Rings Of Power Episode 6 Reaction & Review | Udun | Prime Video

[@Phi1618033]

When the water hit the lava it instantly turned to steam, and all that steam in a confined space is essentially a bomb. So, yes, it's science.

[@ValentinasWatching]

Remember when Adar 1st heard the gallops of the Numenorians, he came out of the people's keep and told Waldrig he had a task for him. That's when Waldrig took the key and the entire time Galadriel was chasing Adar they didn't even bother to open the package to make sure it was the key. So it was swapped early on. This is why at the end I think she's in shock and realizes how short sighted they've been without getting ahead of the opponent's strategy. Perhaps she blames herself since she has a tendency to take on all the weight on her shoulders. Perhaps this is what changes her approach from now on.

[@Jehphg]

they're so petty they're not paying attention

[@athenacooper3130]

They're not being petty, it's just a very quick beat. I've seen multiple positive reactions to the episode where the watchers missed it.

[@chrishw44]

@@athenacooper3130 this part is easy to miss I agree. But I do feel they are going in wanting to hate the show. (I love these 2 so I hate saying this but I struggle to watch lord of the rings reactions)

[@ValentinasWatching]

@@chrishw44 I feel the same.

[@Jehphg]

@@athenacooper3130 it's pettiness, this isn't the only beat they missed on this or other episodes because they weren't paying attention, most of their doubts at the end of the episode were dumb ones and answered both in this and in previous episodes, but they were too busy trying to find stuff to complain about, and this is coming from someone that actually likes them most of the time, I think the problem is that they are Peter Jackson's fans first and foremost, they THINK they're Tolkien fans, they keep making stupid assumptions about the original material that do not fit what was written or Tolkien's philosophy, but because they created a wrong set of assumptions based on the movies they keep not getting what they wanted and it became a petty game to find issues with.

[@AlexRybitski]

There was also a moment before the Numenoreans showed up (after Adar got the sword) that he stepped outside and asked Waldreg to do a task for him. It was a switcheroo, though still kind of hilarious that nobody checked to make sure the bundle was actually the sword 😅

[@psycho9815]

They didn't check because i think there were more pressing matters like injured people

[@psycho9815]

Plus nobody knew what it was except arondir and theo and brownwyn

[@markcruz359]

even if they checked it, the old guy already got away

[@hyims1149]

@@markcruz359 right? Like I'm so tired of everyone screaming at the characters to look at it when 1. Only three of them knew what it was anyway 2. Even if they did, it wouldn't have changed what happened.

[@markcruz359]

@@hyims1149 imagine if Galadriel actually looked at it straight away her reaction would just be like "whats so special about this axe?"

[@TheJordanK]

I’ve seen ppl trash Galadriel’s acrobatics and I’m like did you not watch Legolas snowboard down an elephant 😂

[@NerdyNightly]

Nah I'm down for the Galadriel acrobatics. Her armor looked amazing in combat too

[@frankynovotny2030]

Shield surfing down stairs, under-backwars mounting a horse midflight, shooting three arrows at once, using an arrow to stab an orc in the face, running up falling stairs. The list goes on haha

[@hobbybrauer]

@@NerdyNightly Also, there are russian cossacks doing exactly those type of acrobatics on horseback. It is obviously not impossible (much more realistic than some of Legolas moves).

[@mirceadacialorantbrescia4340]

@@hobbybrauer turks and mongols also did this. watch "battal gazi" movies in youtube lol

[@Phi1618033]

Some people are just looking for reasons to hate this show.

[@subculturenz]

Majority of Galadriel's powers were said to come from her Ring, Nenya.... Which has not been forged yet. Also LOTR has plenty of grey characters, the elves are not purely good as they have fought between each other, even Galadriel is a not pure good until she passes the test in the Third Age. I think you guys have some weird misconceptions on Tolkien's characters as many would treat any orc the same because they are fallen creatures not worthy of life or respect.

[@jud555]

Yeah they keep wanting the show to be just like the Jackson movies. If it's not like the movies then I don't like it! 🤣

[@lix1916]

Yup im sure they didn't read the books and only watched P.J movies.

[@subculturenz]

@@lix1916 yes and even then the whole movies are based on the fact that these people who want to do good are also easily corrupted with the idea of pure power and domination over all life. One can never be purely good if these temptations are what manifest in their minds. They also mention that LOTR isn't supposed to be like Game of THrones and the Author of GOT literally inspired a lot of his writing from Tolkien but just added curse words, gratuitous violence and sex.

[@subculturenz]

@@jud555 yeah. they neglect to see Galadriel whispering evil tidings into their minds once they enter Lorien... She literally tells Boromir that his line will fail and so will his people and his city will fall, and then goes Thermo nuclear when Frodo offers her the ring.

[@Krobra91]

@@subculturenz that scene isn't her whispering evil tidings. By the time LOTR happens, she forsee's Boromir being corrupted as a member of the house of Anarion. As for going thermo nuclear, that is more of a result of being offered the One Ring. which her ring Nenya is still bound towards. Galadriel is the only person in third age timeframe who can wield the one ring should it be offered to her. However she passed the test and was allowed to return to Valinor, recognizing that this is not her quest anymore to overtake, and instead intrusts frodo. She also uses her powers to keep Lorian safe, and summoned a lightning storm and tornado and destroyed Dol Guldor while Frodo was at Mt Doom.

[@PensandoRPG]

About Waldreg. When Númenor comes, Adar says: Waldreg i have a task for you or something like that. And delivers it to them. Galadriel doesn't know what the item is, so it doesn't matter if she checks it or not. The first time they could check it is when Arondir gets the item from Galadriel. And then it was already too late.

[@tomascarvalho7514]

How did the Numenoreans knew where to go on the southlands. The map that they had of the southlands was detailed enough and with the help of Halbrand they're able to know which was the path to the several villages. The cavalry passed through the mountains passage that would later be known in the 3rd age as the morgul vale. C'mon guys 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Krobra91]

Its actually not that hard if you look at the map. They most likely sailed up the Anduin river, landed in what would be considered third age OSGILIATH. and rode east. If thats true, then the watch tower sits on the borders of the mountain (which would make the watch tower cirith ungol). Once you hit the watch tower, its a straight way down to the flat valley floor to Orodruin..

[@MrNorbo95]

They seem desperate for everything to have a plot hole.

[@ryanhollis7517]

Not to mention Galadriel can see really really far

[@AWSVids]

@@MrNorbo95 Right?! They act like everything needs to be IMMEDIATELY self-evident, or they get super agitated and ready to criticize. It's like... calm down and try letting the episode play out and then take some time to think about it. Especially if you find yourself not very quick on the uptake with a lot of things. Oftentimes a rewatch of the episode after reveals is needed before you jump to the conclusion that something doesn't make sense and get all agitated about it and let it distract from the next however many seconds of the episode, which is likely to make you miss more stuff and then get more confused later on about things you missed, etc... very frustrating reaction to watch.

[@MrReded69]

Or maybe they just followed the sound and SMELL of a big bunch of orcs?!

[@-Knife-]

I’m surprised you two missed so many details this episode lol. Despite complaints about the show, you two usually pick up on it. Also Galadriel has never seen the hilt as well. She had no idea what “object” Arondir told her to obtain was supposed to be.

[@victorike3102]

That’s what happens when you go into a show looking for things to complain about

[@christianrapper]

That doesn’t excuse Arandir from immediately checking to make sure that the key was retrieved or knowing the difference between the feel of a a wooden axe and a broken metal sword.

[@victorike3102]

@@christianrapper lol even if he checked it wouldn’t have made any difference. Waldrick was already gone and Adar distracted them so stop looking for something to complain about

[@christianrapper]

@@victorike3102 Adar was there for awhile. When Galadriel showed up he was already imprisoned and questioned. Arandir should have immediately checked to see if they had the key. Once he saw that they didn’t Arandir could have possibly intercepted the traitor. There is no excuse for that scene. It was just moronic and made absolutely no sense.

[@victorike3102]

@@christianrapper lol just hear yourself lol 😂

[@_furiousgamer_7327]

Waldreg got the sword right before the Numenorians arrived. When Adar told him that he has a mission for him. And they made a decoy so that Waldreg can go to the Watch tower and activate the whole thing which led to the eruption of Orodruin and the creation of Mordor

[@AnotherScribbler]

Yeah, and Galadriel didn’t even really know what it was just that the soldier said he couldn’t get away with it (and then she passed it on to him).

[@_furiousgamer_7327]

@@AnotherScribbler yeah

[@olofmillberg726]

Yeah it wasn't vague at all. I'm surprised they both missed it.

[@hsenith351]

That's basically par for the course for this channel. Honestly the only decent reactions that they've done were the Sandman ones.

[@mygetawayart]

@@olofmillberg726 it's what happens when you're more focused in looking for things to criticize

[@maviebaby]

Here's my opinion on holding the bridge and the watch tower. Being under siege in the watchtower is unsurvivable. The townsfolk are low on weapons, resources and food. They don't know they have help coming, so - from thier perspective - the watch tower is a guaranteed slow death. Using the watchtower as a weapon to thin out the enemy and possibly kill their commander gives them a small chance to beat the Orcs a their 2nd, albeit less defensible, position. I think it's a sound tactic born out of desperation.

