Rings of Power Episode 6 BREAKDOWN | Lord of the Rings on Prime Explained

Deep dive into Rings of Power Episode 6: "Udûn" ! We'll look for all the references to Tolkien's deeper lore, explain what is happening, and I'll give some thoughts along the way. While this was a more action-oriented episode, there's still a lot of lore-related things to discuss and an explosive ending (which I correctly predicted!)
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[@scottmaybee]

I'm calling it now - Sauron is the apple Isildur threw out of the boat.

[@maestrodmc]

I’m calling it. Sauron is . . . . Oh who cares.

[@nokturnalzenon_techgnosis6756]

Now that got a belly laugh out of me. Thank you fine sir!

[@joshrandor4371]

Got em

[@LunaWolf29]

I just spit my coffee across the table. 🤣🤣🙂

[@jockyoung4491]

He does seem to be hiding under every rock in these commentaries.

[@undefined3670]

The fact that Adar said he killed sauron, and halbrand asking him do you remember me in previous scene, smells fishy

[@SkyZzardDaWizarD]

Yes, I was totally looking for this comment. Fishy indeed!

[@ravensdark99]

Agreed, quite obvious its a new body

[@evolicious]

@@Rdude4444 You can't even write a proper comment on youtube.

[@cheogt4623]

@@Rdude4444 haters are as ridiculous as blind fanatics, so don't feel so superior, you are just annoying.

[@eunir7]

And Adar ask him who is he (🧝‍♀️)

[@abarairenji123]

Fun fact #1: Gandalf calls the Barlog of Moria the Flame of Udûn. Excerpt: 'You cannot pass,' he said. The orcs stood still, and a dead silence fell. 'I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass.' Fun fact #2: this is also the speech I made to my ex when she tried to get back into my life.

[@petertaylorarts]

This made me chuckle :)

[@dacianastilean-styles3895]

that's hilarious

[@maadrianoaraujo]

I just hope you didn't fall into the abyss like our man Gandalf did

[@ritorenello]

Ahhaha, were you upgraded to a white wizard after the fight??

[@Andyelmasry]

Did she have a whip?

[@Ej2Savage]

So far, Adar is one of the better characters in my opinion. He has a backstory that actually makes you want to figure out what made him evil. He obviously still holds on to his Elven roots. He cares for his children (the Orcs/Urek) and best of all he actually looks like a dark elf… not just a dweeb in makeup and armor 😂

[@fabiofonv]

Galadriel when the pyroclastic flow hit: "It's quite cool"

[@Despondencymusic]

HA!🤣

[@bl8388]

I wonder if she will have a black, smokey smudge on her face when she walks away from this scene, unscathed. Maybe her hair will be slightly poofed out like a mad scientist after an exploding chemical reaction from an 80's film. I'm intrigued about whether she will fall down or simply flex and grunt, a little to take the explosion like a hero. (crossing my fingers)

[@joshuachong5204]

This is unrelated to any lore, but I thought it was an amazing choice to add flood water to the volcano. I'm a geologist and this is probably as close as film can get to portraying a *sort of* accurate rendition of HOW a volcano actually erupts: by the addition of water and other volatiles (H2O, Co2 etc) that would cause crystallisation of minerals, mostly feldspars, to form. The formation of these crystals in that magma actually takes a greater volume than the magma due to the relatively greater size of the now solid crystal, thus expanding it, making it thick and mushy, and increasing pressure in the chamber, so when there's too much and nowhere to go, an eruption occurs. IN the real world this occurs on much slower timescales and with a lot less drama, but... I am SO happy to have seen it! Okay, its a rocky rant, but just this scene made me overlook whatever mini-misgivings I have (most).

[@dimitrispapadopoulos9265]

Yes I was also questioning how quickly this volcano will erupt

[@antiqueslivers]

the water scene made me think of that tonga eruption.

[@butchgreene]

The only issue I had with the water being the trigger was scale. The amount of water 🌊 was not visually enough to even cool the amount of lava on screen.

[@mikem9001]

This shows the sort of trouble that screenwriters get into when they try to think of a natural explanation for what Tolkien said was a supernatural event. Morgoth created Mount Doom, millenia before Sauron decided to take over Mordor. When he did take up residence in the area, the mountain did not erupt or explode. He forged the One Ring in secret, at magma flows deep within the mountain. It was 1800 years later when the mountain really erupted, and it was no natural event: Sauron needed ash cover to blot out the sun over a wide area so his orc armies could advance in daylight.

[@joshuachong5204]

@@butchgreene Oh yes. I have to somewhat agree. Usually, in geology, its not a lot of water involved relative to the chamber in a short period (say a couple years), but this volume adds up over a long period (100 - 1000 - million year), and usually comes from meteoric (rain) water. I'd give them some points for condensing a thousand year scale into... 20 seconds. Visually, it gives a starting point for many who aren't knowledgeable or never took interest to begin as a discussion point, so on that note I am satisfied. :) Lore-wise, I think it ties it up... sort of nicely, but definitely not cannonically.

[@moviewolverine89]

Big fan of the battle tower that can be brought down by hitting exactly one weak spot. Top notch craftsmanship.

[@Roon3808]

Its been there for 1000's of years, thankfully someone always comes by each year to replace the rope so it doesn't rot and the who tower just collapses.

[@themisvoul1045]

@@Roon3808 still looks better than wrong size- plastic looking- boob fake numenorian armor

[@robertbevins5961]

I suspect that the refugees and Arondir spent some time weakening the structure to the point of collapse. It's old and you know that Gil-Galad never approved a budget that would have paid for proper maintenance for the outposts. The elves stationed there probably knew all the spots that were held together with duct tape and bailing twine, so sabotage might have been simple.

[@doughyjoey_8742]

Oh yeah, the part where they booby trapped and destroyed their fortress. Only to go back and fortify a open and defenceless village. That was amazing writing 👏

[@akashsarjine]

@@doughyjoey_8742 maybe with a full army there were 0% chances 😀

[@dominikotmianowski6943]

Adar's take on the orcs as him being quite a literal father to them, like a first generation of orcs, it was sad as hell. He is so tragic, perhaps remembering his time at Cuivenien before being captured by Morgoth, yet He experienced millenias of darkness and pain, not being an Eldar he once was. But he points very well that his offspring are still children of Eru. I

[@sdqsdq6274]

lol, cant you tell adar is already corrupted that morgoth or sauron dont even bother to turn him

[@maxtannchen9797]

not an Eldar. These did not answer to the call.

[@nataliemarie9775]

@@maxtannchen9797 was coming here to say this

[@maxtannchen9797]

@@nataliemarie9775 too late darling

[@brbdoo]

Some lighthearted pedantry: Millenias isn't a word. Millennia is the plural, millennium the singular.

[@simonunger2599]

Really liking Adar as a semi-sympathetic villain, his perspective on orcs and their place in Middle Earth is very interesting. Hope we get to see a lot more of him

[@ziephel-6780]

Him and that Mother's son, and Durin, are the few likeable characters that I root for in this show. Certainly not Galadriel or Halbrand.

[@SNLandCruisers]

oh man, so bad lmfao

[@jaccl4539]

I hated it because it was at this moment I switched sides - I just dont get how the show can get so off track where they look like misunderstood good guys and galadriel is in a long rant about having you watch while I commit genocide on your people.

[@Auxius.]

Ironic isn’t it, following good guys that are doing more evil- and bad guys that do more good.

[@AxethatGuy]

The harefoots are more evil

[@Morbos1000]

I don't see Adar's statement about Sauron healing Middle Earth as problematic. From Sauron's and Adar's point of view that is what they think they are doing even if from any other perspective it is evil and destructive.

[@chriss3276]

And it fits with several of Tolkien's writing where he says that after Morgoth's defeat, Sauron's repentance to Eonwe was at least partialy sincere. Sauron feared the sentence he would face under the Valar and out of pride he didn't go back to Valinor to face judgement, but Tolkien does write that Sauron at first tried to repair Middle-earth from the damage done in the First Age before falling back into his old ways. Sort of a self-imposed penance that wasn't as bad as what the Valar would have required of him with the hope of then being "let off the hook" by the Valar later. I often thought that what pushed Sauron back to evil was that he, loving order, became frustrated that mankind (having wills of their own) didn't follow his ideas. He then began to try to force his will upon them and trying to dominate the wills of others led him back to what caused his fall in the first place.

[@JeanLucPicard85]

Yeah, bad guys don't see themselves as bad.

[@scipio764]

@@chriss3276 Wait, where did he wrote this? Can you link me the source material? I wanna read that. It is believable that Sauron might try to do good, because Tolkien didn't believe anything could be pure evil, but I couldn't recall Sauron trying to repair the world in the Silmarillion.

[@stephenlyon1358]

It's so weird - one group wants to protect their own people and their own kind - the other wants to bring them all together. The western world wants to bring them all together.. ... ... are we the baddies? ... ..Our uniforms have got skulls on them.

[@Pixis1]

This was how I interpreted it as well. Villains usually don't see themselves as evil. From Sauron's point of view, he was bringing order to Middle-earth -- by attempting to conquer it and impose his will upon its peoples. Maybe this was his way of "repairing" the damage done by Morgoth. The discord that Morgoth added to the Music of the Ainur brought evil into existence. Sauron is trying to draw that evil to himself and give it purpose. Morgoth corrupted early elves to create the orcs. Sauron is organizing the orcs and giving them a home in the Southlands. His actions are cruel and destructive to everyone else but to Sauron, these are necessary evils in the name of order.

