 2) them thinking they can do better I understand that they don't have rights to a lot of things, but why couldn't they make their own lines that would suit the story better? Are they so incapable of doing that that they have to copy-paste memorable lines in the book and movies? They have done so well with the Numenor story here, and I'm not sure why it's not consistent with the Stranger story.

[@elijahking6766]

The Numenoreans flip flop like an Olympic game of ping pong.

[@AnnNunnally]

There are not enough of them, either. The crowd work in this show is abysmal!

[@troywilliams9688]

They're really making a mess of the gods tally of who gets drowned and who gets saved

[@vng]

The Numeroreans look dumb because characters cannot be more intelligent than their writers.

[@pandorasbox9294]

It’s no wonder they parish 😂

[@justrandom4304]

They are men after all lol

[@Henez89]

I hated hearing Tom use the Gandalf line. Nothing less satisfying than a prequel taking an iconic line or action and revealing that it was simply someone repeating something they saw before.

[@AnnNunnally]

And totally ruining the Gandalf line. The writers need to reread the source material. Then write "I will not misquote Tolkein" 100 times.

[@scoobysnacker1999]

Agreed, and it made zero sense in that context. Gandalf said it to Frodo, in reference to Bilbo NOT killing an altogether wretched creature in Gollum, saying he may yet have a purpose or value. In this, Tom is telling "stranger" to let a generally good person in Nori, one who befriended and then stuck with him, leave her to die and go try to find his destiny (which he doesn't have a good idea of yet anyway). While I'd like the halfling storyline to go away, it would be pretty callous in-story to do it that way, particularly when Gandalf later makes the statement: "The rule of no realm is mine, neither of Gondor nor any other, great or small. But all worthy things that are in peril as the world now stands, those are my care. And for my part, I shall not wholly fail of my task, though Gondor should perish, if anything passes through this night that can still grow fair or bear fruit and flower again in days to come. For I also am a steward. Did you not know?"

[@Wallyworld30]

@@scoobysnacker1999 Gandalf loves the Hobbit's he will not turn his back on Nori. I don't even get why he should? He can grab his staff off those dead tree's in minutes and the halflings are only a mile or so away. If Tom wants Gandalf to turn his back on his helpless friends because it could take up a day of his time then Gandalf is better off without him. Jolly Tom is not so Jolly in this show.

[@yaroslavgerzhedovich6064]

Gandalf shouldn't be here 3000+ years before he actually came.

[@NuggetEternal]

Tom just feels so off. I get that maybe he's younger but his demeanor is as cold as ice. No warmth whatsoever. Not at all how I imagined him from the books.

[@michaelh3800]

If you look closely on the water edge scene there's a huge crowd watching in the background.

[@tamarinmangold1414]

Yes, was looking for this comment. 👌🏻

[@justingriffiths3466]

Came here to point this out too😅

[@michaelh3800]

It also looks like it was added late to make it look like a big event. The fact that you have to strain your eyes to see it is a problem

[@gilgamesh8334]

It’s not really huge.

[@SK4Madhi_Freal]

Which part? Anyone have a time stamp?

[@ModernCowboy78]

I do have a hard time believing the Elvs would panic like they showed in this episode.

[@janatman]

Preach! I also have a hard time believing that elves wouldn't have seen the approach long before the orcs are standing just across the river when any average Joe Schmoe human would've spotted them.

[@ModernCowboy78]

I'm a fan of this show as I like anything LOTR as we don't get that much live action but this is an oversite.

[@ModernCowboy78]

@@djamel-arbouche yeah that is strange.

[@axellofgren7679]

if you read the silmarillion I think you wouldn't think of it being that weird. Elves are more human like than most people think. Of course they have this "elf aura" around them, but they are far from perfect.

[@Enerdhil]

They don't seem to have an escape plan for females and kids such as the one that Idril made to escape Gondolin.

[@martinravn2924]

I don't like hating on this show as it's a good way to see more of middle earth, but one of things that irritate me the most is the way they portray the elf's. In this show they're just men with pointy ears.

[@giovannischulze1253]

how dare you label them as "men"! they are a diverse crowd of Google interns, from all walks of life!

[@Cmelonie]

I think part of that probably comes from setting we have seen them in thus far. When the elves are given ‘elf things’ to do, it seems to succeed for the most part. Gil-Galad gives a larger than life feel, Elrond really seems to capture the wisdom of the elves, Cirdan their ancient nature, and Arondir shows us the classic badass side to their warriors.

[@jeffreyyoung6714]

It’s not middle earth dude it’s a fan fic

[@Chimpmanboom]

Yes! Elves are supposed to be aliens that are almost perfect not this bs

[@Rauruatreides]

​@jeffreyyoung6714 it's a middle earth adaptation whether you like it or not (for the record I think it's mostly badly written).

[@J0HNJ0RDAN]

Removing the Stranger/DarkWizard/Harfoot story would elevate this show immensely.

[@nancyhayes9958]

Yes, it would. At the very least shoving in into the next season would help.

[@zoe0abundant]

It seems like they have no connection to the other storylines. They have to cross over at some point or it is basically just two shows taking place at the same time.

[@Poopsicle43]

@@zoe0abundantI mean, the stranger knows about Sauron and his evils, so I’m sure at some point the stranger will have a conflict with Sauron

[@Enerdhil]

That is why Episode 5 was pretty good.

[@5quepasa]

In the first season, I would disagree immensely, but I have not seen anything that ties them in with the rest of the show even thematically this season.