[@cyrussmith4744]

Idk, it's just weird to me that they would use a tavern as a defense? I mean, between a tavern and a tower, I'd choose the tower, or at least I'd try to distract the orcs in the town while other people flee instead of putting them all in an old building

[@suddenimpulse030]

@@cyrussmith4744 This show has mediocre writing at best. The inconsistencies and logic problems are only going to continue because its a symptom of that problem.

[@a_kazakis]

@@cyrussmith4744 You forget that the watch tower falling killed a large part of the orcs. So it's not choosing between the watch tower and the tavern, it's between the watch tower against all the orcs, or the tavern against a small portion of them. Fleeing could be an option, but I guess since they have elderly and children, the orcs would catch up pretty fast.

[@mygetawayart]

@@cyrussmith4744 between a tower you can't escape from and a tavern you can't hold, you're stuck between a rock and a hard place...literally.

[@mygetawayart]

@@suddenimpulse030 if you hate this show so much why do you go to the length of watching reaction videos for it and commenting profusely under them?

[@hollywoodguy70]

The power of nitpickiness is so strong it clouds to the point of being oblivious.

[@CULeeisMe]

I think Galadriel's story is about getting over centuries old pride and becoming worthy of her return to Valinor. Adar's statement about her being changed by darkness is the clue for me.

[@suddenimpulse030]

Which is fine, but the actress needs to sell it better, or be given better direction by the Director.

[@_furiousgamer_7327]

The Numenorians knew to go to the Watch tower of Ostirith in ep5. Halbrand told Miriel that he assumes that the orcs will go there.

[@Mr.NoBuddy1990]

What I got from Galadriel’s conversation with Adar was that there is a reason why The One Ring would choose her. “In place of a Dark Lord, you would have a queen!” That darkness in her, that she displayed, is why she had to test herself against it with Frodo. Adar even tells her to look into a mirror to see the darkness she’s after. I think seeing darkness in her like this and us watching her character progress to a level that she can resist The Ring later is amazing. Great reaction you guys!

[@mirceadacialorantbrescia4340]

elves are evil. i hate them except legolas

[@mc-rn8ro]

But the thing is, the show runners have said “forget the movies! This isn’t Movie Galadriel, we’re doing something new, it’s a different take on the character” so by that logic, her interaction with the Ring in the movies doesn’t count here. It’s not canon. In the span of a few minutes she tells Halibrand not to take revenge, threatens to torture the orcs with sunlight, tells Adar she’ll leave him alive, then tries to kill him. Her character is so inconsistent that it’s impossible to relate to her or understand her.

[@Mr.NoBuddy1990]

@@mc-rn8ro Galadriel testing herself against The Ring, doesn’t need Jackson’s Trilogy to be canon. It’s straight from the book. This show is loosely connecting to the LOTR book trilogy. Galadriel is written really well Imo.

[@Saphthings]

@@mc-rn8ro For some reason you think that Galadriel started in the movies... everything you mentioned are from the books.

[@mygetawayart]

I like that. Tolkien is all about parallels and symbolism. In the books, her story is driven by the ambition she has to get her own kingdom, and here, she is driven by revenge, both of which make her more driven and unrelenting. To me, it still makes sense even if the backstory was altered.

[@neonseas]

I think that the Science you were thinking of near the end with the volcano is Thermal Explosion. The suddenly superheated water would very literally explode into steam, bursting open the volcano. This isn't actually an infrequent cause of eruptions. Though IRL it is because some fault line activity exposed a magma chamber to the water table or some other source of water rather than this rather dramatic intentionality.

[@NerdyNightly]

Awesome! It's actually much cooler that it is based at least partly in real science, and not totally fabricated

[@benkelly2024]

@@NerdyNightly It's called a phreatic eruption. It's reasonably plausible that if you could trigger one like this, the shock from the initial, relatively small phreatic eruption could rupture an underlying plug over a high-pressure magma chamber to cause a much larger plinian eruption.

[@benkelly2024]

@@Emissary_of_Revolution You could well be right - been a while since I looked at this (also not a volcanologist). My understanding is that a phreatomagmatic eruption is a subtype of phreatic eruption, but more than willing to accept the terms may be exclusive.

[@hoon_sol]

@@Emissary_of_Revolution: The difference between a non-magmatic phreatic eruption and a phreatomagmatic eruption has to do with the type of ejecta produced; it is the latter only if magma is part of the eruption. In both cases the eruption itself is produced by the interaction between water and magma. Essentially a phreatomagmatic eruption is simply a subtype of phreatic eruption where magma is part of the ejecta. By the looks of it, it seems like a pretty clear-cut case of a phreatomagmatic eruption.

[@quarksbar3265]

Whatever type of eruption it was, it's safe to say that the creation of mount doom was one of the coolest things I've seen on television in a while.

[@BoboftheOldeWays]

So many people get it wrong about the writing of Galadriel on this show IMO. You are *SUPPOSED* to be frustrated by her. Because she is being set up for a colossal failure that will force her to confront how easy her obsession with vengeance made her to manipulate. She will probably get blamed for creating the new threat of Mordor and for luring the Numenoreans into a trap, all for her personal agenda. The final 2 episodes will break her, and both she and the audience will feel she had it coming.

[@suddenimpulse030]

If so many people get it wrong, is that a failure of the watchers or the writers?

[@BoboftheOldeWays]

@@suddenimpulse030 IMO, mostly the watchers. Online culture has become dominated by nit-picking and click-bait. It’s trained us all to assume that if we respond negatively to a character, it means there’s something wrong with the writing, rather than considering that maybe it’s what the writers intended all along. And that’s before we even start talking about “fan” channels who have a financial incentive to be angry about every new thing or every change made in an adaptation of something. Those types have basically taken over the algorithm. I could be wrong about the writers here, of course. But I don’t think I am, because once I decided that’s what I think they’re doing, I started liking this show a lot more. And many of the issues I had suddenly made sense. This episode only confirmed it further for me.

[@bensenzo]

@@suddenimpulse030 obviously the watchers 🙄

[@pigskinpoetry]

Thank you! She's clearly being written this way, and everyone keeps ignoring it.

[@BoboftheOldeWays]

@@pigskinpoetry Yes, they’re ignoring that she’s being written this way *on purpose.* The writers *want* us to be at least a little bit annoyed with her.

[@malifex9922]

Galadriel's magic is primarily derived from her use of Nenya, the Ring of Adamant, which hasn't even been crafted yet. It allows her to halt the march of time in regard to aging and decay, which is why her forest is untouched by the shadow that claimed Mirkwood and the nightmares of Moria and Dol Goldur to the west and east. Her gift is in preservation and healing. There are definitely other enchantments that higher stationed elves have performed, such as the water stallions during the early Fellowship, and we also see her boost her horse's prowess for a short time in this episode. However, she can't just raise her arms and create a village wide shield or something. In the Lord of the Rings itself, she also demonstrates an ability to glamour herself into a more powerful visage as well as to project her voice beyond normal speech. She also can sense misgivings, cast her thoughts into the minds of others, and receive their thoughts as well. However, much of this is gained AFTER the ring, and may well also be a product of it.

[@adamplatt3174]

Sorry but Galadriel's powers aren't derived from her ring. She was always hesitant to use the power of her ring as she didn't trust Annatar (Sauron).

[@alighalibb]

You guys should watch carefully. Every question you have asked is literally answered in the show. Like how the Númenoreans came to this village directly? Because Galadriel knows where the village is because she knows where the elves (her kin) were stationed in the Southlands. How did waldreg gets the sword? Just moments before the Númenoreans arrive Adar says to waldreg “I have a task for you” Really guys? WATCH CAREFULLY. HOW DID THE SOUTHLANDERS LEAVE THE ELVEN TOWER? They left at day time after putting together their strategy how to kill the orcs inside this tower. Remember when Bronwyn said in episode 5 that when they attack this tower will fall. I don't think you understand High Fantasy shows.

[@StrandSteifen]

THIS! all of it. i'm surely annoyed by those reaction channels, because most what they do is to "react" over exaggerated and don't pay attention to what is really shown...

[@alighalibb]

@@StrandSteifen RIGHT?? I'm watching their reactions from episode 1 and they always are confused about things that are literally and Visually answered in the show & They are hating this show from episode 1 because most of people in today's world wants battle and action. This is LOTR it needs time to build up. We have 50 hours story in front of us with basically no budget limit. There's no need to rush anything. & They compare this show with other shows this is bad compared to them if you don't love this show then why are you reacting to it?

[@MrGabzki]

Because instead of waiting for things to unfold, they love to over analyze and exaggerate their reaction that they're missing minor details. They keep asking questions and getting "confused" when every little thing is already explained.

[@suddenimpulse030]

Maybe the writing should just be....idk better?

[@StrandSteifen]

@@suddenimpulse030 why? everyone in the comments seem to understand and were able to follow.

[@frankynovotny2030]

I'm not sure why so many are saying why Galadriel just stands there at the end instead of running. Exactly run where? You can't outrun even on horse that kind of event! She's basically succumbing to the fact that they just lost the Southlands.

[@PensandoRPG]

Just about the initial scene. It takes hours of walk from the tower to the village. The elves had that tower ready to fall and a escape route in case the humans decided to attack. Remember. The elves thought the humans from that region were bad. So they had to have a escape route from the tower. The villagers left way before the orcs, probably with sunlight still on. And Arondir waited behind to trigger the trap. That is why the orcs only attack in the next night. The tower and the village are a little far away.