[@lowerstreet]

When the season ends, it would be great if you could show us on a Middle Earth map your hypothesized routes of the various characters over the course of Season 1. I'm a little confused by some of the distances and the time it takes to get from one place to another (eg. Khazad-dum to Linden, or where exactly Bronwyn's village might be). It would be nice to see some of the places on a more zoomed out map, so it's easier to see the relative locations of everyone (before zooming in).

[@antdogg0299]

These events take place decades apart but everything is being condensed. But yeah still weird how they are teleporting around but in my opinion the journey isnt important unless something actually happens, so why show it?

[@mikem9001]

Its better you don't know. 🙃 The more you do know about actual distances and places in Tolkien's world, the weirder the whole plot becomes.

[@LydiotGamingTV]

@@mikem9001 Especially if you consider that it would take the Fellowship round about 40 days to travel from Imladris to the Gap of Rohan. And then you get this bullshit show in which they apparently travel by ship from Numenor to ME and THEN up a river, saddle their horses and ride over dozens of miles OVER a mountain range to reach a single small village in a wide ass country in a matter of days.

[@Elyunha]

They literally changed the map Tolkien drew to fit their narrative..

[@mikem9001]

@@antdogg0299 "These events take place decades apart" FWIW, that's another interesting point. Tthe events take place millenia apart, if Tolkien's history is meant to be the basis. Sauron's return to Mordor, fortifying it, forging the One Ring and killing Celebrimbor all took place around 1,600 years after the defeat of Morgoth. But Queen Miriel, Elendil, and Ar-Pharazon weren't even born for another 1,500 years!

[@FFXZeldagames]

Biggest takeaway of the episode for me: Isildur's Mother drowned in a place/culture where the mantra is "The Sea is never wrong." That cut me to the bone.

[@CoolPools520]

the sea is always right 😊

[@FFXZeldagames]

@@CoolPools520 Oh heck did I get it wrong? lol my bad!

[@is_bolo_e_cha]

When Elendil said she drowned, I remembered he kept saying the sea is always right, and now I'm sad

[@CoolPools520]

@@FFXZeldagames it’s okay, you’re not the sea so it’s understandable 😉

[@Manlio.Cipullo]

@@is_bolo_e_cha At least in the books they have no such a claim.

[@alisemaan2148]

Waldrig derserves a promotion ,a dedicated man he is

[@chrillemax]

Well he almost instantly became sort of a right hand man so thats quite the promotion.

[@BenniBoehnchen]

@@joshsemo4214 hahahaha mvp bad guy he is 😂😂

[@P1tr_]

How the hell Galadriel didn’t notice that the shard isn’t there. That seemed super dumb, because there’s clearly dark magic in the shard, so she would have to feel something.

[@belegur8108]

@@P1tr_ nah, Galadriel senses dark magic only if the plots demands it...

[@JonCofer]

@@P1tr_ did she even know what it was? The other elf just told her that he couldn't get away with what he had, not that it was a blood magic artifact. Unless I missed something (definitely possible)

[@arahman137]

Galadriel's threat sounded a little like Morgoth's torture of Hurin, didn't it? Darkest she has been this show.

[@mattikaitola1919]

That's what I thought as well, though it makes zero sense coming from galadriel (of the books anyways)

[@DrCruel]

@@mattikaitola1919 My pet theory is the real Galadriel is imprisoned, and that Galadriel as depicted in Rings of Power thus far is Sauron in disguise.

[@Auxius.]

@@DrCruel ooooooo my gooddd.. it all makes sense now. That would be a terrific save!

[@DrCruel]

@@Auxius. Yeah, I know. It's how Sauron gets Celebrimbor to make the elven rings. It all fits.

[@AxethatGuy]

Galadrial comes off as a cow...Karen and Mary Sue. Sorry I think better of sauron and hope he wins and burns this show away

[@BenyaminLorit]

I'd like to point out that you kinda skipped over the fact that the way Theo described to Arondir how he felt an intense attachment toward the sword hilt (and how it made him feel powerful) was similar to the way ringbearers felt towards the One Ring.

[@Venakis1]

Yes because the showrunners probably copied many staff from the movies and implemented them in the show in a cheap way.

[@BenyaminLorit]

@@Venakis1 sorry man, but that sounded so forced. It's like you just couldn't help yourself and had to say something bad about the show as if it wasn't already a given that they have to pull stuff from the movies to appeal to that crowd. If they didn't, we'd complain, if they did, we'd find reasons not to like it. Either way, they can't win with audiences like us.

[@mikem9001]

@@BenyaminLorit That's not true at all. Straight out copying of another movie doesn't "appeal" to fans. What would appeal is genuine creativity within the parameters of Tolkien's world. Such as e.g. Peter Jackson with the hobbits stealing the fireworks then being forced to do the washing up by Gandalf - no hint of this in Tolkien's work, but quite consistent with it. ROP writers don't seem capable of this level of creativity without changing the fundamental basis of Tolkien's ethos.

[@BenyaminLorit]

@@mikem9001 aaand so the rabbit hole manifests itself. This is the most exhausting part of engaging into (or being forced into) any sort of discourse around this property because at the end of the day, all that are but arbitrary stuff built on highly subjective reasoning and people wind up just cherry picking stuff that works and doesn't work for them then it becomes an endless cycle of pointless online discussion (and we've had too many of those even during the days of The Hobbit trilogy. 😅) And to think, this wasn't even a Jackson movies vs RoP conversation. My point was just that, there was no direction they could have gone with a Tolkien property, made at this day and age, that would've made us totally happy anyway.

[@GT-li7ke]

@@Venakis1 I respect your take but that's seems like such a random response to the original comment. The guy just pointed out one small story beat and you responded with a broad opinion about the whole show. It's barely contextually related. 😅

[@AnythingMachine]

Just imagine the life that Adar has led - awoken unbegotten with a blank, fresh mind beneath the stars in the years of the trees in Cuiviénen (or at least in one of the first few generations that predate Finwe), attempted to found a culture from first principles with the other elves, kidnapped by an evil God and subjected to unimaginable horrors in Udun, seen literally billions of his twisted descendents enslaved by Morgoth and Sauron and then slaughtered like animals by the Noldor and Valar, then abandoned by his masters as useless as the continent he lived on imploded, somehow survived the cataclysm and escaped to wander Middle Earth for millennia... No doubt he's utterly insane by this point.

[@TolkienAnswers]

19:55 Passing reference to Galadriel's mirror. Not just the word, but more the theme. It is at Galadriel's mirror in FOTR when she had the decision to take the ring and become a queen, she would be a true successor of Morgoth.

[@budakhon]

Wow great catch. Makes total sense.

[@jonathanseppo6836]

I love that interpretation. I haven't loved Galadrial this season but I have a feeling I wasn't supposed to love her. She is lost and conflicted. Her healing process will be the arc over the next few seasons I'm sure. I hope they leave just enough of this lost Galadrial to provide that edge that we see especially in the Fellowship of the Ring novel.

[@lordmorgoth7]

But Galadriel would have succumbed, there's only one Lord of the Rings and he is Sauron

[@deebugger]

Good catch!

[@thejediofchicago6580]

@@jonathanseppo6836 Exactly! I think some people are forgetting that, that she's essentially a traumatized soldier who has lost their meaning, and her arc over the course of the series is to find her "humanity" again. Not saying that Amazon has done a great job at showing this concept but I think there has been enough breadcrumbs for me at least to see it.

[@MrPolaris800crew]

I like how Galadriel just stood there enjoying the view while millions of tons of ash and fire headed her way!😂😂

[@lenoigel2626]

Well, if she has the keen eyes of the Elves and has the wisdom of several hundred years of lifetime it makes sense, because then she would have noticed that she can´t outrun a cloud with an average speed of 100 km/h (up to 700). What makes no sense is that she and the village including the Queen Regent, Elendil and Isildur will survive this instead of being cripsy husks; this cloud is around 1000 (!) Degrees Celsius hot, there is no need for cover. Just accept your fate and die, there is no way of surviving this. There was a photographer who filmed the outbreak of a volcano (i forgot which one) and he realized the facts above, so he covered his camera with his body so the pictures would outlive him. And they did.

[@spankie7728]

me too ... for me .. when u see fire and things exploding like a f.... peeps normaly try and run ... like forrest gump " just 100times faster :o " but not in this idiot show ... ofc ... XD

[@AslansAngel1]

Honestly, if I were on a beach and a tidal wave was approaching, I'd probably just take it head on. No point in running because you can't outrun it. Just take it by walking straight into it. I think it's from being a surfer. If I couldn't ride the wave or run from it, I'd just go under it. That was my take on it.

[@ancaar1615]

​@@spankie7728 actually, you cannot outrun a pyroclastic flow that travels at roughly 100 km/h, so this would be my reaction too. Just enjoy the view before I die :)

[@fellowshipculture4982]

Cos she read the script and her plot armour is the Bestest Ever!!

[@hydrasent563]

Adar is one of the most interesting characters so far

[@professorgrimm4602]

Agreed. I hope he's not completely done yet and I hope they manage to make Sauron at least just as interesting.

[@adan3956]

@@professorgrimm4602 Lmao he's acting like a bootleg aragorn so far. Also lets be real his only function in this form is so both of the RoP stans be screaming "ohmaygawwwd hashtag haladriel"

[@Mrixna]

The only one, yes.