[@kevz2474]

Numenorians and Elves in this show are just regular dudes that never left their home town lol

[@supremeotaku6607]

Accurate

[@yoyomayne]

Numenorians are pieces of crap in this show except for Muriel, Elendil and their loyalists

[@leyubar1]

It’s difficult to represent a race of 7ft humans without having 5’10” humans stood next to them

[@harisabram4767]

It is a drama series not a movie. I know they talk about a big budget but that is spread over many series.

[@kmook76]

@@leyubar1 Hmm if only they could use body doubles, camera tricks or choosing taller and shorter actors like in some other trilogy.

[@coryhowell3135]

It is a little frustrating hearing Anatar say, "You need to address your people" and we see a crowd of about 18...it makes the sweeping, massive shots of a city seem much less impactful when crowds are so small

[@tidalsteel]

you guys may hate me for that but I’ve been really enjoying The Stranger and Tom Bombadil scenes lol I confess I don’t have too many books references, I started to read The Fellowship Of The Ring because of season 1 (haven’t finish yet) but for me sounds pretty convincing and also a classic arc of “the mentor of the one who will become a mentor”. it’s also a small storyline in this season, like Isildur and Arondir, they’re not having too much screen time anyways (btw I loved episode 5 lol)

[@Inner_Wings]

Can we agree that for god's sake, legions of orcs this near should have been goddamn spotted by the city ?

[@johnglue1744]

Hahahaha do you’re saying someone possibly could’ve seen all those campfires?

[@nomdeguerre8464]

All 50 or so of them.

[@TurinStark5]

Exactly, it's just so idiotic

[@jasonmarbach]

It’s almost like elven hubris coupled with annatar’s manipulation is a terrible combination or something 🥴

[@laodaron]

Without this feeling antagonistic, are you aware that Sauron, hidden as Anatar, also known as The Great Deceiver, is deceiving the elves of Eregion?

[@acrustykrab]

The Gandalf line from Tom barely even fit the situation, just had to stick it in there. It fit very well for the Gollum/Frodo/Bilbo dynamic but this time just was off.

[@triko03]

In the books Bombadil was always a bit „accept your faith and don‘t be scared“ for Bombadil from the books it was a quite fitting line

[@acrustykrab]

​@triko03 I agree with you that it could fit his character bc Jolly Tom would be a fitting guide for istari, given his wisdom, but in the conversation it was odd. The gandalf line works as a calming and wise thought in response to reckless death dealing or bloodlust. The quote does not discourage saving a life. "Some that die deserve life" is not a literal guide, it just means sometimes death finds those who don't deserve it, and to come to terms with unfortunate death. Not that giving someone life, or trying to save them, is the wrong choice. It can sort of make sense if Tom wants wizard to just accept his friend will die, or that her death is set in stone, but I don't think Tom would ever do that, it's quite cruel. If his friend died, then Tom would use those words to try to comfort him

[@politicallyincorrect2564]

Yeah, like yoh have read the books 😂😂 you just trying to justify the series stupidity in copying ​@@triko03

[@mimimaitri1]

They really love putting book and movie quotes in this show, even if given to a different character and in a different context. It could be done better.

[@windenast]

Was the worst. Geez.. Amazon is so stupid.

[@boobootittleman7299]

Shout out to Disa recreating the bat cave scene from Batman Begins.

[@LOT9T]

I was thinking it was morbin time myself but OK!

[@dominickdonmez19]

For it was cool igaf

[@nomdeguerre8464]

Beyond cringe.

[@dominickdonmez19]

@@nomdeguerre8464 was fire 🔥🔥🔥

[@nomdeguerre8464]

@@dominickdonmez19 yeah, you have said that about 10 times. Almost as if it is your job to do so.

[@andrebomtempo7893]

Dont take me wrong, I love all your content and all your episodes breakdowns, but I simply love every single time they do these references from the movies that you seem not to like.

[@tiabright2724]

I actually love the fact that Annatar emphasizes how much these rings are "precious" because it's a part of the act. The real precious ring is not here yet. So the overuse of "Peter Jackson- trilogy" slogans NEVER loose its true meanings for me - this is where it all begins! They have to talk about the rings like this because Annatar is right - the Rings are the true relics of power of the 4th age, the Simarils are not even heard of in the Peter Jackson trilogy Also Thank You @NOTR, I absolutely love your channel. I watch all your videos. Much Aloha from Maui, Hawaii.

[@gffg387]

Favorite character so far: Glug. My guy just wants the best for his wife and kid.

[@RobKlarmann]

Amen to that! Good on him for not deserting the army. Hope he pulls through...

[@gffg387]

@@RobKlarmann Dude, Glug dying will be the most sad thing ever.

[@iamrubenmes]

Right? He's a cool dude. Unfortunately, that reflects poorly on Amazon for making us root for him.

[@bspitler0]

Imagine Glug being the one to kill everyone important for the rest of the show.

[@PurdyGood]

Every time I see him on screen I imagine his epic moment where he 1v1’s one of our heroes and gets the upper hand. Then he gets a bunch of screen time in the next episode and dies by the end of it.

[@NotSeregnar]

There were a few scenes in this episode where I got the feeling Sauron wanted a taller tower to look out of.

[@jj48]

"Eh, Elves have OK eyesight, I guess, but what I REALLY need is to be a giant, flaming Eye!"

[@MSHKYT]

Saruman: Sauron’s gaze can pierce cloud, shadow, earth, and flesh. He doesn't need a watch tower.