[@havtor007]

But why destory the tower when you could destory the bridge?

[@havtor007]

@Daniel Chávez Do you understand how stupid that is? If you have the ability to destroy the tower you have the ability to destroy the bridge. Why make a tower the thing you destroy instead of the only road in to the place? And yes it was explained but it is a very stupid explanation.

[@Makhiel]

Galadriel has magic, but not the "summon a shield of pure light over the village" kind of magic, Tolkien doesn't do that. Ostirith is southwest of Mount Doom, the Black gate will be built far north of it. The Númenoreans probably took a pass through the mountains where Minas Morgul will be built. And Minas Morgul was originally Minas Ithil, built by Isildur, which is why in this episode he says he "likes the mountains". As for the Orcs, if they have been created from the Elves then they cannot be evil incarnate. Tolkien kinda struggled his whole life with the "philosophical" implications of the origin of the Orcs and never got to a satisfying conlusion, that's what the scene was about.

[@Mustang318]

The queen could see that Isildur was visibly unsettled, itching to ride out and help his dad and the Queen gave permission.

[@JonInCanada1]

Actually, the visuals regarding the pyroclastic cloud is not 'a bit much', in fact it's pretty spot on. They can spread and move up to 700Kph (450Mph) and contain burning ash, poisonous gases and debris. That's why Pompeii has so many "ash people" buried, Vesuvius released a pyroclastic flow (cloud) 100k times more powerful than the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima and moved incredibly fast. So again, not at all 'a bit much'. All that said, what's more amazing, but true, is that people have been known to survive them.

[@archonnova]

Personnaly, the scene between Galadriel and Adar wasn’t weird for me. Actually it’s exactly how i viewed her before the events of LOTR. For me it was just a proof that she is a Noldor. I mean, she too choosed to follow Feanor in this madness that was the First Age. Elves are hypocrites, acting superior to everyone when sometimes they are the worst of all. And for the scene with Galadriel and Halbran, if it is indeed a romantic look i just wish one thing, that Halbran end up being Sauron. Because i want to see her face when she discovers that she almost dated her brother’s killer XD. Oh and yes it was Mount Doom. I just think the waterfall activated Orodruin’s magic. I really doubt water could make a mountain exploded. ( well apparently yes.)

[@__Oku__]

Water actually can make a volcano erupt. The pressure created by the instantly evaporating steam is exactly how the steam engine works. It's also similar to deep frying frozen food. Have you ever put water in super hot oil?... Yeah... But this can also happen to volcanos in nature.

[@archonnova]

@@__Oku__ Well good to know. Thank

[@suddenimpulse030]

Halbrand is the king of the white mountains not Sauron.

[@netflixandchinchilla]

I live in Hawaii where there is still an active volcano, and yes, when magma reaches the waters it produces super-cooling which can have some explosive effects. This is obviously exaggerated, but it is based on science.

[@redbarchetta8782]

Exactly, while they never mentioned it the 'Kin's Slaying' was a huge reason she never went back to Valinor to begin with.

[@shingen012]

For Waldreg getting the sword, right after it was given to Adar, he went outside and told Waldreg that he had a task for him, presumably that is when they switched them out. Second, the symbol that Galadriel had been chasing most of the season was revealed to be a map representation of the Southlands, so I'm guessing that as soon as the Numenorean army made landfall, they likely bee-lined it right for there (though how they were able to determine that they should go to that village specifically is another issue).

[@NerdyNightly]

All I needed was a shot of them riding towards the tower, and then seeing smoke in the distance and turning towards the village. Just that and it would have been tighter for me

[@shingen012]

@@NerdyNightly yeah, Just a shot of someone going "Is that smoke over there?" Would have been something.

[@hobbybrauer]

@@NerdyNightly Come on, sometimes you have to use your imagination and fill in the gaps. It is really not that difficult ;-).

[@jud555]

@@NerdyNightly that would be dumb and a waste of time, you know that Galadriel can see for miles and miles or did you guys miss that too?

[@pigskinpoetry]

Halbrand literally told them to go to the tower in the last episode.

[@__Oku__]

Halbrand was on a boat with people from multiple villages and must've figured out the trajectory of the Orcs that way. Ostirith (the tower) was the last place the Orcs could go to because it's in the corner of mountain ranges and the furthest from Mount doom. ... And it's also the only fortress in the area...

[@jud555]

Yeah, Miriel and Halbrand talk about it in pervious episodes, they did mention Ostirith where the orcs will most likely attack. They didn't "magically got there" they knew exactly where they were going.. I like how they keep saying things don't make sense when they clearly don't pay attention to what's happening in the show. 😂

[@sebastian8237]

@@jud555 Yeah, it's really something ... 'this show is so dumb and confusing' ... while the hints were pretty explicitely shown and discussed in a lot of the cases.

[@__Oku__]

The Númanorians took two days to get to the Southlands from the shore of middle earth (one day through the river and another day riding on horseback). And if you study the map they showed on the boat and in last episode, we can estimate that it took the Númanorians about two weeks to get to middle earth from Númanor. I hope you guys figured out that there are different timelines. Let's remember that Galadriel never saw the comet and she was sent to Valinor before the comet arrived.

[@markcruz359]

there are different timelines?

[@__Oku__]

@@markcruz359 Yes. The Southlands plot unfolds in about a week. Galadriel was in Numenor for 13 days before being at sea for about two weeks. Elrond's storyline takes several months. We saw that the building of the forge already made a lot progress. Gil Galad saw the comet after he sent Galadriel to Valinor. Galadriel's storyline never coincided with the comet's arrival. Galadriel was in the past (now she's in the president with the Southlanders). Elrond is months into the future. And Arondir has been in the present.

[@kaizen5023]

It is not at all clear in the show about different timelines. This is just bad storytelling.

[@suddenimpulse030]

@@__Oku__ They needed to make this more clear. This is bad writing in a nutshell.

[@suddenimpulse030]

@Daniel Chávez What are you talking about? They made things very clear in GoT season 1. No one was confused, most people I've seen online have no idea about this in RoP.

[@monstersbetweenthelines6172]

To me, the scene between Galadriel and Halbrand wasn't romantic nor intended to be romantic. These are both characters carrying the unresolved scars of past traumas who haven't found closure yet and feel isolated in their pain. When they were in battle together, they didn't achieve closure with their own respective traumas but at least felt united with another person towards a common cause that makes them feel marginally better. There's a sense of peace (even if temporary) that comes with that. I thought in that scene Halbrand was acknowledging that he felt less alone because of their camaraderie in battle and thus on the path of healing (again, not HEALED but getting better) and Galadriel echoed the same sentiment back. ... maybe I'm wrong though. I definitely hope the scene wasn't supposed to be interpreted as romantic declaration 😬

[@andrewichigo]

Regarding how that guy got the (key)blade: coming out of the house after they feel the rumbling of horses coming, Adar tells him he has a task for him. Afterwards, Galadriel and Halbrand follow him cause he's the leader of the orcs, but they would have no idea about the blade and thus they wouldn't know that there's anything wrong with it. Also, Elves do have a pretty searing hatred for orcs in general, so Galadriel, already all consumed by revenge, threatening genocide.... feels natural for elves if you ask me. Regarding the volcano: water gets instantly vaporized by the heat, which releases oxygen, which causes the heat from the magma to explode (kinda like pouring water on an oil fire). And hey, now we have the creation of Mount Doom and Mordor. IMO, Halbrand is going to become the King of the Dead which betrayed Elendil and Isildur and Aragorn later summons to fight.

[@marcoantonioaguirrehernand4375]

oxygen and hydrogen*

[@hoon_sol]

I mean, the last time they saw the orcs they were possibly a few days away, so they had some time to get out and hide. When Theo and his friend went to the village for food it took them much less than a day to get there, so to me there wasn't anything particularly strange about it.

[@lacki7548]

Guys I love you and I’m here for every book club. But I think some of the fault you’re giving the show is actually on you. Quite many things you complain of has been shown. And as you pick so hard on the show I’d wish you look at your own show a bit too as it’s getting unfairly negative at times. All love ❤

[@bod1035]

the nitpicking is fucking tedious

[@tomascarvalho7514]

30:50 before the cavalry arrived, Adar spoke to Waldred telling he had smth for him to do. In the midst of the confusion Waldred somehow was able to evade the Numenorian troops and reach all the way to the tower.

[@JonInCanada1]

Exactly, paying attention instead of commenting through dialogue helps.

[@markwood6056]

He wouldn't have to evade anyone. The troops would naturally thank he is one of the people they are here to save. If he wasn't under orc attack they would completely ignore him. Adar picked the absolute perfect delivery method. One that would not be viewed as a threat by the humans attacking them.

[@gazlator]

That makes sound sense! But then, why didn't they show Waldred doing that, at least in the briefest glimpse? It would filled the "hole" of the plot so simply.

[@bensenzo]

@@gazlator because the show or movie doesn't always have to explain everything. Sometimes people need to use their brains

[@saadlachhab3893]

Yeah but then again, did Adar really trust him to the extent of giving him their most important weapon, that could decide their future, a Man he just met a few days ago

[@wisemoon40]

Sauron is a Maiar, his physical form can be destroyed without Sauron being destroyed. The only reason that Sauron was destroyed in TLOTR is because he had put so much of his spirit into the Ring, so destroying the Ring allowed them to destroy Sauron completely. Adar saying he killed Sauron doesn’t break Canon because Sauron’s physical form was defeated and destroyed like three different times in the Second Age.