[@Tetragrammaton22]

@@adan3956 Adar, not Halbrand.

[@BoroMirraCz]

@@adan3956 You inability to tell a character by thier name just shows that you don't even watch the show and are just parroting some bigoted nonsense...

[@Nicochan388]

Galadriel not checking whether if she had the blade inside that cloth or not was pretty much the reason you don't level up just your DEX, but you put some points in WIS and INT too :D

[@Nicochan388]

@AFTER MOVIE I actually like the show, but like everything made by people, it has its flaws ;D

[@user-dy6ng1pg2n]

Arondir didn't say it was blade so she didn't know what shoud've been inside

[@inforabenny]

Especially we've spent half the series establishing that she is obsessed with finding the enemy. She'd absolutely want to take a look at it whatever it is

[@jaywu_chakra9919]

You with the Elden Ring reference!

[@thesr50factory]

@@jaywu_chakra9919 DEX, and INT were there way before Elden Ring, and Elden Ring has no WIS.

[@rasmuskruger6542]

Halbrand not sleeping made me think of Boromir talking about sauron never sleeping.

[@joshuajones8622]

THANK YOU. I was starting to think I was the only one. 😆

[@5RndsFFE]

Boromir was specifically referring to the eye of Sauron though, not his corporeal form.

[@nickmatv791]

@@5RndsFFE even that is not true. He said "there is evil there, that does not sleep AND the Great Eye is ever watchful".

[@5RndsFFE]

@@nickmatv791 Ahh yep with subs on it would appear I misheard the AND and simply heard The great eye is ever watchful.

[@undefined3670]

Halbrand is Sauron, or it is yet to become, my bet.

[@kaoutherguelmame9572]

Dude I wait for your breakdown videos more than the episodes themselves 😂

[@legoapocalypse3073]

this show is so bad that I'm actually amazed someone is able to do a breakdown of it. And Nerd probably gets some dope from Bezzos to promote this shait.

[@KateTsingtao]

@@legoapocalypse3073 hate watch ?

[@babayaga4783]

@@legoapocalypse3073 chill out dude.

[@MrBrokenwrenches]

@@legoapocalypse3073 I can't imagine spending several hours watching something that I don't like then rushing to the internet and tell everyone that I spent hours on something that I don't like. Maybe you should get a hobby.

[@TheJulioGulio]

@@legoapocalypse3073 Well said, These surface dwellers would eat a turd if it was polished.

[@CybershamanX]

I love how the Númenorians sailed northeast, but somehow arrived at the Southlands/Mordor. THAT'S some "time compression" for ya! 🤪😜

[@ManualBreathing]

The total absence of Elrond/Durin/Celebrimbor this episode makes me completely certain Sauron hasn't been shown yet and is being saved for either the 2nd to last or final episode of the season. The Lord of Gifts needs a proper introduction.

[@9Dunk]

His alarm clock just went off with the eruption.

[@Sunnyside5574]

Halbrand is sauron

[@x-angry-x7108]

Halbrand is sauron 100% its so obvious

[@JayJay5244]

It’s already been leaked that halbrand is Sauron lol I think the leaks are solid but even without the leaks, they’re so on the nose with it… Especially with Episode 6 now, Halbrand seems reaaaaalllyyy pissed with Adar but Adar doesn’t even recognize him (I wonder why that is…🤔) Could it be that he indeed got rid of Sauron but since he’s immortal he just materialized into a human form and tries to escape his past altogether? It’s so predictable and stupid… The irony though that it took Galadriel to get Sauron back to his old ways 😂

[@Despondencymusic]

Even with the condensed time-line...Annatar already knows Celebrimbor.

[@tmillerde]

I really appreciate the civil constructive criticism you have with certain aspects of the show. Other outlets have been absolutely brutal with their criticisms and while I may completely agree with their points, I just prefer your method of respectfully explaining what parts you like and what parts you don’t like and why.

[@5quepasa]

Brutal’s the wrong word. Brutish would be better

[@nicknorris100]

The only thing ill say about it being brutal. It tends to hit them in their pockets more than the soft spoken criticisms

[@kiwicoproductions2828]

*cough Nerdrotic *cough *cough. Lol.

[@nicolashromyk5397]

@@nicknorris100 only when it doesn't get ridiculous. Some of the more brutish critiques I've seen can barely be considered valid.

[@nicknorris100]

@@nicolashromyk5397 fair. Like all the race bs is well...bs. but i do get behind the people for bashing them for not sticking to lore for no apparent reason. My personal issue with the show is it is a good generic fantasy series, but they slapped basic lotr plot lines and characters for clout. Either do the lord of the rings based off Tolkiens notes and books. Or just make a high budget fantasy series

[@danh9083]

"There isn't enough action and battle!" "This war footage is too violent and bloody!"🤷‍♂

[@scod9746]

ya it sounded like hypocrisy or naive glorification of war.

[@meatwagonx33]

I’m loving the bloody violence. Adds a little more to it you know?

[@scod9746]

@@meatwagonx33 war is hell, and that should be a huge part of the feelings we have about it; to gloss over the terrible parts does an injustice to the real experience of it, for those that survive.

[@word90]

I love the detail they made isil left handed. When you see him cut the ring off in the OG movie, he uses his left hand

[@beetlebob4675]

Gaaahh you're right, will have to check this out and pause it, thanks! Lol that's a neat detail to make canon. Seems intensely nerdy. I approve. 🤣

[@bl8388]

And it's exciting that someone with the left-handed disability did something so important! =D

[@MegGjevori]

exactly the got that detail right while making the most absurd and weak show ever

[@mokarokas-1727]

@@bl8388 - Being left-handed is not a disability, dude.

[@mrshadyblues]

@@Rdude4444 the Tolkien estate actually chose to not give Amazon enough rights for consistency, so I find it hard to lay the blame on just Amazon. If for $250 million dollars Amazon still didn’t get rights enough to reference basic facts like ungoliant, then the necessary Dwarvish gold sickness exists within the heart of the Tolkien Estate. I can’t fault Amazon for going in their own direction since they were forbidden from referencing directly 99% of it. And at the end of the day in order to write a complete script each week, it wouldn’t be possible unless they created new material. I AM NOT arguing that what we are given is in most cases even great, but it is more complicated than just Amazon wants it to suck…

[@danielflynn9652]

As far as Arondir's speech goes...I thought it actually fit his character pretty well. He doesn't seem like much of a talker, earlier in the season he said to Bronwyn that he has expressed his feelings for her in every way but words. He's a very stoic, reserved, kinda quiet lead by example type guy. He motivates more by being out front and showing the others how to be brave. Rousing speeches just aren't his style basically, maybe, in my opinion.

[@Blisterdude123]

Yeah, it was a case where a relatively clunky rallying speech was actually an element of his character. He's not really a leader, he was a subordinate. He's been forced to share a leadership role now with Bronwyn, who is definitely more of a people person, purely because he knows he's the rock of support those people needed to cling to. Like the moment Galadriel turns up, a person he knows of, and can defer to in a leadership sense, he seems genuinely relieved.

[@danielflynn9652]

@@Blisterdude123 Good point, yeah she shows up and he's like "ooh thank Illuvatar!"

[@earthflex]

Agreed!

[@Raggedy_Andy71]

Is that why Bronwyn gets all the credit for her people's survival?

[@Blisterdude123]

@@Raggedy_Andy71 s t r e t c h

[@thomabow8949]

At 19:38: I think the concept of orcs being irredeemable is a wonderful concept for the show to explain that was never at all touched on in Peter Jackson's trilogy, and rightfully so. Given their tragic backstory, you do have to question what sense of the divine remains within them as Adar says. However, I doubt the showrunners will make a dramatic statement of this, as clearly in the Third Age they are servants of evil still. I always enjoyed the concept that without the iron fist of a dark master, they are timid, shy nocturnal creatures with a penchant for violence, but not necessarily cruel.

[@neatwheat]

I think Tolkien never settled on one final origin story for the orcs.

[@davidhimmelfahrt3732]

@@neatwheat the most popular one is, that they were just elves tortured and held beneath the earth, until the orc creations is what of them remained.

[@neatwheat]

@@davidhimmelfahrt3732 That's right. Still Tolkien had his doubts if this was going the way he wanted to go about it with his story. So he left it open to everyone's imagination, I guess. Which might also be a good thing - to keep a little bit of mystery and sustain this sense of awe.

[@shardperson3777]

The books do mention at one point that there's nothing in the world the Orcs hate more than Sauron, the show could go the way of having fairly sympathetic Orcs who end up enslaved again and so are bound to do evil regardless of what they want, I wouldn't mind that tbh, even if it has some very dark implications regarding the "heroes" of the Third Age

[@brianj3150]

@@shardperson3777 I think has to do with Tolkien's and the Whole LOTR trilogy being based in Christianity. The Elves being angels the wizards be Archangels and Sauron being Satan himself and the Orcs being the damned the irredeemable. Like once you're in hell there is no return. This Show has Butchered Tolkien's work and is horrible. I have watched every episode and the plot holes the bad acting and so so so many things just don't make sense. Galadriel criticized Halbrand for leaving his people behind and What did she do on the mountain? she was ready to leave her people behind to freeze to death.