[@Mithereaal]

​@@MSHKYTyou know Saruman was just exaggerating in order to elevate his new master. Otherwise he would have found the one ring

[@nicholasmaddocks7545]

Honestly, Owain Arthur, Charlie Vickers, and Lloyd Owen as Prince Durin, Sauron and Elendil respectively, are absolutely slaying this season. Their performances are well done and very believable.

[@BlueforReason]

I felt the hype with saurons slow motion stride and smile

[@dutchkel]

Nobody wants to congratulate Morffyd I see. She's an excellent actress.

[@attackfox]

They are the three carrying the entire show

[@kraaaah2823]

I felt like in this episode, Lloyd solidified his casting as THE only guy to play Elendil. Like I can't envision anyone but Viggo playing Aragorn.

[@Bayard1503]

@@dutchkel She really isn't in this show... great actors can make even cringe lines work, she never does here

[@fenthras9463]

I don't fully understand how to vocalize my feelings... but Rings of Power feels remarkably low-budget considering how much money has been poured into it. Something about it feels small in scale, which is deeply confounding because we're told these events are meant to be world-shaking.

[@floridaesq]

Terrible writing

[@RedRiverCAE]

As someone who is pretty oblivious to LORT lore, im heavily confused as to how much time is actually passing during a season.

[@Somerandomfilmmakerguy]

Real question. Does references to the Silmarillion make sense to you without context as to what they are?

[@dburgd99]

So are the showrunners.

[@Bayard1503]

I mean... a couple of days?? it's been a month at most since the start of the entire show?? I know it sounds stupid but I could actually defend this if we look how things connect. And why not? Eregion and Lindon are at most a couple days ride away, enough for Elrond and Galadriel to not make a single stop, Valinor is a swim away... Numenor is somewhere in the middle, probably not more than half a day of sailing...

[@ItsButterBean1020]

@@Bayard1503I’d have to imagine it’s longer though right? Like Adar is marching from Mordor to Eregion, that’s gotta be like 100 miles right? Thousands of Orcs marching that distance would be crazy

[@richsw]

The fact they didn't use CGI to create big crowds is such a weird choice. It's even more noticeable in Numeanor, which is always bizarrely empty of people.

[@billedmunds80]

Galadriel is so easily duped in this series. Hardly the character that didn't trust Annatar from the get-go in Tolkien's works. "Hey Galadriel, I have a bridge for sale in Brooklyn. Interested?"

[@Blisterdude123]

I can't believe she was literally about to side with the orcs. Even Adar was like 'tf are you serious, you've lost your mind' when she basically offered to join up with him. Even the BAD guy is like 'tone it down, you've clearly been corrupted by Sauron' lmao

[@kylebeavers]

@@Blisterdude123 couldn't she just have been lying to Adar to eventually get out of captivity. I mean, she's his prisoner after all at this point. She has to find a way to survive the situation. Sauron's not the only one that can deceive to achieve his ends.

[@Blisterdude123]

@@kylebeavers I'd buy that if at any point previously in two seasons of this show, we'd seen some example or evidence of that in her behaviour, her character. We have not. What we have seen is her fanatical, bloodthirsty obsession with hunting Sauron, up to and including gaslighting herself into believing Sauron had tricked her, when really she'd tricked herself. All we have is evidence that she'd do ANYTHING to get Sauron, up to and including siding with....the orcs, apparently.

[@Max1990Power]

​s celeborn supposed to be her ancor? The one to keep her focused and in balance? Because so far Galadriel seems to just stumble into the dark. Until that point when she understand that adar bringing the orc army to eregion was of saurons design.

[@nancyhayes9958]

At least I don’t outright hate her this season.

[@FatherRabbitt]

Did anyone else notice that Annatar’s wig looks better in this episode? The hair looks longer and fuller than previous episodes

[@attackfox]

I noticed this too! It didn’t make his forehead look as terribly huge

[@ecthelionofthefountain8267]

Still looks like a wig though.

[@Caniac76]

He's using L'Oreal by Lothlorien shampoo now that he is in Eregion.

[@498chris]

Yes!!! They fixed his split ends

[@AkiTerry]

😂​@@Caniac76

[@danielbronks4234]

Galadriel is 5000 years old and acts like shes emotionally 17

[@maniachaelgaming]

Charlie Vickers has done such a great job in this series. Playing Sauron as well as playing Sauron playing Halbrand and playing Sauron playing Annatar takes a great amount of talent and character immersion that can’t be overlooked.

[@maniachaelgaming]

I also really like the way Elendil is portrayed. If I knew nothing of the lore and was asked to point out which character reminded me most of Aragorn, I would point to him. They nailed it in my opinion, especially episode 5 of this season onward.

[@OnlyRoke]

As you pointed out last week, I don't love that the Dwarven Rings are already making people power-hungry and mad (since they're supposed to be passed down for generations), but the overall drama of the king gone mad and his son struggling to reach out to him is really neat.

[@nomdeguerre8464]

@@OnlyRoke yeah, well, it's just causing them to wake Durin's Bane about an age and a half too early, but whatever

[@clearwiredatl]

I'm wondering if that might be sauron manipulating durin III since his condition is what sparked Brimby's potential willingness to make the 9.

[@kdr121279]

Counterpoint to the argument about dwarves passing down things for generations that make them power-hungry/mad... there are plenty of examples from history where heirlooms passed down created nothing but strife for families. Property is a great example... how many family squabbles have came from something passed down? Yet, it's still something highly desired. I dunno, I think you and NOTR have a great point about that with the rings... but I do think history shows us that people will pass powerful/valuable things down even when they cause lots of problems.