[@brandonjenkins723]

“Why didn’t they check it?!” BECAUSE CHARACTERS MAKE MISTAKES AND IF THEY DIDNT WE WOULD NOT HAVE A STORY

[@suddenimpulse030]

Of course characters make mistakes, but this show has bad writing. Stop making excuses for it.

[@Saphthings]

@@suddenimpulse030no

[@alwaysbam]

😂🤣. I love that we get the backstory on Galadriel. Remembe in the movies she was afraid of the one Ring. It's the darkest that she had in her heart we never knew about. Now we see where it came from. Good writing.

[@j-lee6480]

I saw the point made elsewhere that Galadriel is Noldor and they were pretty extreme as far as elves go. And in this watch through I was thinking that it kinda seems like the writers wanted to show that not all elves were stoic ponderers. So to do this they took the idea of the Oath of Feanor and the severity of the Noldor in the Kinslayingsand the pursuit of the Silmarils and Morgoth, and they funneled it all into one character. Galadriel was maybe not the best choice... and I don't think it's super successful. That said... I 100% dug her scene with Adar. Like they wanted to make her hardcore, and well they did that.

[@alphadiggity1]

When Frodo offered her the one ring Galadriel damn near turned into the Green Goblin, and then had the nerve to brag about passing the test...barely. That elf had some darkness in her for sure.

[@fabioalmeida199]

About the blade, when Adar gets it there's a small scene before the Numenorians came where Adar tells Walberg there's something he wants him to do... We never saw what but I believe that Adar gives the sword to Walberg and switch it with the hatchet. That's how Walberg has it at the end of the episode

[@NerdyNightly]

I'm down for that, but I am so lost on how Galadriel never looks to see what it is. You'd think Arondir would have been like "you've gotta see this"

[@fabioalmeida199]

@@NerdyNightly Yeah that also doesn't go right with me, you'd think that ahah It was only for plot purposes. Plot holes just because...

[@fai-pe7oq]

@@NerdyNightly the way I saw it, they believed their enemy defeated so they took a breather. Galadriel herself would have no clue what the item is and her mind, and everyone else’s, was trained on Adar. They captured the “big bad” and they (myself included) thought the immediate threat was passed. And tbh by the time Galadriel gives the fake sword to Arondir, Waldreg would’ve already been at the spot sticking the sword in so nothing they could do at that point anyway

[@StrandSteifen]

@@NerdyNightly well, galadriel was after adar, why would she care much about the package? there was a village full of wounded and dying people and only three of them knew what was actually wrapped in it. why would they assume that it wasn't in it anymore?

[@AlexGorlik]

Also adar kinda sold it when he was trying to grab it on the floor , making it look like its the real ome maybe they just belived his act if he was willing to gibe his life to grab it

[@Mustang318]

On the comparison of LOTR to GoT I just want to note that while there is strong line of good and evil, everyone is shown to be flawed and on a journey filled with temptations and mistakes. Take for example, Isildur - greatest lineage of all, descended from generations of Numenorean Kings and Elves, but still in a moment of triumph over Sauron, he falls to temptation. Whether this is shown effectively or not is another question, but there is no "All good" or "All evil" camp with no way to turn back. Even Sauron was given a chance to change after Morgoths defeat. 🙂

[@Phi1618033]

Even GRR Martin has said that LotR and GoT are completely different kinds of fantasy. LotR is high fantasy, with a clear distinction between good and evil, while GoT is low fantasy, meaning it's grounded more in reality, with much more gray between characters. Martin said he did that intentionally.

[@ryanhollis7517]

Remember when they were on the ship and Galadriel was having a conversation about seeing the land ? The quote was “it was visible to me an hour ago”. The point of this conversation was for us to know she can see really really far therefore it is easy to assume she could see the town under attack and was telling them where to go.

[@AlexRybitski]

Numenor was making for the Watchtower of Ostirith, they probably saw the signs of battle from a distance and just went straight into a fight.

[@NerdyNightly]

Then just show us that? That simple shot of them changing direction towards the battle would have done SO much

[@Vijay007-]

@@NerdyNightly Excatly my thoughts! I just feel like this series is really slow but doesnt show us almost anything important or story changing. Its like we have to figure everything out for ourselves and it isnt fun. At least for me.

[@__Oku__]

@@NerdyNightly Well, they talked about going towards the tower last episode. There is a mountain range that corners the tower, making that the obvious last stop for the Orcs.

[@suddenimpulse030]

@Daniel Chávez They talked about going to the tower.

[@markwood6056]

@@NerdyNightly You are shown it, just not in the. way you were expecting. When they talk about where they going, we also have a map, and we see the Queen trace the route. From ocean, to bay, to river to tower to town below the mountain. That is specifically showing us the route and final destination of her group. It's more subtile storytelling, and I am all for that. There are shows that people can just turn on an just watch and everything is very clear about what's going on so that its almost just background watching. There are other programs that are far, far more subtile ( a great example of this is The Expanse, which uses small details a lot in its storytelling). Shows that expect you to pay real attention (and there is nothing wrong with either type of shows both serve specific purpose). Showing small details to indicate story points is another part of this show that is absolutely true to Tolkien's writing.

[@antoniohollandjr4294]

Let her be flawed, god! Let her grow. No one is perfect.

[@suddenimpulse030]

It has to make sense within the characters history.

[@elck3]

Clearly Galadriel is perfect. In every way in this show.

[@brandontaylor3252]

I definitely don't think we are supposed to like Galadriel yet. Even her own soldiers their swords down and walked away. I assume her arc will be the story of becoming the Galadriel we know and like. I think the actress is killing the role, despite the questionable writing at times.

[@BoboftheOldeWays]

I’ve been saying this, too! They are setting her up to fail in the Southlands big time, and making it feel like her fault. If Halbrand is Sauron or an agent of Sauron, she’ll have to face that her anger made her so easy to manipulate that she played right into his hands. Sometimes, we’re not supposed to like a main character.

[@netflixandchinchilla]

I don't hate her at all. I'd even venture to say she's my favorite character because I see the potential for growth whereas many of the other characters feel a bit 1-sided. She is driven yes, but it's not like she's a bitch as long as people don't stand in her way or try to prevent her from achieving her goals.

[@saadlachhab3893]

@@BoboftheOldeWays yeah we very much know that’s the path we are heading too, and it makes it even worse

[@BoboftheOldeWays]

@@saadlachhab3893 Why?

[@saadlachhab3893]

@@BoboftheOldeWays she’s an elf, why does she seem so dark-hearted? The elves are supposed to be ethereal, pure, they in a way symbolize light. She’s even more evil than Adar rn

[@Qumi]

Sauron is an immortal spirit. Even if Adar killed him, he'll regain his form later. He lost this ability after forging the rings of power as he poured a lot of his power into the ring (and after Eru destroyed his mortal form at the fall of numenor). He only had real power when he held the ring, but without it - he couldn't do as much. When the ring is destroyed, he is forced through the doors of night, where morgoth is locked. He still technically is alive in his spirit form, but can't enter the world. I personally think the stranger could be a blue wizard - as they arrived earlier to middle earth than other istari.

[@carlosmiguel4756]

@0:06 ahh the irony hahahaha BUT you're in for a surprise! This episode was the best ever and i got Lord of the Rings vibes ;) @30:50 c'mon you guys not paying attention. I think people are starting to watch this with a closed mind already and thinking it's gonna be bad and that way, start to put everything in doubt. Adar said "i got something i need you to do" (take that sword and activate all this). Battle happened and eventually that guy with the sword escaped early on. He's human remember so why would they attack him? Galadriel, Halbrand and the others just arrived, they don't have super powers to see and do everything. It's battle, confusion ensues and that guy escaped and probably other orcs escaped too. In battles not every enemy is killed. What i'm saying is that it's perfectly plausible what happened.

[@gideonnartey1262]

facts they just wanna hate by force

[@LuxLoser]

Tolkien actually wrote that the Orcs might be made with evil, but that doesn’t mean they can’t become good in theory. He wrote that Orcs could one day become a part of the world, and since the world is inherently good, they too would become good as they become interconnected with other races. But this would require that Middle-Earth accept the Orcs and their origin, and work to enlighten them and reform their society. And they never will. Gondor’s canonical genocide of all orcs in the Fourth Age is a tragedy of how Middle-Earth cannot accept the Orcs but also how the Orcs, freed of Sauron, still refuse to change. But Tolkien did more write it as a “yeah, I guess” sort of response to the question of others.

[@nothefabio]

Orodruin was never an ordinary volcano. It is sorta alive in a way. Pouring water functions more like the awakening of a beast than a physical/chemical process. The ep's name - Udûn (Sindarin for "Hell") - is the name of the Morgoth's oldest fortress in the north. It is also the name of the valley at the Black Gates. The book "The Atlas of Middle Earth" (1992) sugests that Udûn was an ancient dike and also played a role in the formation/awakening of Mount Doom. I loved that the show goes that way.

[@benkelly2024]

Phreatic eruptions are a thing. Not completely implausible to use one to rupture an underlying vent plug over a high pressure magma chamber to trigger a plinian eruption.