[@wadeab]

I feel like this episode will be looked back on as Halbrand = Sauron. Halbrand talks about what Adar did to him, but is not recognized. Then we hear about how Adar split open Sauron. These two scenes seem directly related.

[@nicolashromyk5397]

That and his refusing to answer Adar's question about his identify after all that. At this point I'm rooting for him being Sauron over the Witch King.

[@joshxamanda]

I still think Halbrand is the undead king

[@CarolinaPine]

@@nicolashromyk5397 It makes more sense that Halbrand is Sauron than the Stranger is Sauron.

[@remyd8767]

@@nicolashromyk5397 if he is sauron, then the then it's not earned. All the scenes of Halbrand in numenor just don't scream "scheming dark lord of evil"

[@matthewchernesky8382]

I’m personally hoping that we haven’t even met Sauron yet and Halbrand is a misdirect. Maybe a Nazgûl.

[@franzyland]

The thunder from lightning in an eruption resonates off the volcanic ash and makes a science fictiony laser blast sound. I experienced this firsthand during Mt. Pinatubo. I haven't heard anything like it before or since. It's a very cool sound that drowns out all the yelling and screaming.

[@beetlebob4675]

That seed-buring scene in the beginning was beautiful. Honestly.

[@jayyaj156]

What annoys me about this episode is that nobody checked to see if the sword hilt was really in the folded towel after getting it from Adar. How does nobody check to see if something that important is really their until it's too late.

[@The11IsaN]

Because the writers, producers, and casts themselves don’t check and verify anything that’s important as well….

[@jasonito23]

That bothers me too. But other than that, this was a solid episode....but yes that is very annoying.

[@yallowapples]

Arondir never told Galadriel it was a sword hilt or why it was important, so she and Halbrand had no idea what was supposed to be in it. Adar acted as if it was important, too. Arondir should have noticed the shape wasn't right but maybe he went to find Theo as soon as someone handed it to him.

[@MrMejia187]

Honestly, that was so dumb and it killed the moment.. How could Arondir not notice it wasn't the hilt?!!

[@berkaydogan2632]

There is another problem, why numenorans riding their horses at a gallop? They dont know the war is being at that land. Whats the point to haste? Like they know the battle and need to arrive that in time, thats bullshit. It doesn't make sense, how writers don't think a little bit after what they wrote? Can't they think the question that we think?

[@BlyatBlaster]

I didn’t read the Galadriel/Halbrand scene as romantic either. I haven’t gotten that from any of their interactions. One of Tolkien’s very core themes is that characters can “love” each other without it having to be romantic. The camaraderie and brotherhood of Men, the shared history and suffering of the elves, the national pride of the Dwarves. All of these foster a love between these peoples that doesn’t have to be romantic. Like when people try to argue that Frodo and Sam are somehow romantically involved. They aren’t. They love each other. And they aren’t romantic. It’s possible. Tolkiens themes center on this idea of love between fellowships, love between friends. Love that isn’t romantic and doesn’t need to be. There’s absolutely no reason Galadriel and Halbrand can’t love each other and also not be romantically attracted to each other. That’s very much in keeping with Tolkien.

[@LisaVandiver1]

I hope you're right as it would not be good. Is my timeline off as I thought Galadryl should have been married by now as should Elrond who married Galadryl's daughter, or am I wrong? They cannot change these 2 parts or Arwin won't be born.

[@BlyatBlaster]

@@LisaVandiver1 in the books, yes, at this point Galadriel would be married to Celeborn and likely have their daughter Celebrain. For this series, I’m not sure with the time compression. It’s also possible that at the end of the season Galadriel will turn around, go back to Lorien, walk in her front door and say, “Honey, I’m back!” And a doting Celeborn will come out around the corner with an apron and a duster to greet her 🤣

[@LisaVandiver1]

@Third Pentateuch, Yes, you are absolutely right. I wished they had stayed closer to the lore.🤣

[@professorbutters]

@@BlyatBlaster And cookies.

[@jasonito23]

It could be romantic. This is a "young" Galadriel who has not fallen under the spell of any ring and just like Beren and Luthien, Aragorn and Arwen, and that Elf in the Hobbit who fell in love with the dwarf (which I don't recall in The Hobbit book). Just because the feeling may be there doesn't mean it will be acted upon. This is a different story. But it looked like the feeling of hope etc and romantic because they brought it out of each other.

[@antivanti]

I kind of like how this episode, as Shadow of Mordor did, shows the orcs as being complex rather than caricatures of evil. And Galadriel shows a darkness kind of like Celebrimbor has a great darkness in his absolute hatred for the orcs in Shadow of Mordor. She is currently on that dark path and something will have to get her off that path...

[@daxbradley4346]

It's nice to come across a video discussing the ROP show and isn't simply a list of things the viewer supposedly hates about the show, yet they keep watching

[@blackworldtraveler3711]

Yeah I have been avoiding those tantrum videos. Don't understand people like that.

[@larrym2434]

That's why we have tantrum comments.

[@Isaac-torquato]

In The Return of the King (book), the orcs catapult heads of men into minas tirith. It's just not possible to make scenes like this feel soft and i don't think that violent scenes like the ones in the tavern are out of place.

[@Bruh-pp2bh]

Funny enough they show that in the movie too very descriptively and on top of that let’s not forget young men fought in helms deep and even tho we may not be directly shown; we know that they most likely died and suffered ugly so this show hasn’t gone that far imo and people need to relax.

[@Tatertot006]

Precisely. I feel like it makes the stakes more real for the characters too.

[@50ULL355]

I think it notr says that due to the amount of blood spilt, like while there is a lot of violence you don't actually see that much blood

[@cxzact9204]

@@50ULL355 I don't really get how omitting blood flow makes something more palatable. I for one don't love looking at the violent moments but it does make the stakes feel higher and it is realistically evil and reflects the conditions of war.

[@mark9294]

Well I think the violence has gone too far. It does not fit the source material in any way

[@behystudio]

Normal people only watch one episode every Friday, But legends will watch one episode plus one breakdown episode from Nerd of the Rings.

[@johnboy3523]

I am absolutely blown away that a single man created a world of this depth

[@krissybeauty]

Took him like 50+ years tho

[@johnboy3523]

@@krissybeauty I don’t know if I could produce anything of this magnitude in 50+ years no matter how hard I tried 😅

[@JohnDubya]

10:24 "pre-battle smoochy time" 🤣🤣

[@SoledadGooner]

No Harfoots in this episode already a bonus! Apart from some cheesy dialogues it is the best episode I have watched in a long time!

[@Jammy4838]

yea but following their story and the meteor man whom i believed is Gandalf is actually interesting to watch!

[@JACKAL98]

na this series is bullshit, it doesnt follow the book

[@jockel4256]

I just wondered about the apple, isildur threw into the water. I think it also was the most disgusting scene, when Isildur ate the apple after his horse licked it 😂

[@jatinbandhiwal1987]

@@jockel4256 I immediately thought that if Aragorn saw that he would not be running into battle yelling the name of Isildur.

[@jockel4256]

@@jatinbandhiwal1987 😂

[@geoninja3631]

I thought galadriel and halbrand were just happy to feel ptsd-free for a moment while fighting evil

[@ChristmasLore]

Or share PTSD? Still, something felt highly romantic about it.. Where's her husband?🤔

[@mikecranapple8878]

"ptsd-free" ? More like Tom Cruise's character in Toy Soldiers scene manning the machine gun: "It's beautiful!!!"

[@geoninja3631]

@@ChristmasLore or shared PTSD, true. Didn't feel romantic to me but I guess it could be.

[@geoninja3631]

@@mikecranapple8878 you mean like legolas and gimli keepin cound of their kills ? xD

[@geoninja3631]

@@mikecranapple8878 😂

[@stevnated]

Him throwing the apple into the ocean instead of giving it to his horse bugged me! Surely you shouldn't waste food when you are on a boat?

[@swannie1503]

Sauron devoting himself to "healing middle earth" I think is more of a reference to Melkor doing the same thing after his imprisonment in Mandos. I think it's something like Melkor hid his true intentions and sought first to healing Valinor - and from there wove his malice into the Noldor.

[@thomassu1697]

I see the moment between Halbrand and Galadriel more as two warriors recognising one another. Both fighting with bravery and honour and swiftness. It’s real ones recognising real ones. You get me ?

[@georgvapper600]

I think when Adar said of Sauron that he wanted to "heal Middle-Earth" he did not mean that in the way you came off believing. I think he meant that Sauron wanted to "heal" in his own sense of the word, which would likely mean removing all the free-folk from middle earth and replacing them with orcs and other dark creatures

[@SympieXD]

That isn't true actually, Sauron wanted to control middle earth because he thought he could it far better than any other being. The orcs were just a way to get that control. Just like he tried with the rings of power.

[@georgvapper600]

@@SympieXD But that doesn't mean my explanation can't be true. What I am saying is that Nerd of the Rings misunderstood the meaning of the line delivered by Adar since it seemed to me like he believed when Adar said "heal" he meant it in a way that would be positive for the free-folk but he doesn't see the world in that way. For him, "healing" could be a process that would seem horrifying and destructive to the free-folk. I did not mean that Sauron did what he did because he wanted to help the orcs.

[@lesbiehonest8914]

The keyword he said is order. He wants order just in a twisted Sauron dominance way.