[@REAPER3fitty]

"Neat" wow

[@TheJmlew11]

It’s neat but it would have been more effective if all throughout the show we’ve had conflict between the two Durin’s.

[@stroiaioana14]

elendil has such Ned Stark vibes this season

[@refl3ktor]

Thought this very thing as i was watching

[@bharatjakati5531]

Not to mention the daughter who’s shacking up with the corrupt heir to the throne.

[@forcecaptainoverlordsuprem2964]

I like Eddard

[@awesomehpt8938]

Celebrimbor shouldn’t feel bad for forgetting that woman’s name I can’t remember the names of pretty much all of the made up characters in this show.

[@NerdoftheRings]

lol! I almost made a joke about understanding him not remembering her name because it doesn't appear in the books. haha

[@nomdeguerre8464]

Easily forgettable

[@turnipsociety706]

"Made up" is not what you expected? You wanted historically accurate and documented real people?

[@srk4044]

​@@turnipsociety706I think they mean made up for the show, and not coming from JRR Tolkien

[@fishjcb]

@@turnipsociety706are you aware that the show has source material?

[@OswaldoTortoledo]

That damn callback was almost a dealbreaker for me. It undermines Gandalf and his wisdom so much, making it sound like he just remembered a phrase that Ol' Tom told him ages ago. So stupid

[@lothos-tu4uh]

...why does Celebrimbor (Feanors grandson) look older than Cirdan (one of the oldest elves alive at this time)...? 🤔

[@Askyl]

Because in this adaption, Humans are cast as characters playing Elves. Unfortunetly, they didn't get the rights to any boats to valinor to go get some real elves. Tolkien Estate holds tight on those rights. Legend says Jackson only got to go pick up one elf and brought back Thranduil to play him self in The Hobbit.

[@alphabarre9096]

You probably think everything is real.

[@davem3953]

If the Numenoreans are fickle, imagine if they had the internet.

[@troyjanagujar3384]

with all the internet trolls too

[@Blisterdude123]

This is the problem with condensing thousands of years of events into...what...a year? Two maybe?

[@RobKlarmann]

Touché!

[@troyjanagujar3384]

@@Blisterdude123 they should take notes with game of thrones, they know how to give personalities to different factions of the mob. Etc kings landing

[@swright8566]

​​@@troyjanagujar3384Meh, I stopped watching or reading anything GoT related since the author can't be arsed to finish the series of books.

[@OnlyRoke]

I am still holding out hope that The Stranger and The Dark Wizard are the two Blue Wizards and they are purposefully dressed up to look like Gandalf and Saruman, because the showrunners decided to go with an idea akin to "The two Blue Wizards both bungled their mission and later on Gandalf and Saruman were sent to redeem what they were supposed to be." so we have proto-look-alike versions of Gandalf and Saruman.

[@swright8566]

I don't know why but I have a feeling Tom will give The Stranger his hat and cloak thus making him a blue wizard. All the Gandalf references are too obvious and perhaps this is more of an Istar reference.

[@HarrywiseGamgee]

Me too! I feel the show-runners want to impress core viewers like us by surprising us. Making him Gandalf is too easy. Besides, it’ll make the dark wizard totally random.

[@cptblack9801]

he is 1000000% gandalf, they have been giving us small hints now and there. and since this show is written by 12 year olds i can guarantee u he is gandalf

[@alkintanriverdi4306]

Come on seriously. After the "many that die deserve to live..." sentence... So what? Did Gandalf hear it from Bombadil 🤬

[@jeffmcguire1965]

I'm the same - it will be a disappointment to be Gandalf - so I have this theory (wishful thinking?) that the showrunners knew that Gandalf was everyone's expectation, so they are teasing with it to make the reveal more shocking. It just seems at this point, if the stranger turns out to be Gandalf, it will just feel like a 'meh'.

[@saphyrionelendilion7166]

I think this season is far from great, but I admit I really appreciate the way the are making Sauron such a manipulator by pushing Adar in attacking Eregion for him

[@NerdoftheRings]

The Sauron manipulation is top of the list for things done well imo. Seeing him nudge people like chess pieces has been fun to see.

[@TmHudsonArt]

@@NerdoftheRings This was the main thing I wanted to watch the show for as Sauron's methods in the second age always interested me and i am glad they are delivering well on that part of the story at least. Looking forward to how he does the same with Pharazon in Numenor...

[@jseels]

Charley Vickers is one of the best actors and parts of the show! Elindil is right up there as well!

[@Solaire67645]

And you're satisfied?

[@Wustenfuchs109]

Except that his manipulation and power are misrepresented. But, characters are always as smart as people writing them - so nothing better could be expected from these writers anyway. For an example how it should be done, just look at all other shows and films that had a surprise twist and good manipulators - when a smart writer is sitting at the table, they are fooling you as well, you don't get the truth until the very end and things fall into place. In this show, Sauron fooled no one, especially not the audience. The show made characters fooled by him because they needed it to happen - but made absolutely no effort to make it believable - instead, they made all characters Sauron interacts with retarded, so he can look like a smart master manipulator.

[@LukeRocha-f7u]

Honestly just happy to see Tolkien on screen again

[@ODST_Republic]

Tolkien wouldn't approve of this and would be upset how they butcher his world and themes of his actual book

[@abaray123]

Did people miss the meta reference of how the Rings of Power will become the main story and the Silmarils would just be a side note. Lord of the Rings vs. The Silmarillion reference?