[@mjdaniel8710]

I really like the touch with planting the seeds, Adar and Arondir following the tradition of planting them, even using the same words

[@similarrose5811]

The Tower - there’s likely a second exit. They left the tower because they were going to bring it down. Also, if they got stuck in there Adar could just starve them out. Isildur - she looked at him for quite a while. I think she knew he wanted to go help his father and friends. Sword - Adar gives it to the old man just before Numenor arrive and that’s why he takes his horse in the opposite direction, to waste time. Mt Doom - the heat cloud is likely ‘cold fire’ but yeah there should still be some asphyxiation going it on, but hey. The Village - was in the way to the Tower, which was where the Numenoreans were headed via info from Halbrand.

[@carolyncollins5367]

The man who plunged and turned the key into the rock got the key when Adar (not sure how to spell that) ask him to do something for him right before the Numenorians arrived in the village....... I think maybe, perhaps, this might wake Galadriel up to what she has turned into, and maybe, just maybe, this entire disastrous venture will be her turning point - one is not born wise; wisdom is acquired over time through myriad life experiences - and as an elf's lifespan goes, Galadriel is still young and reckless. Here she is somewhere between 1200 - 2200 years old (basically a young adult as humans go) ... according to Tolkien Lore, by the time we meet her in the Fellowship of the Rings, she is 7,188 +/- years old. So she still has a lot of maturing and growing to do.

[@grayowl7581]

“Waldreg I have a task for you.” Adar said that right after the Numenorians arrived. Waldreg left with it at the start of the battle and Adar took off with the hatchet. Galadriel didn’t know what it was at all and she only handed it to Arrondir moments before Theo opened it.

[@ianm8684]

I feel like showing Galadriel threatening Adar it trying to prove that all elves can be corrupted by hate. As for the timeline issues I think we are just seeing a convergence of everything, the Numenoreans had a few days of travel once reaching middle earth and this just perfectly lined up. Which if that's the case, Isildur and "Kevin" blowing up the boats technically created the events that would create Mordor. If they had left a day earlier the Numenoreans would have ridden in on the orcs preparing to siege, the sword probably would never had made it into Waldreg's hands.

[@monicaalexandru9638]

I think when Halbrand asks Adar “remember me?” it is because Adar killed him (or thought he did), but now doesn’t recognize him, because he has assumed a new appearance.

[@hoon_sol]

Doubt it. I think Waldreg's actions might be what unlocks more of Sauron's power and presence.

[@keithhoward5928]

@@hoon_sol That's what I think also and I think he is one of the kings of men that received a ring.

[@hoon_sol]

@@keithhoward5928: Sounds more plausible. Some have speculated that he's the Witch-king himself.

[@monicaalexandru9638]

@@hoon_sol Yeah, that makes sense too.

[@AlexGordonMusic]

“Where are we?” It’s suggested that halbrand brought galadriel and the numenorians here because it was his last known location of Sauron’s orcs “How did he get that?” Adar gave it to him just before the numenorians arrived… Adar ran off as a diversion while waldreg opens the dam. Yes, that’s how volcanos work. Quick changes in pressure and temperature can trigger eruptions. And the timelines between numenor and the southlands are confusing. Makes most sense if you consider them edited together to coincide with each other, when n actually they would’ve been much more spread out temporally.

[@nadeeml9276]

I doubt this comment/essay will reach Nerdy or Clarus but Ill cover my bases. It is assumed they found another way off the keep/citadel. Adar went up there with all the orcs, but when he went inside the actual keep, he went with only an advance guard, or a vanguard, which is still a significant amount (but not everyone). One can't expect every single orc to go inside the keep. While I agree, the keep was 'defensible' there was, very, VERY, little food as we remember, and they couldn't last another several days. Also, as far as the orcs are concerned, theyre not facing a trained force of fighters/warriors/soldiers. To them, these are just people from villages, or refugees who'll die the moment the fighting starts. Which, incidentally, is why the orcs don't bother with any kind of intelligent strategy. They just kinda walk in. Regarding the number of the orcs changing. The show can't cover every single second of their preparation - one has to assume. Yes, we see hundreds marching from the tower to the village - but then, only about 150ish in the initial fighting (we later find out that this was a mixture of orcs and traitor villagers). You have to put it together yourself that the orcs split up and the main/major force is lying in wait somewhere. Also, Im very surprised, nay, shocked, that you guys dont remember the moment when Adar tells Waldreg "I have a task for you", we understand, after the fact, it is, evidently, when Adar gave him the hilt, for all the nit-picking, how can you guys miss that? When that much water is DUMPED into an almost endless pool of magma, the water FLASH-vaporizes and creates an incredible amount of instant PRESSURE, immediately disrupting any balance that was there before it. It explodes and that imbalance in pressure vs air pressure is compounded and causes the once dormant magma to erupt and there's almost nothing that can stop it. Others have already stated why Galadriel is written as partially unlikeable. I mean I thought we all understood that she's rebellious and full of rage because of the death of her brother, but Ill let you read the comments that others have written about that. When you say "there are things that I liked, Ill be fair to those things" It comes off as if you didnt like the rest. I'm not sure if it's just me, but Im starting to get a little frustrated with the second by second, frame by frame, over-analysis of this show. You have to suspend your disbelief and understand that eventually things will be explained and/or fall into place. I understand pointing out glaring mistakes, but that's not what theyre doing. It just comes off as two LOTR snobs trying to make up reasons to criticize, for, I dont know why, instead of just appreciating it. The show wasnt specifically written for you two. You are not the showrunners, writers or producers. I want to see your 'reaction' to it, if I wanted to listen to a play by play breakdown and analysis, Id watch an expert do it. It's as if I, a Star Trek fan, would just criticize everything I didnt like about the new Stark Trek 2009 movie without trying to appreciate everything as a whole and the direction it was headed in.

[@NerdyNightly]

"It is assumed" is the whole problem with this show.

[@StrandSteifen]

@@NerdyNightly lame comeback for such a detailed and layered comment.

[@Apocalypso-gk2gj]

U deserved a better answer than that I agree with every single one of ur points keep up doing this :)

[@nadeeml9276]

@@Apocalypso-gk2gj kind of you, but I am satisfied that I expressed myself and it was read. I am very much enjoying the show and I wont let what anyone online say change that

[@nadeeml9276]

@@StrandSteifen appreciate the sentiment friend, but with hundreds of comments here, and doubtless the same on their Patreon, Im satisfied that it was read, and hopefully, understood

[@elck3]

Isildor: you’ve seen land for over an hour? Galadriel: yes Isildor: What do your elf eyes see? Galadriel: They’re taking the hobbits to Isengard! The hobbits The hobbits The hobbits The hobbits The hobbits. They’re taking the hobbits to Isengard!

[@kxbrewsky]

I think they are, pretty rightfully, portraying Galadriel as a flawed character at this point. Even in the LOTR she is, in a way, arrogant, don't forget the future she shows Frodo when he offers her the ring, "Instead of a dark lord, you would have a queen." She already dreams of ruling over Middle Earth and her turning the ring down is so important because it would give her the power she needs to fulfill her dream, but it's not the ring that makes her crave power, she is already convinced she would be the best leader for all Middle Earth. And she is corruptable, that's why she had to pass the test. I think in this episode she didn't check the blade because she doesn't care, she doesn't know what it is and is so single mindedly focused on finding Sauron that she doesn't think that whatever it is is more important than getting answers to her questions. And I don't think Arandir looked at it because he knows it's evil, he had no reason to think it wasn't the same object he wrapped up earlier, and he doesn't wanna touch it or look at it more than he has to, like how in LOTR everyone smart and noble avoids touching the ring. I also liked how when he was tring to break it earlier, he was at a forge and the fire was going, but he was touching it with bare hands. They didn't make it a focus, but it reminded me of how the ring always stayed cool to touch.

[@prudy67]

I think the people were out of the Tower already when the orcs showed up. So they didn't have to sneak past the orcs across the bridge. That was the plan. To get rid of as many orcs as they could at the tower, see that that worked, then go to the town.

[@NerdyNightly]

But the orcs are coming at them from the village they left the tower to go towards, so at some point off screen they snuck past them somehow.

[@prudy67]

@@NerdyNightly I have watched the beginning of 6 and the end of 5 several times and find nothing which shows they are in the village or not. So, it appears it comes down to the viewer to decide.

[@thethessaliah]

There's a misunderstanding Tolkien's characters are white/black. Yes, Morgoth is the literal DEVIL (fallen Vala/high ranked angel) that marred the world and MADE evil, he spread himself thin to the very foundations of everything. But those who oppose him aren't necessarily super good and pure, aside of his brother, the king of Valar, Manwe who can't understand evil for he's pure good. While I'm not sold with show Galadriel. She's a Noldo (also other species of elf but mostly identifies as her father's people). Now what she tried to pass as an heroic travel of "elves" (the noldor not the others who were in Valinor) to chase Morgoth, actually was... the first kinslaying. Teleri elves (her mother's people) refused to give noldor the ships to cross and well... they insisted, with their swords. First Age was very wild and had tragedies everywhere. Blind Guardian as a beautiful album based on the Silmarillion. Two of these songs: Curse of Feanor and Noldor more or less set the mood of the noldor's strength and hubris, cursed by Valar, exiled until Earendil's voyage, still proud if melancholic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqPYgZhmi5ejbbM kzbin.info/www/bejne/iam8kISbiquSh9U Feanor, by the way, creator of silmarils and palantirs, and other things. The greatest elf to ever live who named Melkor as "Morgoth". He was Galadriel's uncle. He fought all 7 balrogs and their leader to a standstill before he succumbed to his wounds. He refused to be taken to Morgoth so he self-combusted himself from inside out, so great was his fire that he left no body as he burned himself. Despite his terrible actions, without him, the noldor wouldn't have come to organize their battle vs Morgoth, so elves and the upcoming men in Middle Earth would have succumbed as Valar refused to fight him (they feared the world would break if there's a confrontation, and well, a continent was sank when they finally did so weren't wrong). Sadly Amazon couldn't get the rights of the Silmarillion.