[@georgvapper600]

@@lesbiehonest8914 Yeah, Nerd of the rings got that part and agreed with it, but I did not agree with his interpretation of the first part

[@chrism2964]

@@georgvapper600 I agree, there was nothing benevolent about it, it was all his dark control.

[@SatoshiMeatSweats]

Ive enjoyed most your videos, and thoroughly enjoy your breakdowns, infact.. most people wont notice the things you notice and breakdown for the population. Ive shown multiple people your breakdowns and they have all said the same thing, They didnt realise how deep the rings of power were, how much hidden and specific items are actually placed in this series. Well done dude.

[@DaveDunsire]

One thing incredibly intriguing is Halbrand’s line “ I felt.. if I could just hold onto that feeling..Keep it with me always…bind it to my very being* isn’t that exactly what Sauron’s goal is with the ring of power? I would say it’s a dead giveaway he is Sauron in disguise

[@RobKlarmann]

Yes, but the witch-king will also have a ring that binds him. Argh...can't wait to find out.

[@ModularLanding]

Or misdirection. There’s been a lot of intentional misdirection by the show as to who Sauron is. Plenty of parallels for the Stranger and Adar (earlier on). But I don’t think any of the three are Sauron.

[@AntonAdelson]

I just bet he gets a ring as one of the human Kings

[@aDifferentJT]

I thought the Halbrand/Galadriel thing was a comrades-in-arms thing, not a romance thing. I have often heard and can imagine that going into battle with someone gives you a bond that few other things can.

[@din6672]

Turns out there are many nice guys in fandom. Any woman man talk must end with romance

[@biggtrux]

How do suppose Celeborn would feel about that?

[@JeanBaptisteEmanuelZorg]

So there is going to be sex scene, GoT-style, this is made in USA show afterall

[@damiendizonnoshow9477]

The Spartans are like hold my spear.

[@theofontaine5564]

I hope so! While the romance was implied, the elf/other race romance narrative is so cliche` by now

[@GrayCatbird1]

To me it seemed obvious that when Adar says Sauron restored Middle-Earth, he meant make a place in his image, which in Adar's eyes would be a good thing. After all in the same breath Adar speaks of Sauron conducting experiments on the Orcs to make some proto-ring, definitively not the works of a "good" Sauron.

[@Eowyn3Pride]

Hitler viewed his cleansing Germany and the world as good...no less than Galadriel ridding Middle earth of Orcs, or Adar filling the world WITH Orcs.

[@CNNBlackmailSupport]

Adar thinks he killed Sauron, so he has no reason to sugar coat his opinion on Sauron's plans. It sounds like both groups would see "heal and unite middle earth" as a bad thing. For Adar, Sauron would have no reason to keep the orcs alive once he controls everything. He uses orcs because they are mostly guaranteed fealty with very little effort. For the forces of good, being dominated by Sauron is obviously a bad thing.

[@PUNISHERMANIA]

Conducting experiments on Orcs to create Wraiths and Nazguls, a power to bind the flesh and will to it's master and control them, but to do that first he must create the rings

[@unitedstatesofmordor]

@SingBrotherHeckler Well said. I'm glad to see some people actually get it.

[@michaelmontes9820]

@@CNNBlackmailSupport it seems that that was the motive behind him “killing” Sauron, also why Halbrand wanted to kill him so badly. Good/Bad it doesn’t matter, it’s Sauron’s will that forced Adar to intervene. It’ll be pretty cool once the betrayal is known and he shows up and kills Adar. But then would the Orcs follow Sauron if Adar isn’t there or know Sauron killed Adar.

[@Danaamot]

Not sure if they intended it or not, but I really enjoyed the attention to detail during this episode. When the "orc" army is marching on the village I initially thought it strange that they needed torches, since orcs have superior dark vision (to borrow a phrase from D&D), but then it all made perfect sense when it turned out the initial attack force was made up mostly of humans, and when the real orc army attacks, they do so from the cover of darkness, as one would expect them to. I also appreciated that Galadriel was able to see land long before the men, which she wouldn't technically have been able to do due to the curvature of the earth, but at this point in time, the earth is flat, so she would have no difficulty doing so.

[@chriss3276]

Tolkien's orcs did not have super night vision and required torches the same as any other being.

[@mitchellfreeman7010]

Didn’t know lord of the rings was set on earth?

[@chriss3276]

@@mitchellfreeman7010 Tolkien wrote his stories as pseudo history of Europe/Earth. He left that Britian had lost its native mythological cultural roots due to the Norman Invasion and set about to create one. Arda therefore is supposed to be Earth in pre-Biblical times.

[@TheSunsetsuicide]

The stabbing scene was very notable to me. The blades seemed to pierce slowly, like they were making a point about the people being stabbed by orcs. I wondered if this mirrors the Galadriel arc of "you become the monster you hunt", these orcs are looking for a home so much they have become monsters to get it, and by the time we get to LoTR they are seen as nothing more than monsters. Here Adar sympathises with the orcs and up until this slow stabbing scene I didn't really see them as monsters, now they are to me.

[@harshadlamrood]

It's past midnight in India right now, & I just logged in to check the breakdown of yours. The episodes aren't complete without your breakdowns 😀

[@mattbrianm83]

After watching the episode at one point halbarand asks adar "do you remember me?" Later adar explains how he thought he killed sauron. Did anyone else take it as halbarand saying its me sauron? Im about to take my revenge

[@deut]

Yeah possible! :) But it just feels wrong for him to be Sauron. Please let him be the Witch King or so ;D But the setup seems to go to him being Sauron. As Sauron sort of becomes the king of the southlands as well.

[@_ben_miller]

that's my sus[picion. yes

[@MohamedIbrahim-jo7qj]

there is no way in hell that halbarand is sauron , i mean have you already forgotten about the ill intentions of Gil-Galad and sending elrond to Khazad-dum i think sauron is working in the shadow and that part where we suspect halbarand is part of the misleading plan like we will be deceived as much as all middle-earth i am pretty sure about that just ask yourselves whenever you wanna suspect halbarand , (who could possibly convince Celebrimbor of acquiring the Mithril for creating the RINGS other than Sauron) and he is working in the shadow that has been sauron's way always.

[@elijahmoon21able]

Nah. Lame. New bodies too easy to come by

[@kathrynkochanowicz9532]

Benjen Stark’s out here completing every side quest imaginable.

[@stephenbetley9596]

Hopefully ep7 will be all about the quest for mithril and the dangers that will bring. Maybe even a foreshadowing of the Balrog kind or a bit of Celebrimbor's backstory.

[@flowtrotters12230]

and you guessed right😅😅

[@broadie42]

It's refreshing that you're critical where the show get's away from tolkein's lore, but still enjoy other parts of the show and give it a chance. Love you coverage of the show!

[@NLDlover]

I dont know how deviating from the lore is inherently a bad thing. If I want pure, 100% Tolkien, I'll read Tolkien. And when it comes to lore, The Silmarillion was designed to be an *in universe* scriptural history from the subjective perspective of people in Middle Earth (which Tolkien said). It's "history" the same way the book of Exodus is "history". It was never meant to be an indisputable, totally accurate historical record. That's why if feels so authentic.

[@raskolnikov6443]

@@NLDlover of course it is a bad thing. All the deviations have been horrible so far.

[@NLDlover]

@@raskolnikov6443 If you can make a coherent criticism of the show without resorting to "It's different from the lore therefore it is automatically bad," then fine. That's not really my issue. I have my own quibbles and issues with the show. The show is developed for a casual global viewing audience who are mostly just familiar with the films. That's the continuity they're mostly concerned about. So I am judging the show based on the expectations that Amazon set. My main issue with the fandom right now is that lore purism is a boring and lazy critical approach for any IP adaptation when taken to its logical conclusions. If you want to remain totally pure to Tolkien, then there should be NO adaptations at all. The ultimate endpoint of that perspective is an intellectual and aesthetic nihilism that rejects any new creation.

[@eminosose]

Don’t understand why they didn’t just check that they had the broken blade immediately after recovering it from the bad guy….no they had to wait until it got to Theo.

[@kevinschmidt8101]

I am glad they didn't check it. I am actually on the side of adar, the orcs and most likely sauron. Reallocate like adar so far

[@MarieS610]

Galadriel and Halbrand wouldn’t know what it was anyway though. Arondir just told her don’t let him escape with it. It clearly stays with Galadriel until she gives it back to him at the end. Which he almost immediately gives to Theo. Which at that point it was too late anyway.

[@LydiotGamingTV]

@@kevinschmidt8101 Same. If this is to continue, I would rather have them destroy Middle-Earth and rule over Galadriels dead corpse than this garbage.

[@LydiotGamingTV]

@@MarieS610 You would let hours and hours pass to get the dangerous item that you so desperately tried to get back from the enemy leader inspected? Instead of turning an aftermath of a skirmish into a party they should have 1. mourned and buried their dead and 2. hold a council to talk and there it should have been brought up.

[@MarieS610]

@@LydiotGamingTV you are absolutely correct

[@VERCINGET0RIX]

Adar and the orcs are actually the good guys.

[@Roon3808]

Gotta give the show props for having the guts to make Galadriel evil. No one expected that.

[@Mi_Pi]

Your videos are the most comprehensive and easy to follow! Thanks!

[@Mavis-Tanya]

Bronwyn and Arondir opinion - she knows the phrase because they've already talked about this before. It was a moment to show that their romance has been around for far longer than what we've seen. The glances they shared are similar to a wife smiling as a husband repeats a story for the 10th time.