[@randimccone]

Annatar's illusion conjuring near the end was fkn perfect 👌 best thread of the series. Also Elendil is badass and I'm here for it!

[@randimccone]

Also, sometimes I agree the prequelitis is too much , for the use of the word precious, I found it perfect: Pre-cious adjective (of an object, substance, or resource) of great value; not to be wasted or treated carelessly. "precious works of art"

[@nancyhayes9958]

The actor playing Sauron is having way too much fun and killing the role, but I could have lived without the “precious” comment.

[@adampoultney8737]

9:30 I view this as Adar fundamentally not understanding what Sauron is

[@ghostdreamer7272]

I don’t blame him for that. But he understands Sauron better in *some* ways than others

[@jcacustodio01]

i didn't mind the 'precious' from Annatar, i kinda like that it was a term originally from Sauron, but I agree about the references from the stranger and Tom...

[@JSTpacek]

you really are a nerd (after seeing you measuring the distance with a ruler). :) i was hoping miriel's vision would come back after she passed the trial (valar healing her).

[@WackQuack99]

Hear me out... In the show they'll use part of Morgoth's crown to make the One Ring along with Mithril.

[@muzzyali8011]

this show is obsessed with Mithril jesus Christ. They'll probably use it in the Numenorian ships that go west for whatever reason.

[@futspychatshit9718]

I enjoy these breakdowns more than the episodes themselves

[@AnnNunnally]

I have been hate watching since I saw the first episode in Season 1. But I also blame the people who would not let them use all of Tolkein's books.

[@awesomehpt8938]

We’re near the end of season 2 and we still haven’t seen anything of Anarion (the first king of Gondor) but we’ve had plenty of Elendils annoying evil daughter. Sigh!

[@SaintFort]

The show is not the books. It's a loose adaptation of the books, so its events will play out differently.

[@Rauruatreides]

​@@SaintFortit's not so much they are changing the book content, and rather that the things they have changed haven't really been interesting.

[@BlueforReason]

Obviously youre not going to get anarion. They have to condense 1000 years into ten. Or we would be getting 20 seasons where absolutely nothing happens. I thought it was obvious that elendil will be the first king.

[@cassieo]

I think he will show up next season when Elendil goes to have a chat with him about the Faithful leaving Númenor. Probably going to have a nice long grief session about wife/mom and Isildur, then deciding to go help the Elves.

[@MaroLitraTV]

@@BlueforReason Of course we are getting Anarion in the next season. In season 1 Elendil told Isildur that Anarion is on the west side of Numenor where most of the Faithful live and the showrunners hinted that we will see him

[@ThinkViralShorts]

Eregion has also been so underwhelming. The gwaith-i-mirdain are portrayed as weak inexperienced individuals rather than the great Jewel smiths they are and they make it seem like Eregion has one city. It's an entire region, with its capital city being Ost-in-edhil. But it seems like they skipped that and have allowed Adar to camp right outside the walls of the city without any confrontation.

[@mimimaitri1]

They completely missed out on the chance to show us why it was such a special place, and how impressive the elven realms must have been before the 3rd age.

[@dashwoodhouse11]

Yes, they could have take the time to at least have someone run or walk through Eregion. Showing the normal people and the Gwaith-i-mirdain and how they usually are in time of peace. I didn't know why they didn't take the time to make us care for these elves. When the sacking of Eregion happens, we'll only feel bad for Celebrimbor because he's the only one we cared about there. Comparing that to Lord of the Rings which spent some time showing normal citizens of Rohan and Gondor before the battles happened. They showed men being separated from their families, children being forced to flee without their mother because of war. That shot straight to the heart and gave more weight to the bloodshed on the screen.

[@bmabs35]

Numenor too for that matter. I don't get the impression these are the mighty people they're supposed to be.

[@ItsButterBean1020]

Yeah I wish we got to see Adar invading the outlying regions, burning them down before making a move on the capital; shrouded by Sauron’s arts

[@Slayer398]

@@bmabs35 they don't look any different from anyone you see anywhere outside your window or walking down the street and that's amazingly underwhelming.

[@MrHobbes6]

Really felt Annatar's line to Celebrimbor: "One last time." So damn cold. Chilling delivery by Charlie Vickers, and heartbreaking reaction from Charles Edwards. The magma of Mount Doom"--gonna shout it from the rooftops even if I'm wrong, but I really feel like that's the One Ring being forged, and I think Halbrand used the Southlands sigil to make it at the end of season one. I loved Annatar's illusion of Eregion and the transition back to reality, with the exception of the bad direction of extras. The elves in this show too often feel like nothing but pointy-eared humans, and in that scene they were behaving like unimaginative depictions of medieval peasants: running around in mindless panic, falling down and even shoving each other. I get it that they're not used to their peace being threatened, but I feel like there should still be some foundation of wisdom and grace.

[@benjamincostello]

At first, I thought the Disa and the bats thing was ridiculous, but then I realized that she and bats both use echolocation and then it seemed kind of awesome.

[@hannahdaisy6905]

I don't mind the "precious" references by Sauron. After all the one ring came from him and it seems that people refer to it as precious without even realising it. It shows the influence that Sauron and the ring have over everyone. For him to be using it in a prequel makes sense if it's his preferred choice of language. It would then later explain why others refer to the ring in this way too. It further shows how pervasive his words are.

[@luchi850]

100% true. I thought this was an obvious plot point to make. I don't understand the criticism of it. The ring bearers have a subconscious desire to refer to the One Ring as 'Precious'. Why? How? What for? Imagine not explaining or adding background to one of the most iconic phrases of the entire legendarium.