[@brendanwanderer]

“Instead of a Dark Lord, you would have a queen, not dark but beautiful and terrible as the dawn! Tempestuous as the sea, and stronger than the foundations of the earth! All shall love me and despair!” Galadriel knows herself in the third age. This is how she knows herself.

[@thomasolson1154]

Cold water hitting molten rock in a closed container...water instantly vaporizes and the change in pressure could cause massive damage to the container. Using an active volcano and a river fed directly by mountain run off could do some serious local damage.

[@ivacho9428]

Guys, an advice, you must pay attention to what you're seeing

[@TheKmagz]

Y'all are in a strange place because you're creating plot holes when there really aren't that many lol. Sad because realizing, for example, that Adar did the switcheroo right before the Numenorians showed up is awesome. Episode was fantastic. Galadriel character arc is finally taking shape and progressing.

[@TheKmagz]

Pro-active relax: "Numenoreans" 👍

[@suddenimpulse030]

The episode was pretty good but there were still lots of inconsistencies and logic problems. The show has mediocre quality writing and it is creating a number of symptomatic issues.

[@GeraldJSmith]

If you listen closely, when Adar heard the rumbling of the approaching horses' hooves, the first thing he did was yell the evil innkeeper's name, "Waldreg!" I think the implication is that Adar tricked them by riding off with the fake after giving instructions to Waldreg to use the key to start the eruption. The *real* problem with the whole sequence is that no one checked the bundle after capturing him. Not Galadriel, not Halbrand, not Arondir. No one. You could argue that Arondir didn't have time to explain what Adar was supposedly carrying, but still. No one thought to check the bundle? This was definitely the best overall episode so far, but that was a pretty low bar to surmount. It's so weird how they handle some things so well, while missing some obvious details. Humorously enough, the high point of the episode was when Halbrand grabbed a spear and then couched it properly in his armpit. That was a nice touch showing that *someone* involved was paying attention to at least *some* of the little details.

[@nightcrawler5696]

That pyroclastic cloud would’ve killed every human, orc and wiped the village off the map. The water+lava made sense at least. That was cool. Made it look like a real fallback plan if Morgoth was defeated.

[@rafaeldoo9108]

Yeah, and probably most of them will be dead next episode. But the LOTR trilogy has a lot of scientific mistakes too about lava and volcano.

[@elck3]

@@rafaeldoo9108 no where near the cataclysmic event of a volcano falling on top of a character like Galadriel and surviving, yes?

[@rafaeldoo9108]

@@elck3 Actually, Frodo and Sam should have died in the end of the movie too. And they are hobbits.

[@elck3]

@@rafaeldoo9108 yes, but there’s an in-story explanation, the eagles rescue them. While that’s a pretty silly deus ex machina, it still means they don’t get literally be covered in lava ash etc. and survive. Judging from next weeks episode trailer, Galadriel just gets up seemingly covered in “Cheeto” dust. You can see in the final shot of 6 that there’s fire and lava within the huge dust cloud engulfing Galadriel. No way to explain this?

[@rafaeldoo9108]

@@elck3 Frodo and Sam shoud have died before the arriving of the eagles.

[@OhKaylala]

Normally like your reactions. But I think you are being a bit overly critical. Also I like dark and vengeful Galadrial I think it's set up fine.

[@hristoitchov]

The watch tower is Minas Morgul, it has two entries/exits, just like in LOTR - one from the west after climbing up the mountain (where Adar and the orcs come from) and the other on leading down the slope into Mordor (which is where the village is, close to Orodruin/Mt. Doom). And as for the key, as others said, it's obvious it was when he sent him on a mission just before the Numenorians rode into the village. They don't check the fake one after getting it from Adar, that's all. Galadriel had no idea what it was and played down its importance, I guess. As for Adar killing Sauron, it's more likely that he thinks he killed him, but Sauron was just badly injured and managed to recover, shapeshifting into someone else. It's doubtful that he somehow expected Adar to try and kill him.

[@jasonsypsa7074]

That scene with Galadriel and Halbrand was meant to be that the violence made them feel more like themselves which is concerning.

[@chrissy1329]

I really loved this episode and think its certainly a highlight they defo need to keep this director Charlotte Brändström she did an amazing job. I do think when this season is over as a whole long 8 hour epic it will string together much better even though ive fully enjoyed all episodes.

[@elck3]

It has much less dialogue and more action, this worked in their favor for this episode of the show.

[@erikrungemadsen2081]

"One can not satisfy thirst by drinking sea water" "Thank you mommy Siuan!" Galadriel went Genocidriel for a momment. Nerdy "There is a soldier somewere who can play the flute." Sorry Nerdy that is not always true, but there are always ten soldiers, willing to attempt playing any instrument around if there is beer.

[@shannonmichael4773]

During that battle when you questioned why there was less goblins and orcs then other scenes is because not all of them kept marching into the village. Some branched off into the trees to ambush them after they had discovered some of the orcs were actually humans they captured in disguise forced to fight for them. They shot some of them down with arrows at that point showing just how many more of them there actually were. They had a plan of there own to not use all of there own right off the bat at the start of the battle. Also the old man that betrayed the village people whatever his name is was the one who stole the sword away. He was asked to by Alder or whatever his name is, if you pay attention he says he has some special task for him to do which is to run away with the blade and go to the destination he went with it to activate the mechanism that triggered the start of the making of Mount Doom and Mordor.

[@piotrnowak8725]

I think the reason why they abandoned the keep is because they were not prepared for siege - they clearly stated before that they don't have enough good - do their best shot was to end it as quickly as possible and hope they give up eventually.

[@sarahsupasweet]

Adar gave him the sword (or key). When he left the keep he told him he had a task for him. Everyone assumed it was still there, wrapped. I thought that was a great twist!! Such a great episode. And Galadriel is definitely grey. I wouldn't say she's bad, but she's not perfect. Her character has a lot of growth yet to do up to the LOTR. I think it's great to see people confused whether they like her or not. Some people who do, and some people who don't. It really shows that she isn't perfect and makes her own mistakes. I don't think any race is purely good. Whereas there is true evil, and evil beings, the rest of the world is filled with people who have good and bad, just like humans.

[@daveemerson6549]

Seems to me that the writers are maybe leaning into the portion of Galadriel that would be "a queen as beautiful and terrible as the dawn". Not exactly what I would choose to pick out from her character, but whatever.

[@TheJunmengo]

If she herself saw that on her means it inside her and she matured of out it makes totally sense if you think as Galadriel as a Teenager basically when the show takes place but thats my opinion you can feel different of course

[@RokujyuuyonShou]

I love how they keep saying "the sea is always right" when Elendil's wife drowned

[@LuxLoser]

This is actually shockingly scientifically accurate with the volcano. Bombs and earthquakes are rarely what set off volcanoes, it’s rapid change in pressure, and a sudden deluge of water would actually be the best way to set off a volcanic eruption.

[@Phi1618033]

I've seen a lot of comments by people saying that the Numenoreans showed up too fast to the village. So it seems people can't make up their minds whether the show is going too slow or too fast. The way I see it, most modern viewers are victims of the modern Hollywood formula: make it fast; make it simple. So the younger generation has very little patience and very little tolerance for complexity.

[@NerdyNightly]

The problem isn't how fast they got there, but that they bee lined it to that village even though they have no reason to know that's where they should be headed. It's a convenience issue, not a speed issue.

[@Phi1618033]

​@@NerdyNightly Re-watch the episode and you'll see a lot of the things you missed that will answer your questions. For one, re-watch the scene where Miriel looks at the map that shows _exactly_ where the villages are that they're heading to. Who told her to go there? Halbrand, obviously. Also, re-watch the part where Adar tells Waldreg that he has a task for him. Clearly, that's the point where Adar switches out the hilt with the hatchet. We don't see it on the screen, obviously, because that would ruin the twist. Also, you guys keep missing the point that Galadriel is as arrogant and impatient as she is _because she's a very, very old Elf_ and very, very old Elves, like Galadriel and Gil-Galad are naturally supercilious and impatient towards those they think are less than them. That's straight out of Tolkien! Tolkien says that the Elves look down on the other races because they're so much older and wiser. It's absolutely true to character for her. Also, the reason Galadriel is so obsessed with finding and killing Sauron is a) the Noldor left Valinor, the abode of the gods, because they were obsessed with finding and killing Morgoth and his evil servants who attacked Valinor, and b) Sauron killed her brother, who she was clearly very attached to. You're missing all this important stuff, and it's undermining your possible appreciation of the show.