[@TehThxsis]

Yes. Pretty sure Theo is his actual son. They look so similar lmfao

[@SopranoLili]

Agree about Theo being Arondir’s son. You can check each and every episode : you will NEVER see Theo’s ears… because they are pointy?

[@JACKAL98]

@@SopranoLili good catch, im now 100% sure hes half elf

[@ronwhite4583]

I agree. At first I had the thought of how would she know, but the way she responded made it sound like she was repeating something he has told her.

[@CelestialShaman44]

Nerd of the Rings is the BEST reviews for this series!! Skipped the viewing and go straight to Nerds version 👏☄️⚡️👑🦄🧚‍♂️

[@espenstoro]

I don't mind the violence at all, we kinda needed it to get the full impact. Certainly not as light hearted as Star Wars violence, but miles away from Game of Thrones (which also uses it appropriately to serve the story most of the time if you ask me). But man, this show... full of moments I never imagined I'd see on screen, like the literal birth of Mordor. Definitely had a massive fanboy moment.

[@mikem9001]

"like the literal birth of Mordor" Sure, it was a cute fantasy creation that had nothing to do with the source material, and actually runs contrary to it.

[@espenstoro]

@@mikem9001 It's a show. Watch it for what it is.

[@squaeman_2644]

@@espenstoro I mean you'd think you'd watch a Tolkien show for Tolkien...

[@espenstoro]

@@squaeman_2644 The show is made by Amazon, there's no Tolkien involvement.

[@pablo-iu3lv]

@@espenstoro that's why is crap

[@annegirard3697]

Brilliant Tolkien commentary + Smoochie time = One awesome KZbin channel!!! Love all of these videos!!

[@lost_in_philosophy]

I couldn't help but notice that Halbrands horse was faster than Galadriels (check 43:23) It's hard to believe especially when she had a headstart and more so being a (super/elite) elf. Anyone noticed?

[@Darduel]

He came from the other side

[@1stmorgoth289]

its clearly established by now that charackters can indeed teleport.

[@tren133]

Maybe he knew a shortcut since he is from this part of the world.

[@1stmorgoth289]

@@tren133 correct if im wrong, but wouldn´t adar be from here then too? Esocialy given that sauron, according to the show, wasn´t here in a while.

[@bryansims5522]

My theory for that is due to the fact that he’s from the lands, or claims to be. So it would make sense if he knew a short path to head off Adar.

[@kevz2474]

Isildur throwing away that apple like he throws away knowledge lol

[@pony26]

I think you're misunderstanding "putting things in perfect order." That doesnt automatically make you a good guy. Sauron's perfect order isnt going to be the same as the Valars.

[@FlowerGemsGirl]

When he said that, I thought about Hitler creating his “perfect new order” by committing genocide. It was something Tolkien-like to show how a simple sentence that could sound ok, could have a very dark and horrible meaning behind it. No matter how softly the sentence is said. Gave me an “uh-oh” feeling in my tummy.🫣

[@MrPrice2U]

The costume design is ludicrous, and Galadriel seems to be the shortest Noldor to ever walk the earth.

[@kristenchen7084]

She does need to be taller. Same for Elrond.

[@Shamino1]

Elrond's only 4 inches taller than Durin.

[@garrettrivera6617]

I think we need to stop pretending that Tolkien's works weren't violent. He turned Celebrimbor into an arrow pin cushion, stuck him on a pike, and marched him out flesh banner for the orcs. Love this channel! And I've loved watching these episode breakdowns!

[@henryweiland7761]

I like how the day after they've lost a bunch of people, family members and such, the villigers throw a party with the numenorians and name some guy their king without question.

[@politedog4959]

throwing a party after a battle in honor of the dead is nothing new or unusual. The exact same thing happens in rotk after the costly victory at helms deep

[@beagle626]

I mean it's not just some guy. The queen of a legendary island realm of humans who live twice as long as normal humans showed up to their village along with one of the Eldar of Valinor and saved them all from certain death, then confirmed this dude was their king. If I was one of villagers I'd probably be like "yeah, sure" as well haha.

[@krupam0]

That's literally what they do in the Hobbit after Bard kills Smaug.

[@vsingh8078]

Agreed! There's some really bad writing in the series a lot of times.... unfortunately!!

[@ZiggyStardust49]

@@krupam0 A lot of people already decided this show was bad 6 months ago, so they work backwards from their conclusion, ignoring the faults with Peter Jackson's works.

[@cypher10]

I took the Galadriel/Halbrand scene is budding romance or admiration, not her sensing something might be off. She's about to say something back to him when they're interrupted. Also, when Halbrand is asked if he's the king they were promised, he looks at Galadriel an she's urging him, nodding her head for him to say yes. Nothing about her demeanor at any time said, I feel something is out of place with this man.

[@nonamename4367]

that's because Halbrand has this confusion within in himself. Sauron deceived them and he is

[@MarieS610]

I initially took this as a romantic exchange for sure and hated it 😂 Ive since seen a lot of explanations from people who DID not see it as romantic and I’ll say that the only one that seems to fit is Tolkiens idea that there is a bond that can be formed that isn’t romantic but close in a almost spiritual way. I can buy into the idea that these two character who clearly have a struggle within them, who both maybe need to find peace, that maybe they find it within each other, and felt a connection with each other that is strong and powerful, but not romantic. I just really don’t want it to be romantic lol

[@nathaniellee6304]

Adar be like: "From my point of view, the Jedi are evil."

[@margote7965]

I found " nerd of the rings" KZbin channel. This chap goes into great detail on every episode.. His knowledge is exceptional.

[@recordatron]

I can see why people might read the moment between Halbrand and Galdriel as being romantic but I took it more as two damaged souls on similar paths making a connection through their mutual growth. I don't think the romantic overtones were explicit and I think they're aware that might be a bridge too far for Tolkien nerds...whether that'd be the case for a casual audience though is up for debate. Personally, I'd rather they just didn't go there but we'll see.

[@NikolisKitchen]

I don't see it as romantic either.

[@markbills4122]

I hope not because I'm pretty sure she's married to Celeborn at this point......

[@KozMc]

I absolutely agree with your 'damaged souls on similar paths making a connection through their mutual growth', but the chemistry between them is off the charts for me, and I really enjoy their frisson and can't get enough of their scenes together. Either Celeborn isn't in the picture yet (making me suspect Halbrand will die/step aside for that relationship to occur), but I did see some analysis on how nonmonogamous Galadriel's extended family were, suggesting that even if she has a betrothal to Celeborn, they have 'an understanding', but that's major speculation (considering the other time adjustments, I think the showrunners have gone for the first option).

[@NikolisKitchen]

The show has spent a lot of time dwelling on the immortality of elves and their perception of time. Being married but not having seen one another for a hundred or few years to an elf is probably like a weekend trip away with the girls to a human. I personally think Celeborn is out there somewhere and they just haven't mentioned him yet, though why you wouldn't mention such a thing, I don't know. I do agree that Galadriel and Halbrand have a lot of chemistry, but I don't think you're going to see any kind of romantic intentions toward one another at all.

[@LydiotGamingTV]

@@NikolisKitchen He's dead, according to leaks she says it later in the show. I know, leaks can not be trusted over all BUT every single one turned out true for this "show".

[@JFLTX]

I personally liked the slight gore. Not over the top like Game of Thrones but for me it adds to the seriousness of the battle/situation. It beats watching Sam kill goblins with a pan. That's just silly. 🤣

[@jadenw-d5562]

It was definitely a good thing especially after that one elf got his throat slit when they were captive a few episodes back and there was hardly any blood 😂

[@apan990]

the gore was fine except for the blood coming from that woman, they sucked so bad in helping her and lost SO much blood, i can only imagine how pissed off doctors/nurses were watching that scene lol.

[@PhilGerb93]

Bro, any fight in lotr felt more serious than the one in that episode. Wtf are you smoking?

[@paulgalligan1916]

😆 🤣 😂 😹 Sam the pan man can

[@nicolashromyk5397]

It added a lot to gravity of the situation.

[@josuepineiro4968]

I think that Adar isn't clinging (as if he wants it removed) to his elven part, but celebrating it (remembering it). He isn't an orc, or an elf. He is a being of two worlds, and he acknowledges this. I think this is why he can emphasize with the orcs (goblins). I really like that they are humanizing orcs, it makes the lore much more compelling, relatable and complex.

[@Tetragrammaton22]

Gotta emphasize with those orcs. Great emphasis is needed.

[@canindian8991]

@@Tetragrammaton22 😂

[@andrewmacdonald5884]

Yeah when I first saw Adar and assumed he was a servant of Sauron I thought it was kinda lame, especially considering elves basically never serve evil in Arda, and if they do it’s out of self interest, not loyalty. However, Adar being an elf that was one of the “first orcs” that Morgoth tortured and mutilated is a cool backstory, and if it’s true to Tolkien if he is, in fact, not working for Sauron or some other greater evil.

[@brontsmoth671]

@@Tetragrammaton22 I bet OP speaks more languages than you.

[@kevinmccabe7263]

Are they though? The orcs have been just as simple and brutal as in past movies, if not more.

[@smelisi]

While I have nothing against amping up female characters in a narrative, here it is always done at the expense of anything a male character might do. Which means that no male character will be allowed to be awesome in his own right. That would be unseemly given this dynamic. Which has me thinking...are they going to stick Galadriel on Mount Doom with Gil-Galad and Elendil and Isildur in the final confrontation against Sauron? I mean, if we ever get there?