[@attackfox]

Well said

[@craigching]

I agree with this take

[@Bruh-pp2bh]

One of the few good/cool things this show has done

[@pedror7992]

oh my oh my

[@JuanRodriguez-mp8mh]

I think Annatar slicing his hand and placing it on Celebrimbor's arm is what he uses to create the illusion

[@attackfox]

I was a bit curious what the blood letting was for

[@ninfreak95]

Nah I think he put his blood in the "refined" mithril.

[@sixseasonsandamovie8753]

It's s stain for the mithrils, it's how he tampers with celebrimbors forges

[@friendlyfiddler5727]

@@ninfreak95 Not even that. Remember he did not convince Durin to get more mithril, so these rings are gonna be made out of normal metal and Sauron´s blood, which was covered by the illusion into looking like mithril, and will allow him to control the Men who wield them "as if they were mere extensions of his body and will"

[@Jibcutter]

Agreed, I think it was used to help cast the illusion for Celebrimbor as he soon after gripped him with that hand. The mithral he could have influenced it whenever it was in his possession.

[@matheusavila2688]

Elendil Stark, a man of duty and faith

[@WaWxChasers]

Overall I enjoyed this episode. I really love the way they are depicting Elendil’s faith. Honestly that scene where he decided not to bow to Ar-Pharazôn is how I’ve imagined not bowing to the anti-Christ. Resolute faith in what he knows is true, regardless of what earthly consequence may follow.

[@chiprodda2634]

I found Tom’s words to “Gandalf” at the dead trees as a lesson. One in which “Gandalf” will impart later on to his student.

[@neomoscoso10]

Annatar became an awesome orchestral director towards the end of the episode.

[@nomdeguerre8464]

@neomoscoso10 "awesome" Wigs of power.

[@vickielittleton6373]

Longhair Music

[@danielshimmin3438]

Thank you for your review. Yes rings of power is desperately disappointing in places, but I'm tired of all the reviews hating so hard on it.

[@rollo4722]

One callback I actually enjoyed was “the sea is always right”… it made no sense in season 1 but the trial by sea monster thing made it work

[@jj48]

I think it's ok for it not to make perfect sense, personally. Given what we heard during the ceremony last episode, I get the impression that the Faithful don't fully understand all the rituals and things they're doing. Like, they have some knowledge of the Valar, and try to respect them and keep the customs as best they can, but even among them, much knowledge has been lost and some things have just become ritual.

[@clementjacques8043]

Are we not gonna complain that Arondir appeared for like 1min and never again and had no clear purpose because we already knew Adar was planning to attack ?

[@mimimaitri1]

Yeah, it felt like bad editing. I have a feeling we will figure out next week why he needed to find that map.

[@acrustykrab]

i thought he was gonna warn Eregion or something lol nope

[@jseels]

Guys give him a break… he didn’t know his girlfriend’s actor was gonna bail on the show to fight injustice in her country 😂

[@Phlickit]

I think the purpose is not so much to show that Adar is planning to attack, but to show us that he knows where the orcs are going and gives him a reason to go in that direction himself. That way, when Arondir shows up at Eregion in the battle, we won't go: "How did he get here? I thought he was way over there?"

[@Bayard1503]

@@jseels Oh, I hope she succeeded in freeing Iran by doing... what exactly?

[@bambulkomccloud3983]

Aren't all Istari servants of the secret flame? Yes, Gandalf used this phrase, but this should apply to all of them, right?

[@MoldyMojoMonkey]

I have my fingers crossed that this is the case, that this isn't Gandalf, and that it's all just been a cunning misdirect.

[@WhiskerDooz]

I think they stop being "servants" when they are corrupted and use their power for evil

[@ArturoRamirez2003BS]

@@MoldyMojoMonkeyhim not being Gandalf at this point would be worst for the story

[@Lord_Nordan]

@@ArturoRamirez2003BS I agree. If he ends up not being Gandalf, then it makes the harfoot storyline completely meaningless.

[@danielnilsson9835]

Hopefully something old Tom told all Istari 😅

[@acnash27]

Regarding Annatar cutting his hand, I took it as part of the ritual for his illusion spell he cast on Celebrimbor. Notice when he threatens him he uses his cut hand to grab him, and the show lingers on him holding onto Celebrimbor with the cut hand, like it’s important to the spell that is cast.

[@friendlyfiddler5727]

I´m pretty sure when he gave Celebrimbor "refined mithril" he instead just gave him something filled with his blood to forge the 9, so that this time is not that he "touched/stained" the rings, but that his very essence is forever inside them and without mithril to in any way counteract it, powering the rings and yet binding them to his will unquestionably. Remember he didn´t manage to convince Durin to grant them more mithril once they spent all they had...

[@JQUE94]

Yall both made some great points about those two scenes

[@drewmck7624]

I have not examined all of the comments, but is anyone else distracted by Pharazon's look? Tenacious P.

[@leyubar1]

I LOVE the props in this show. The trumpets that you point out are awesome (also, so is Feanor’s hammer in particular). I also love that the SFX cue is reminiscent of a train horn and comes almost immediately after the phrase “light at the end of the cave” (which is obviously a prompt for the audience to be thinking about tunnels and trains!)

[@rey2352]

There was another clear reference to the point in The Two Towers movie when Saruman reveals his Uruk-hai army to Wormtongue. Both the lines spoken at that point and the visual shots were the same as The Two Towers, just changed a bit (it would take a number beyond reckoning/just one legion then cut to shot overlooking a larger army)

[@ggeraci145]

Did you notice Arondil has a leaf of Lórien on his cloak? Thought that was a nice little touch.