[@NerdyNightly]

@@Phi1618033 That map scene does not in any way clarify why they know where they are going. I'm sorry but Halbrand saying there are orcs in the Southlands is as specific as saying there are orcs in Texas. The show should have had at least a moment to show our Numenoreans realize that the battle was going down and moving to full charge, but instead it just cuts straight to them galloping full speed just because. Yes we as the audience know that there is a battle going down, but there is no reason for them to know until they get there. It's a beautiful shot, but it's pure convenience.

[@jrconway3]

It isn't about going to slow or going to fast. Its about being well-paced. This show has absolutely dreadful pacing. It starts off painfully slow with nothing happening. Here we have the Numenorians on ships not even having touched down at land yet, then all of a sudden they're arriving at the exact location where they need to be and two days certainly did not pass here. Hell, let's address the "2 days" as well. While they claim it would take 2 days to reach the Southlands, in reality it would easily be 1-2 weeks at best. But even if we say it would take 2 days, they don't know where they are going. Even one scene with them riding into the Southlands and seeing some Southlanders fleeing and saying "an orc army went that way!" would be enough, but that should be at the start of the episode with the Numenorian ship scenes in the PRIOR episode. The pacing is all out of whack.

[@Phi1618033]

@@jrconway3 I'll admit that you have successfully picked a nit. I hated when Peter Jackson brought Elves to Helms Deep (contrary to canon) and that's why I think the LotR trilogy is the worst adaption in the history of cinema. See, I can pick nits, too.

[@Perry_Wolf]

Many of the questions don't have answers, but I can answer your big one at 43:50 ...Just after Theo gives up the blade but before the Numenoreans get there Adar storms out of the tavern with the blade and says, "Waldreg, I have a task for you". Then off screen he somehow passed the blade to Waldreg and replaced it with the axe, (which would feel exactly like the blade in weight and feel). Waldreg then made his way back to the tower. This happens at timestamp 38;45 in the show. A couple other questions I _think_ I can answer: 1. Timeline: From what I can gather, the Numenoreans would have set sail at much the same time Arondir was freed from the orc trench. I believe it was two days sailing to get to Middle Earth, then when they see land Elendil says to Míriel it's two days up the river until they land, then another day of riding to get to where they're going. Five days. I think it's in line with when Arondir is set free, roughly. 2. How do the Numenoreans know where to go? Through Galadriel's epiphany of figuring out Sauron's mark is Mordor, or rather the Mountains of Shadow. At time stamp 13;00 in the show it shows Míriel looking at the map and she highlights the Tower of Ostirith and the nearby village, which is where our villagers are now. As it's the only access into the mountain range, later becoming Minus Morgul, it's likely Galadriel and the Queen's best guess as to where to start their search for orcs, etc.

[@johnnyskov79]

If you superheat a large body of water, it will literally turn thermonuclear and explode with insane force. So basically the water entering the lava, made the volcano erupt. Also right before the Numenorians attacked, he went outside with the sword and told the human he had a job for him, so that's obviously how he got the sword. If Halbrand is Sauron, then the attraction Galadriel felt, was probably Sauron's darkness, which shows how far she has to go, before she gets to where we find her in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

[@YearRoundHibernater]

I disagree, leaving the watchtower seems like a really good tactical decision to me, specifically leaving it during the day and heading away from the Orcs who can't follow you in the day because they can only follow you when the sun is down or whilst digging tunnels, leaves on the trees no snow on the ground you have more daylight hours then not, just leave. And maybe take the very important plot device, sorry I mean sword hilt, with you and ya maybe warm some more people you know Arondir's entire job and the job of his garrison to watch for threats rising in the Southlands then warn people about them. The lack of effort to make anything consistent is so frustrating, yet best episode yet and I only sort of enjoyed it if I forced myself too. And ignore anyone asking why your reacting to it if you don't enjoy it. You channel you do you, I'm not particularly enjoying it and I'm not only still watching it, I'm watching react channels watch it and I don't get an income from it either it isn't a job for me, we do weird things for nerddom. Enjoy your break downs, cheers.

[@Saphthings]

It's funny, Adar giving the key to the barkeep was so obvious that a lot of haters online complained that it was too obvious. And yet so many reactors and etc didn't notice it at all. It pretty much confirms that the whole "no one checked" thing isn't valid criticism. Because yeah, people make mistakes, sometimes huge mistakes. Galadriel and the numenorians didn't even know about it, so it was really on the elf archer to notice or look, and he apparently dropped the ball. And yep. everything about that was eruption is actually pretty scientific. And would actually happen a lot like that.

[@CimmerianAssassin]

They knew where to go in episode 5 to go to that portion in the southland and the sword was given during the battle. That's what adar said.

[@pwmiles56]

Os-Tirith is inside future-Mordor, it's on the on-screen map. Osgiliath is on the Anduin, a completely different place. The fleet sails up the Anduin and then up a smaller river called Poros on the "real" map. The army would have to cross over the Mountains of Shadow (Ephel Duath, here called Ephel Arnen) but it seems to be implied they sail over them. (My take is from clips. Anyway great reaction)

[@memonk100]

It is very strange to me that Sauron made a magic blood sword, in which it's sole purpose is to open a sluice gate. It would have been much cooler if it was the sword itself that made Mt Doom.

[@pdegan2814]

Easily the best episode so far. It feels like we're finally getting somewhere. I had a suspicion that these Southlanders actually lived in what would become Mordor, since they never really showed the location of their village clearly on a map. But I was not expecting to see Mordor revealed in this way(and yes, that's Mordor. The orcs were chanting "Udun", which is the valley in the northwest part of Mordor). It does fit a little with the clues Galadriel had been following with that symbol which turned out to be a representation of that part of the land. There's still some holes in the story with regard to how all of this got set up in the first place, and if it was Sauron who set it all up then why didn't he just trigger Orodruin's eruption directly instead of setting up this whole magical science project. This series still has its flaws, but I'm definitely more invested now. Oh, and Clarus' response to "what if they just cut to the Harfoots right now" was easily the best part of this reaction :)

[@Rockhound999]

Its Mt. Doom.. this is how southlands become to what we know in LotR. Mordor

[@fzwilling]

You guys just saw the birth of Mount Doom where Sauron's Fortress is gonna be located. Check a map of Middle Earth, Udun is the the in the Northwest of Mordor, where the gates of Morannon are ( last battle in the Return of the King ). The range is like a near perfect circle there and might be an old shield volcano ( the Black Gates are gonna be in the North near the Dagorlad, while the fortress manned by the elven garrison must be in the southern part ) It must have been flodded at one point ( by Sauron after the fall of Morgoth ? ) since the Mordor Mountain Range didn't exist beforehand and was a result of the "plate tectonic shift" brought for by the Valar to create Numenor and when the elven lands of Beleriand sunk. The pyroclastic eruption created by lava combined with the water would be enough to start a dormant volcano. The energy would be several megatonnes of TNT, so atomic bomb level explosion. I think Adar knew some of the plans from Sauron and wanted to create a land where orcs could life without fearing the sunlight, by creating a supervolcano that throws so much ash in the air that the sunlight is gonna be blocked forever.

[@GAMBIT2895]

So the thing about elves being the good moral upright, I think since there are depicted in the movies specially as grand and removed from the main conflicts makes it so most people really dont fathom just how much hatred and disgust they have for Orcs, like Galadriels dialogue about wiping them out feels like a sentiment any elf ,but specially one that was around Feanor when he made his oath, would have. I dont think we are supposed to agree or think Galadriel is right, the show has been hinting at how she is consumed by this quest of revenge, and the only moments of wisdom from her we have is when she is not being kept from her objectve, in the ship she feels more like the lady of light for that scene, because she is not actively figthing to get to war, she knows that it awaits.

[@CULeeisMe]

I've thought about the bridge thing a lot (probably too much). Based on scenes in previous episodes, all those people would really just need to cross the bridge and get off the road. When all the uruks are coming with the torches, it looks like there's no other way in or out other than the road. It was bothering me, so I had to look. Really, where they're standing in the valley maps up perfectly. Hope that helps! Love your reactions!

[@csd8204]

I don't watch things with your level of criticality. If i did, I'd never enjoy anything. Threats are a part of interrogation. You both invest a lot of your interpretation of Tolkien into your opinions. I also read the books but understand getting one perspective then being presented with an opposing one without choosing one over the other. Galadriel heard what Sauron did from her people and hearing it from the other gave a different perspective from a first hand observer from the inside. No one sees themselves as the bad guys or evil, just their opponents. Who would they believe if they knew what it was?

[@oortclouddomicile]

@@csd8204 these people are probably hate watching the show, so they are looking for stuff to criticise. But it's funny how, in their attempt to nitpick the flaws, they actually miss out on very clear plot details and the general spirit of the show.

[@csd8204]

@@oortclouddomicile There does seem to be a measure of that from many. What's ironic, is many say things aren't representative of Tolkien but what they really mean is they aren't in keeping with Peter Jackson's vision of Tolkien. All these fights and detailed battles in his films? You won't find that anywhere in Tolkien's work.

[@bryanevans1019]

When Adar walks out of the tavern and sees the Numenoreans, we can here him telling the old guy "I have a job for you" and gives him the Key/Sword. It's still dumb to never check to see what's wrapped up. Is there a back gate to the Castle?