[@nearlysolvent806]

You have unwittingly pulled back the curtain to reveal Oz, whose true name is _toxic_ _femininity_

[@precoius]

Omg, that’s a great prediction! Only time will tell, but I think the odds are in your favor.

[@MythicBricks]

arondir kicked ass in this episode and he's male.

[@smelisi]

@@MythicBricks you mean got his ass kicked and needed to be saved by a woman

[@connor_phillipz5689]

By far my favorite part of the episode and I think my favorite moment of the series so far was when Adar tells Galadriel that "We are creations of the One. Masters of the secret fire, same as you." I think this line is great both from a narrative perspective of continuing to humanize the orcs and as a reference to Tolkiens views on the creations of Morgoth. These aren't the evil, nameless, and faceless thralls of the Hobbit or the Lord of The Rings trilogy. They very clearly have feelings and emotions the same as humans and elves do. It's their origin, which they had no decision about, which caused the endless conflict between them and the other races of middle earth. I'm not saying they're the good guys of course, but it's a little more grey than black and white. It is also wonderful as a reference to the creation of the world and how Tolkien views the creations of evil. Eru Ilúvatar himself says that "...No theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined." So Adar is 100% correct that they are all creations of Ilúvatar and have the same true life that the elves have. Galadriel may not see it or want to acknowledge it, but the Uruk's have a part to play in the story which Eru has designed. I'm interested to see where this concept goes in the series.

[@sneakyninja2773]

Really great analysis, you actually showed me that there is alot more to that scene that I thought. At first I wasn't sure if I liked it, but now I love the depth behind it. Thanks!

[@raskolnikov6443]

They are not supposed to get humanized though

[@ToddSchul]

Yeah, making the good look evil and the evil look good is really "nuanced and interesting". In Middleearth Sauron is " the great deceiver" in real life according to Catholic teachings (which are the core framework of the LOTR) Satan is "the great deceiver". Both if them make evil look good and good look evil. It is not a concept to be taken lightly. Middle earth wasn't "pretend" to Tolkien, it was meant to point to foundational truths about the real world.

[@connor_phillipz5689]

@@raskolnikov6443 Why?

[@kennethsatria6607]

Damn that is good. Its a shame they do end up extinct by the end of lotr, but I feel like there isn't even a need for a part to play I think its simply the fact that orcs are slaves to evil without choice they deserve a chance to be greater than they were. I think it'd be cool if the nearly extinct orcs found some sense of peace in what time they have left. They are in many ways comparable to any other country that went to war under the power of a dictator, and like in our history we shouldn't hold it against them when several generations have passed and they have suffered just as much in war.

[@willkisatsky2448]

Cannot believe that notr called mount doom exploding and covering the southlands practically since day 1. Literally no other person has this much knowledge to predict something like that. I was so excited for the mount doom scene

[@darthvegan435]

While it was a good call, and NotR surely has great knowledge, he wasn't the only one..

[@marcrolle4601]

Yeah I mean the show is called rings of power. And Sauron forges the one ring in the fire of mount doom....soooooo yeah the volcano has got to start exploding at some point this first season or else we won't get rings of power in rings or power until season 4 haha.

[@Indiegaze]

Mount Doom exploding is basically shown in the trailers... We see a giant boom and shockwave that shakes the entire village and almost knocks everyone over, volcanic rock starting to rain down around Isildur, a shot of Galadriel as the pyroclastic cloud is coming, and Galadriel waking up, covered in volcanic ash and the entire sky is smoky and red like in Mordor...it was pretty clear that it was going to happen.

[@willkisatsky2448]

@@darthvegan435 fair enough. He is the only one who I watch say it, which is why I was so surprised

[@tompark5047]

It's been pretty obvious for a while that would happen... and that the hilt/key thing would be the thing that causes it.

[@ThelVadam7777]

I like Aldar. Its cool to see someone who actually cares about orcs

[@AMcGrath82]

"I care so much about these hateful killing machines." I dunno. That seems a bit... off.

[@jackblanton8184]

@@AMcGrath82 he was the first one, so yes

[@t_riverrat910]

They all may be his descendants.

[@postlukecore]

We’re doomed as a culture. The murderous savages who stab women slowly to death are soooo relatable because of marginalization. Y’all are nuts.

[@aminiqbal4907]

@@t_riverrat910 Are there orc women for such a breeding program?

[@dess_greenwood1081]

Thank you for your insights and thoughts about the latest episode.

[@Schnappigatoah]

Did anybody notice, that the day-night-circle doesn't work in this episode? The battle in the village takes place by night and ends when the sun rises. But the numenorians just ride during the day and even saw the sunrise on the ship. They even talk about the sunrise in the east.

[@tamarinmangold1414]

I was also very confused by this.

[@Eoq-vi9yx]

In the ship, Elendil tells Miriel they still have to sail up river for 1 day, and ride for another day. So that sunrise in the ships is two days before the battle in the village

[@thomasblake8504]

I didn't expect the show to end like this. That's pyroclastic flows, everyone's dead way before it even reach them. Now, what really, deeply bothers me in this episode is the mcguffin sword. They needed it to release the water hold by the dam. How and why ? I mean, they can just broke the damn dam without it and have exactly the same result. They simply don't need the sword to accomplish that.

[@zealousdoggo]

I guess bombs won't be invented for another *looks at watch* 3 months

[@educationalporpoises9592]

Nobody except Adar knew it would do that. Had he told anyone the efforts to get it or resist him would have been much stronger. It makes sense to have the key if the goal is to control a people, which was stated in a prior episode.

[@siriuscrane7]

I see it as a sort of giant spell being cast. Breaking the dam an releasing the water would have caused the eruption, but after a while it would have been safe to return and repopulate the area. Mount Doom stays on fire for thousands of years, and the darkness never leaves. The sword is a blade of Morgoth that needs a blood sacrifice to ignite, I think an evil object like that starting the eruption is what makes the creation of Mordor possible.

[@deut]

@@siriuscrane7 yeah you could see things happening in the water that seemed a bit magical :)

[@Bonphomet]

I agree even as I was watching it I was thinking so what would have happened with this magic sword and preordained ancient spill way if they hadn't dug an elaborate tunnel system. and why would someone make a magic sword just to open a dam spillway that's pretty overcomplicated. to some extent i get needing to have a bit of suspension of disbelief to enjoy shows but this was asking a lot imo

[@treyowen9213]

I love watching Sauron’s work come to fruition.

[@kirandeepchakraborty7921]

Loved the Breakdown. Best episode so far.

[@abdulmismail]

15:05 My take on Halbrand is he is not Sauron. But, as King of the Southlands, he will end up being turned into one of the "lesser" Nazgul - which would be acceptable to me because if I'm correct, the origins of at least 4 of the Nazgul are not known so as much as I'm critical of this show, I'll let that one slide if he does get turned. From a purely TV-show thing, for those who don't follow Tolkein's world, it will be a "Anakin-the-good-guy-ends-up-as-Darth-Vader" moment.

[@johnnymatheis1018]

That would be the best result here, that he would be a future Nazgul. It's pretty much sure that he doesn't turns out to be the dead king under the mountain, because he would have to have a longer lifetime than explained to be cursed by Isildur for not helping in the big war, and it would be ridiculous for him to be Sauron. That would indeed be kindergarten writing to make him Sauron. There would be no explanation for the other people on the raft, and even less motivation for his actions, although he and Galadriel have had no motivation for anything they do any way in this story. He is given too much screen time and too much story line to not be included in any back stroy telling from LOTR, I think, so he probably becomes something, and logically, that would be a Nazgul. If the writers have any sense at all, they'll agree with you and do just that.

[@beetlebob4675]

@@johnnymatheis1018 While i would enjoy that, i would also enjoy Halbrand being Sauron. It might be "kindergarten writing" as you eloquently put it, but I've been following along with my copy of the Silmarillion and I've been having a lot of fun looking for clues and making inferences. I definitely think Theo will be one of the 9 kings. His mum just became the leader. Halbrand being one of the 9 makes sense, too, and I'd love to see a more imposing version of Sauron. But so far, Halbrand is hitting all the important beats of Sauron's journey during this time in this area, and we know they've already adjusted the timeline to put all these players on the map. Basic plot beats aside, i am happy with what they're doing, and I'll be happy either way it goes. I'd just be super extra happy if we are right about Halbrand lol. ♥

[@abdulmismail]

@Primvs Rex The fact that some of the show's senior staff were responsible for the awful script writing on Game of Thrones Season 6, 7 and 8, I should have known better. I honestly didn't think Halbrand would be Sauron given that in the books, Sauron 'masked himself' as an Elf called Anatar but the Elves only discovered the treachery *only after* Sauron made the One Ring. So, Anatar didn't work with Celebrimbor for one epsiode. It took years. F*ck, I hate this show.

[@whistlenaway3660]

The Galadriel portrayed in the show reminds me of the dark side of her we glimpse when Frodo offers her the one ring. She talks about how the ring would change her and she passes the test of the rings power and says something about being able to pass into the west and diminish I think. Anyway, somehow that makes sense to me that we are seeing a side of her for a bit before her character arc into wisdom.