[@InternetUser-bd7ku]

I loved the dialog between Galadriel and Adar in their first scene. Specifically at the table when Adar is trying to convince her he can help her destroy Sauron. She responds with frustration building in her voice yet with a straight face saying, "...and what help can you possibly provide," then the eyebrows and look of disgust, "orc". Glad she was able to communicate her great disgust for them still even after the guilt trip.

[@OliverLodgeMusic]

But because they've humanised the orcs so much so that I don't see them as any less deserving of having a place to live in Middle Earth it makes Galadriel come across as an evil person filled with hate and she even uses slurs against this "race". Not exactly good when viewed through a modern lens, which is what the show wants.

[@GeorgeMasterclass]

While reading the Silmarilion, the book made it clear that Numenorians were a superior form of human, closer to Elven Lords than to the Men of Middle Earth. They were taller, stronger, wiser and long living. Whenever their huge ships docked at Middle Earth, the locals were awe stricken by how noble, superior they looked, at the same time they were feared for their might and wrath. Moreover Numenor was the land of the West, it should be more Western looking, the show went for a very eastern look, for the city and and its armies are mix of ancient Carthage and Rohan. I'd prefer to see a more Roman, Greek, Byzantine and Gothic architecture mix for the city, for a more austere looking seat of a fantacy super power. Finally the Numenorians were very good seamen, and their favorite weapons were their super strong hollow bows.

[@solomondutoit7237]

@NerdoftheRings If you take a closer look at the scene, at the end of the sea trial, there are quite a number of Numenorians standing on the cliffs watching the sea trial

[@kronlidmusic]

yeah, i didnt see that when watching the episode but i noticed it in the video, i wonder if he missed it aswell

[@Jokoufro]

I was going to mention this as well. Didn't notice them during the episode but watching the stills in the breakdown, seems like a lot of people showed up for the trial. Great catch!

[@EWE1290]

Is it me or is it super strange that they never show the elven smiths actually working? It’s always them standing there after having finished working. I loved in ROTK when they showed the elves making Anduril on their forge, it seemed so authentic where now in this show, it seems weird we only see them standing around

[@jj48]

Maybe the Eregion smiths have unionized.

[@EWE1290]

@@jj48 haha always on their union breaks. 20 on 30 off lol

[@Bayard1503]

Fire is dangerous. Are you a mad man?

[@WolvesbaneNetwork]

@@EWE1290 I gotta be honest I've always disliked that anduril scene. Mainly because hammering two flat pieces of metal next to each other is useless. Like there was no effort to show any real blacksmithing, just hammering hot metal.

[@EWE1290]

@@WolvesbaneNetwork interesting, to be honest I don’t know much about blacksmithing so if that’s true then that’s kind of weak, but it’s more effort than just showing elves standing around after having finished working lol

[@TheScreamMan]

Its worth noting we only have Angars word that the crown was the key to killing Sauron. I mean it didn't do the job before. He also proceeded to follow up all he told Galadriel by saying it was all a lit to get her to talk anyway, so Im not convinced that the claim about the crown is true.

[@TurinStark5]

Plus it was way too small to be Morgoth's crown. He was massive in size and that crown is for a normal head

[@dutchkel]

​@@TurinStark5He said Sauron reforged it for his own head.

[@NikolisKitchen]

I really don't get why people are just 100% jumping on "yep, it's Morgoth's crown" when Adar was clearly manipulating her and trying to get her to reveal what she knew.

[@Phlickit]

@@dutchkel I was literally opening my mouth to say "that's gotta be way too small to fit Morgoth's head" when Adar added the line that Sauron refit it for himself. Criticism withdrawn.

[@svenningen]

Love the language detail brought from the Prancing Pony folks! I listened to their pod too, fantastic! I'm glad to see season 2 feeling like a better trajectory for most people I hear from!

[@vflshred8796]

I think to some extent, we're picking this show apart because the trilogy was so great. But, it didn't go without its own flaws. Over time I think we've probably forgotten some of that with the powerful thing that is nostalgia. Is the Rings of Power flawed? Yes. Is it canon? No. Because of those things, I think we should do better and let them tell their version of the story. Mainly from scarce information/text that the Tolkien Estate would not grant them to use.

[@Siobhan-yw5sb]

Love these videos, love the discernment between the books and the choices of the programme folks but my god, how is this not simply an amazing show? If we go back to the dark ages of only having a cartoon, nerdom will deserve what befalls it!!

[@yoyomayne]

The people of Numenor really pissed me off in this season. One minute, they're siding with that piece of crap Pharazon, then they suddenly change their mind about him for Muriel who they just hated for losing men in war just because the sea monster didnt eat her. Elendil's daughter is a traitor to her own kin, and I'd renounce her, if only temporarily, but what she did is unforgivable. I just hope Muriel, Elendil, and all who are truly loyal to them depart from treacherous Numenor before the Valar thrash that place. Ofc Elendil will but yea...

[@OliverLodgeMusic]

Did she become the Queen again or what? Weird that Balzagar? seemed to immediately side with her as well when he seemed to be pharazons main evil man

[@stephenlandale631]

Could be different Numenorians -- "King's Men" showing up in Armenelos, Faithful showing up so support one of their own in a ritual they hope will prove his innocence.