[@tysonas1]

They fled under cover of night while the Orcs were still in the valley, remember the scene last episode it could be hours or days for the attack, and the Orcs were still in the valley at that point. It would take quite a while for Arondil to make all the traps, furtjermore they had no food, but that cart brought back

[@jazzyoe24]

You are assuming the tower had only one entrance and exit... Consider helms deep with it's passage at the back going deep into the mountain. There is obviously a mountain pass to bring the people back down into the valley. All it takes is a bit of imagination to explain some of the points which don't get explanations. Similarly, when they began their mountain pursuit, the orcs probably got split into groups by Adar and sent on different orders. In a previous episode, Halbrand stated that the watch tower is where the villagers were to go in case of an attack, which is how the numenorians knew where to go. You would see the village on the way to the tower. The cgi orc blood I will agree with you on... It doesn't look great.

[@DocEonChannel]

Yeah, it must be Mount Doom they're creating. Which means either Adar is totally lying about the "turning on Sauron" thing, or he was tricked by Sauron into doing it, or he just independantly came up with a plan that Sauron will later co-opt. And it kind of makes sense as something Adar would want to do, because remember that he wants to blot out the sun, and that's what the constant spewing of Mount Doom is gonna do. The geography is kinda wack though, because Ostirith is pretty darn far from Orodruin. Also, the orcs were chanting "Udûn", which is going to be the name of a part of Mordor that's even farther away. I guess they could just be using it in the original meaning - as the Sindarin word for "hell" or "underworld"?

[@jasonsypsa7074]

Elendil said to Muriel that they would sail all the way up the Anduin river for one day and then a day’s ride to the tower.

[@Lucklaran]

First thing about this episode, and the show in general. Don't bother to think, don't ask questions. The showrunners know more than you. The show has had diverging timelines from the beginning, and it is intentionally vague about how much time has passed at any one time so they can just make things happen when they need them too. Convenience as a plot device. The orcs. A couple of things to note. On the "inherent evil" aspect of orcs. There is a huge movement in the D&D community to make orcs not inherently evil. I won't go into details, there is plenty of info if you care to understand. Next, actually look at the orcs in this show, compared to the orcs in the PJ trilogy. With a few notable exceptions, most of the orcs in TLotR are darker skinned. These orcs are noticeably lighter skin toned. Some of you will probably say "you're reading to much into that". All I can say to that is it's an intentional design choice, as is the choice to paint these "uruks" as misunderstood victims, simply looking for a place to call home. As for the combat. We'll start at the "tower". For whatever reason(plot convenience) Adar left most of his orcs outside. Got to have an army left to "threaten" the village afterward. As for the Elves intentionally designing a tower to be destroyed by a single rope on the outside of the tower, where a stray enemy arrow could potentially hit it, killing the Elves inside, can't see any issue with that. As for "How did the villagers get away from the tower?" They clearly left after figuring out the plan to destroy the tower in the last episode. Remember, this show intentionally blurs time. We have no idea how much time has passed between them choosing to abandon the tower, and the orcs arriving. How convenient, right? The village. You're absolutely right Nerdy, the village is open on all sides, the "bridge" crosses a stream you can walk across. All the other sides of the town are wide open. The orcs could simply surround the town and come in from all sides. Why don't they? Because, the MC's have a "plan". In order for this "plan" to work, the orcs have to cross the bridge. But, you're thinking too much Nerdy, the show runners know more than you. Don't ask questions. 10:24 Compare the number of torches here to the number of "orcs" that actually enter the village. I'll argue this the second time Adar is "smart". He chooses only to send in a portion of his forces. Just enough, in fact, to fit inside the "trap" laid for them by the villagers, how convenient. Trouble is, the "plan" sucks, as the orcs inside simply kick down one of the "barricades" and flood into the town. The fire barely inconveniences them. The completely untrained villagers, armed with pointy sticks, rush in and overpower the "orcs", which would be a real problem(orcs aren't much of a threat if they can be dispatched this easily). But it's ok, because, most of these "orcs" aren't really orcs, it's the other villagers! 13:16 The orc that knocks himself off the roof attacking Arondir is another great example of how useless the real orcs in this show are. As is the next "challenge" for Arondir. 13:26 What is arguably the biggest orc in the show is, for some reason, completely unarmed. Rather than attacking Arondir while his back is turned, the showrunners decide for a bit of the old "MC backs into a bad thing and is surprised", in a failed attempt at adding some "comedy". Having given up the element of surprise, it then proceeds to miss every attempt to hit Arondir(which is fair, honestly, he's an elf). 13:46 Arondir is wide open, off balance, and the orc is winding up for a punch, but instead, pulls him in for a hug? Then, instead of crushing him, or snapping his neck, it throws him. Arondir shows once again that a pointy stick is the best weapon in Middle Earth, ending up by stabbing the orc in the eye. At 14:39, the orc pulls at least 3 inches of stick out of it's head(thank goodness orcs have small brains at the very back of the skull?). Next is the "shocking reveal"! Most of the "orcs" were actually untrained villagers! With armor and weapons true, but hey, they were up against equally untrained villagers with Middle Earth's most fearsome weapons, pointy sticks! Adar then brings in the actual orcs(one of the few good choices he makes in this episode), and easily overpowers the villagers. 19:06 The Numenoreans clearly have Tardis ships. There is no way all those men AND horses, with all their armor, fit on the FIVE little ships they brought. When they show Galadriel, she is nearly at the bow of the ship. When it cuts to Elendil, you can see he's at midship at best, with the stern not far away. These ships are too small for the number of men and horses we see. But hey, don't ask questions, the show runners are smarter than you, right? Adar shows some actual brilliance by ordering the death of the "hostages" to get the sword. Then the Numenoreans arrive to save the day. On the ship they tell us it'll take 2 days to get there, but, since we(conveniently) have no idea what day it is on the ship in relation to what day it is in the village, again, conveniently, this works perfectly. As for how they "knew" where to go? The show doesn't bother to tell us, but you shouldn't really think about that, it's not important. Adar abandons his "children" to escape with the sword, after given the Village Traitor an undisclosed errand, with Galadriel and Arondir in pursuit. Halbrand also goes after him, much later than Galadriel, yet somehow manages to get ahead of them both. How does he know where they went or whether or not Adar changed direction once out of sight of the village? Don't think, don't ask questions. The showrunners needed him to be there, so he was. Galadriel, who is portrayed in this show as being so consumed with a need for vengeance that even her own kind are worried about her, then tells Halbrand that vengeance is bad. She follows that up by later telling Adar that she will see to it that he lives long enough for her to rub his nose in the fact that all his "children" are dead. Hypocrite much Galadriel? This plays into this shows theme that "you can't be truly good, until you've been a little bad". "We need Galadriel to be just bad enough that she can have a "redemption arc" later. See how much better she is at the end of the show? So much growth. So much character development!" Triggering the volcano turns out to be the "errand" the Village Traitor was given, because, lo and behold, Adar pulled a switcheroo! We end with a shot of Galadriel standing calmly as a cloud of ash washes over her. This cloud of ash could be moving at speeds of up to 200kph, at a temperature of 400-800C. No worries though, she's an elf, they're Numenoreans and Southland peasants, they're just built different. Don't think, don't ask questions. The showrunners are brilliant. They know more than you. Just turn off your brain and enjoy the show. Amazing episode, brilliant writing.

[@elck3]

TLDR, so what you’re saying is don’t ask questions. Just consume product. Then wait and get excited for next product? I’m mostly joking, but that’s what it sounds like at least partially to me from your comment.

[@Lucklaran]

@@elck3 That pretty much sums it up, and yeah, I don't blame anyone that doesn't read it all, it's a lot. There's just so much to cover. Have a great day.

[@jrconway3]

"Don't bother to think, don't ask questions." Yeah pretty much. That's what most of the people in these comments are saying. They keep trying to justify the showrunners bad writing by explaining it away despite the logical inconsistencies. Even ignoring the fact that the lore is all wrong this show is just plain bad. Also, I do find it hilarious how Adar proves just how terrible of an option the villagers returning to the village actually was. Destroy the bridge and blockage yourselves into the tower, that would be a much safer thing to do. Would it be like Helm's Deep? Yes, yes it would. It would also have been a much smarter decision and made more sense.

[@MartinBryan]

First, love the reaction. Halbarnd being Sauron explains ALL of the plot holes you were concerned about. He has the ability to fool and enchant humans and elves in his 'fair Vistage. The real giveaway is when he and Galadriel have their moment. Halbarnd states he wants to "Bind" that feeling to him. Like how the rings were designed to Bind others to him. and Yes that was Mount Doom!

[@suddenimpulse030]

Halbrand is king of the white mountains.

[@wtw5002]

Cut these folks some slack. They didn't miss the hilt handoff intentionally. It's a quick scene, and as reactors I'm sure they feel compelled to provide entertaining commentary throughout the show, which means they'll sometimes miss small details.

[@christianrapper]

They did say it in one of their theories. What confused them was that no one checked to make sure it was the key once Adar was captured. That made absolutely no sense. Galadriel didn’t know about the key but Arandir did.

[@gorgonzolastan]

Galadriel and Sauron sitting on a tree. F-L-I-RT-I-N-G

[@deathswitch2404]

Adar said to Waldreg just before the Numenors arrived "Waldreg i have a task for you". As for the villages getting out of the Watchtower, couldnt they simply have got out the opposite side of the tower and walked down the hill? Also with the last scene, im pretty sure this is just Galadriel looking into the Palantier, otherwise it makes zero sense, they should all be dead af.