[@lulululu8045]

Hey now you stop right there! She is only over 2000 years old!!!! She has no life experience and can behave like a spoiled brat all she wants! /s

[@sanxulian7714]

This actually Makes sense

[@markfaylor]

JP?

[@Boywithmeese]

This is exactly what I was thinking. She has wants and desires, and there must have been some amount of wisdom she gained in her long life that brought her to the mind of Galadriel in the 3rd age. Sometimes she's a tiny tiny bit overly dramatic in her silent expressions (if that makes sense) but I feel like she definitely will be growing through the series, especially when Adar called her Uruk. I was like, "Damn. Got her." Haha

[@nanoglitch6693]

Yeah, I felt like it was building on that aspect also. People commenting on another channel were all on a conspiracy that this "Galadriel" is actually Sauron in disguise lol 🤣

[@justafidemyself]

Since the creators said Sauron wouldn't show up in season 1 in any shape or form besides the prologue, I'm certain Halbrand is one of the Nazgul, possibly the witch King. Especially since he is now a King.

[@danzafrir2900]

When did the creators say this?

[@Darduel]

I feel the same

[@LydiotGamingTV]

Who cares about Sauron? If they would have said Annatar isn't gonna show up, that's a statement you can work with. Don't let yourself get fooled by Hollywood speech for set up interviews for which they craft answers days ahead. They know very well what to say and what not. Witch-King would only make sense IF he was Numenorean. Black Numenorean at that.

[@precoius]

I second that question. When did the creators say this? We need answers!

[@precoius]

Alright, I Googled it. Turns out the “no Sauron in the first season” thing was a rumor. That same rumor reported that their would be “sexless nudity,” which obviously isn’t going to happen. So we can’t trust that source. That said, we obviously haven’t met Sauron yet. He might still show up in the final episodes, but he hasn’t yet.

[@bubbarata-hemopo8550]

And I remember in the book Sauron sails to Numenor too. He was looking to do smithy work to learn!

[@jockyoung4491]

But he went to Numenor as himself.

[@bubbarata-hemopo8550]

@@jockyoung4491 i suppose for theatrical suspense they've hidden Halbrands true identity.

[@kenparsons7686]

Sauron was taken to Númenor as a prisoner by Ar-Pharazon in the book… quite a massive departure from the lore (far more than we’ve already seen) to have him rescue Galadriel at sea, and then in turn be rescued by Elendil and taken to Westernesse. Will be interesting to find out.

[@Co-1475]

Yeah as a geology major the water and orodruin scene is actually incredibly accurate in my understanding!

[@thomabow8949]

It's called a phreatomagmatic eruption - I grinded some people's gears on the watch party video who were freaking out over this being possible lol

[@stuartwesthall]

Put me in mind of the Krakatoa eruption - hundreds of thousands of tons of water abruptly pouring into an underground magma chamber equals... Well, what we just saw.

[@deut]

@@arthurballs9632 are you part of the show? :)

[@mikem9001]

Sure, but with no relevance to what Tolkien wrote at all. What they are trying to show is something that occurred 1800 years later. When Sauron forged the One Ring, he did it in secret. He did it deep within Mt Doom. There was volcanic activity, but no great explosion - that was the opposite of what he wanted.

[@feconisb.3067]

@@mikem9001 if you paid attention you'd know that Mount Doom's eruption is not Sauron's plan in the show either. It's Adar's who wants to create a county for his children to live in.

[@imogencory9591]

I still agree with what I said last week. “My theory is that Sauron is already at work with Celebtimbor as Annatar and that is why we still haven’t seen or been confirmed a Sauron. I think the moment Annatar comes into it everything will make sense and we’ll even have a more definite time line.” It’s still plausible.

[@dannyj2571]

I hope you're right

[@politedog4959]

Yo i think the showrunners are playing 5d chess on us. Were all like "who is Sauron? He must be one of the characters we knew from the start but didnt suspect" meanwhile we havent even met him yet and theyre gonna introduce him amongst several other seemingly unimportant side characters somwhere in the middle of season 2

[@mikem9001]

@@politedog4959 "Yo i think the showrunners are playing 5d chess on us." Nope, they are desperately trying to catch up with the rest of us, who actually know something about the topic. The show is abysmally bad, and already full of inconsistencies with the source material.

[@politedog4959]

@@mikem9001 tell me who Sauron is in the show then, if youve got it all figured out

[@ahmadqazi2648]

@@mikem9001 Dude you are replying to every comment and crying 🤣... Don't you have anything better to do? A job? Every comment of yours is complaining to every comment.

[@mobollo]

i feel like when nori and the stranger looked into each others eyes and the whole scene went wild in ep 2 it meant something

[@freezer6923]

I swear to god Gandalf mention the name Udun when confronting the Balrog of Moria....Something like "The fire will not avail you, flame of udun"

[@RealAndySkibba]

Have been eagerly awaiting this the whole day!

[@joshuahernandez8862]

Same

[@Bacuda09]

Not the same. Show sucks

[@RealAndySkibba]

@@Bacuda09 nobody is forcing you to watch

[@Bacuda09]

@@RealAndySkibba since you so easily amused. I can jingle some keys in front of you 😆

[@RealAndySkibba]

@@Bacuda09 that's my 2nd favorite thing to watch.

[@RenegadeLK]

All the heavy hints convinced me that Halbrand is a misdirect. I reckon we've not seen Sauron yet, he's somewhere in Lindon, influencing Gil-galad and making him believe he needs to get the mithril to save the elves. Sauron can then use the mithril to make the rings.

[@naders5]

That's a bizarre theory where did you get that from lol

[@BaneRain]

Waldreg is Sauron

[@dacianastilean-styles3895]

@@BaneRain lol

[@Axl124124]

lol they might not seem heavy to the showrunners, the misdirects. They might think they are being clever and want people to speculate. I think it would be a real shame if we see so little of sauron for a show built on sauron getting rings of power built. I think it will be Halbrand.

[@LydiotGamingTV]

Why are people still arguing about this? This got ALL leaked weeks ago. The whole plot of the first season. And so far everything they leaked turned out true, only far worse than it sounded. That the sword hilt started a volcano has been known for weeks but that it would be set up this badly is another cancer for my eyes. Halbrand IS Sauron.

[@zeefurbs]

"The magic mithrilchlorians" - that was perfect

[@user-lb8do4ew6k]

If we're lucky they all die in the pyroclastic flow.

[@stke8593]

Orcs should’ve set the building on fire. Ez

[@user-lb8do4ew6k]

@@stke8593 Bronwen could have just pushed the orc with the torch into the cart too. No muss, no fuss.

[@marcosantoro7465]

This episode would have been a good occasion to have Galadriel use her power more, to protect some of the villagers from the eruption. She should be able to do a thing like that, and it would explain how she stayed alive after that. But the horse whisper was a good little particular.

[@rustyshield]

..horse haste spell.😅

[@AnnaBenIsrael]

Maybe she needed a ring that wasn't made yet

[@marcosantoro7465]

@@AnnaBenIsrael the ring only enhanced her power

[@mikem9001]

@@marcosantoro7465 Good point. For 1500 years after Galadriel received her ring, she never used it. Sauron was wearing the One Ring, which meant as soon as she put on Nenya, he would know everything she did. So, no ring for that time. Yet during this period she dwelt in Lorien and held off the forces of Dol-Guldur. Clearly she had great powers of her own that were not dependent on any ring!

[@larrym2434]

@AFTER MOVIE good bot

[@kevinbahr5954]

“Ok, we’re going to build a dam that will release this lake into a volcano.” “No problem, so we get a big crane or something to open the gate and release the water?” “No, build in a complicated contraption that lets a single person turn a key to open it.” “Uhh, why?” “Reasons. Also, make the key be a sword.” “Why does the key need to be a sword?” “Well, not just a regular sword, this is a magic sword that appears to be broken until you bleed on it.” “This seems needlessly complicated.” “Good point. Let’s also build a statue of the sword in the keyhole so there’s no confusion.”

[@annika_fantasy]

Every time you say "and Debbie", it makes me laugh for some reason 😂

[@marvyeap]

Did anyone notice the sword that Adar had with him when he entered the tavern? The hilt of the sword made it looks like the swords that Galadriel’s brother and other elves drew (standing in a circle during the first episode) before they went to fight Morgoth. Could Adar be related to any of those elves?

[@sammygamgee9224]

The elves making a circle with theirs swords are probably the sevens sons of flea or making their oath, but they don’t have the rights to the Silmarillion that’s why we see elrond.

[@nitzky8936]

good catch, but Adar should be much older than sons of Feanor, who were born when Noldors resided in Valinor. Meanwhile Adar must have been among the elves taken by Morgoth at the lake of Kuivinen, right after Illuvatar allowed the elves to wake up.

[@tingotalango5473]

@@nitzky8936 you are right, so that "tradition" of elves to plant seeds idea seems very sketchy, unless they began doing it almost the very first day they were born, how is it possible for elves to share it that have almost no history in common...

[@shardperson3777]

@@tingotalango5473 remember that Valar years are not the same as Sun Years, Melkor did not kidnap the Elves the moment they woke up, it took time, and a single Valar year is a few hundred solar years, the Years of the Trees alone account for something like 30000 solar years, there would have been plenty of time for the elves to develop traditions before Melkor kidnapped them

[@gregschwandtner8142]

Indeed, I noticed it too, that sword then goes to Galadriel as we see in the shot where she's about to be hit by the smoke and fire.