[@yoyomayne]

@@OliverLodgeMusic she is once again queen, but now not just of Numenor, but the sea as well lol

[@yoyomayne]

@@stephenlandale631 yes, but they don't make that clear at all

[@haileyranson8255]

I know its not really related to anything mentioned in this video, but I love the musical theme used to represent Numenor!

[@kellerlambert]

Dude I just have to say your breakdowns are so damn good. Super appreciative of people like you with a keen attention to detail and a passion for the source material, without overdoing it. Well done.

[@SVK91]

Seriously, how is this show not legitimately categorized as a soap opera?

[@aaabroad5904]

I wonder why Adar still chooses to go ahead and attack Eregion, even with the knowledge that he is doing exactly as Sauron intended?

[@trentw.3566]

He thinks he has brought so many troops it won't matter. But obviously seeing Sauron wielding Morgoth's crown in the trailer signals Adar's failure and likely his death in episode 7 or early in ep 8.

[@defektedtoy2731]

Hubris.

[@BeetleFuzz]

Absolutely agree with the annoying references to the movies... When Durin was asking Durin to take off the ring, I was yellign at the screen: "DONT SAY IT...." frearing that Durin was going to call it his precious... Its so distracting, these usurped lines...

[@300DBenz]

I think Sauron will use Morgoth’s crown as ingredients when he forges the One Ring.

[@NerdoftheRings]

Not a bad theory! And honestly it would be kind of a cool original element!

[@300DBenz]

@@NerdoftheRings In season 1 the elves *and Halbrand* (a.k.a Sauron) wanted to use the mithril to forge a crown before the elves decided on the 3 rings instead. Sauron likes crowns, but he needs the ring(s) more, and a crown won’t control them, only a ring can.

[@tableshaper4076]

the fact that you think about this show is telling. PUT DOWN THE SOY.

[@19Moeller]

Huge fan of your work! I gotta ask, the music used in this epidose breakdown is there anywhere to find it? I really like listening to it.

[@Eric_M_R]

lol... I'm using "Forrest Gump'ing" from now on until I die.

[@NickMartelli]

I’m ok with Sauron fast travel

[@jjOHNji]

I was thinking the same thing, sauron managed to travel to khazad dum and back again in a blink of an eye. Yet in previous episodes, they showed elrond company couldn't even get to eregion to see celebrimbor due to a so-called bridge collapse. I mean, who writes this crap, whats worse is this went through checks during the writing stage and these directors, show runners okay'd it

[@MSHKYT]

@@jjOHNji Sauron can shapeshift into whatever he needs.

[@jeffreyyoung6714]

@@jjOHNji it’s intentionally bad. It’s the only explanation. Even the most freshman writers could do a decent job with the vast amount of material they have.

[@owenboss1030]

I meant to be fair it's not like Khazad-Dum is super far from Eregion

[@NikolisKitchen]

I loved the irony of him complaining about the Siege of Eregion lasting two years immediately followed by him complaining about fast travel where we're clearly meant to understand that some time has passed. Like we know they'll be damming the river, he's got to get forces in place and a plan to do that, organize their forces, etc etc... plenty of stuff for Adar to do before signaling the full attack, which he was clearly waiting to confirm Sauron was in Eregion before launching the attack anyway.

[@dallinadams9422]

Like always, I love your reviews. You are cool and collected providing a well educated but still unbiased opinion, giving vent to frustrating moments, acknowledging when you were mistaken, and giving praise to moments where they actually do a good job. I definitely agree with your frustration of recycling profound lines and putting them out of context. Also, no kidding about the quick travel, 300 MILES? Definitely just a days walk away... You would think they would be carrying more when they are traveling, such as packs or pack animals. They make it seem like the elves live right on the doorstep of Khazad-Dum with how often they travel between the two. I do agree though that overall Season 2 is better than Season 1 as it is more in line with the canon. I honestly have no idea how they plan on arranging events though with how compressed they have made it. I wonder at what point Sauron will actually forge the One Ring, something that needs to happen at least before he gets captured and brought to Numenor.

[@TheScreamMan]

Regarding the Trail at the water: While there are only 30-50 extras in the foreground, there ARE crowds of people all over the cliffs behind, indicating that this is a big deal for a large mass of people.

[@happyredpanda]

On another note, that Aragorn painting you used is fantastic! Beautiful! 👏👏👏 Kudos to the artist Vanderstelt 👍🏼

[@caolanod2261]

"The dwarves have been tardy with their delivery." Prince Durin IV: I don't feel tardy.

[@koenigseggkid1678]

Faith is not faith if it is not lived was one of the greatest lines ever. It's the same as my Christian faith and really hit hard.

[@xxEvangelineRxx]

I felt the same way, too ❤

[@lauras6762]

Same!

[@corax86]

WHERE IS ANARION? You're father is on trial, brother believed to be dead, sister kind of a traitor, and Anarion doesn't care? He was mentioned in Season 1 after all.

[@ruigerd]

Good point

[@bmabs35]

@@corax86 Amandil's nowhere to be seen either. Absolutely baffling.

[@muzzyali8011]

Seems like the series has purposely changed everything. So they basically replaced Anarion with a woman, added in unnecessary characters like Gandalf and the hobbits, etc. It's just so baffling how the creators of this show disregarded the source materials so badly. Peter Jackson omitted characters only because there were too many.

[@corax86]

@@muzzyali8011 But Anarion WAS mentioned in a conversation, so he is in Rings of Power. He just does not appear for some reason.

[@muzzyali8011]

@@corax86 ahh didn't notice that but they should've just had Anarion instead of her. It would made so much more sense than just to 'add' a daughter for no reason