RINGS OF POWER Season 2 Episode 1-3 Breakdown: Every LOTR EASTER EGG + Sauron Origin EXPLAINED

[@ScreenCrush]

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[@acedobleace]

Stranger said when you hear your name spoken you feel your heart glow, Halflings talked about the "gand" infront of the stranger but he didnt feel a thing. So this strengthens my theory that he's not Gand-alf, the stranger is Saruman, although if he's indeed Gandalf he probably is using the name Mithrandir. But I like my theory better, we need to see the good Saruman that Gandalf looked up to.

[@calebseliga3827]

14:47 wait wait wait I caught ya again Ryan Arey @ScreenCrush ! Khazad-Dum becomes Moria not Mordor

[@neverlistentome]

* A frodo cannot leave a sam behind. (Technically)

[@randyeorr]

boycotting Mando for sponsoring your shill content

[@benl3738]

This is the way?

[@darthvader906]

There's a really awesome detail in episode 1: when the black sauron goo reaches the bottom of the cave, the camera pulls back; look at the stalagmites and stalactites. They are super short and barely developed. After the fade to black, we see the cave again and the stalagmites and stalactites are much much bigger showing that hundreds if not thousands of years have gone by. I thought it was one of the coolest small details in the show.

[@JayBUDZ9333]

Good catch 👏

[@KingKhan20000]

This isnt awesome though. They should have made it obvious, otherwise a person could believe Sauron fixed himself really quickly. We should of been told how long it took. It also begs the question as to what Adar was doing this whole time.

[@tlotr25]

​@@KingKhan20000yap, everyone I talk to in the film industry says this show has the worst writing.

[@Huckle_Billy]

​@KingKhan20000 so do your parents still spoon feed you?

[@KingKhan20000]

@@Huckle_Billy Such a grown up argument, you clown. I like the second season so far, but the writing here coudl of been better.

[@milessanders5050]

Sorry but Gandalfs real name is Olorin. Mithrandir is the name given to him by the elves.

[@PeterOlson]

I hope someone got fired for this blunder.

[@phatch5444]

🤓

[@Yenowine]

@19:32 “Fram and Sodo” . Tongue Twister got ya. Happens to the best of us from time to time. You produce so much informational content, I’ll allow it. Thanks for your work.

[@bonginkosi.h2607]

I liked how the time period when sauron was in cave was depicted using the stiagmite and stilagtite rock growth.

[@KozMc]

Such a brilliant breakdown - thank you! I especially love your examples of how the setup in season one is now paying off so early and profoundly in season two. The storyline I dig the most is how Sauron is so subtly and carefully nudging everyone, never lying, always choosing his words with such strategy, and so many of them lapse into individualism and greed, and that's enough for him to achieve his goals (which ... are kinda noble, aspirational, but marred and too proud). Cerebrimbor's own character arc in these three episodes is so resonant of Mairon/Sauron's own experiences, frustrations and self-belief of his smith-based struggle for power and identity and independence while he was in Valinor, with Morgoth - again, noble aims, aspirational, but too proud. They've made Sauron such a great villain in this - he is so sympathetic, but so sadly perverted by his experiences and former treatment and bad choices. Please keep up the coverage - I really enjoyed all of season one, and am loving season two - there's such toxicity out there about the show, but as a Tolkien fanatic, I am eating this up and want thirds and fourth servings, thanks!

[@redbarchetta8782]

10:00 "J.R.R. Tolkien said that the Blue Wizards (Alatar and Pallando, or Morinehtar and Rómestámo) came much earlier in the Second Age." And, they went to Rhun. They did not come over with Gandalf. "The two Wizards were sent to Middle-earth at roughly the same time as Glorfindel in c. S.A. 1600 (and similarly at the behest of the Valar), the Year of Dread, when Sauron forged The One Ring and completed the building of Barad-dûr."

[@anni.68]

Yeah, but he also wrote: „That Olórin [Gandalf], as was possible for one of the Maiar, had already visited Middle-earth and had become acquainted not only with the Sindarin Elves and others deeper in Middle-earth, but also with Men, is likely, but nothing is (has yet been) said of this.“ (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Peoples of Middle-earth - Part 2, Chapter XIII, "Last Writings, p.381")

[@Madmij]

To be fair to both of you Tolkien did have a habit of just going back and changing things

[@KingHador]

​@@Madmij But hopefully it's not Gandalf

[@jonahferguson5965]

@@redbarchetta8782 I really hope it's the Blue Wizards and not Gandalf (which would feel way too fan servicey)

[@Shoelessjoe78]

​@@jonahferguson5965that's what this mess is... $ grab with a little fan service reach around

[@ColonelStan]

Sauron got Ceasar'd.

[@dagnirglaurunga1620]

Lol you nailed it!

[@chrisbrennan7222]

Lol I said the same thing

[@malalford]

It won't be the last time.

[@NeumannKlaus]

they made a salad in his name?

[@jomeugene8492]

He was dressed well.

[@PabloAlvestegui]

Celebrimbor was not only Fëanor's apprentice, he was Fëanor's grandson.

[@foxykc]

Isn't Galadriel Feanor's niece?

[@talesyuki]

@@foxykc yeahp

[@chefraymond07]

Thank you! I was about to write this same words 🤣

[@PabloAlvestegui]

Yes, @@foxykc, she is.

[@Sarah.R.R]

@@foxykc Regarding Galadriel. Half-niece. Feanor's brothers (+ sisters depending on which version of tale) are only half-siblings due to having different mothers. Feanor (1st son) = Miriel. Fingolfin (2nd son) and Finarfin (3rd son) via Indis. I can't recall if Galadriel (Daughter of the 3rd son of Finwe) was older than Celebrimbor (Feanor's fifth son's son).

[@Oth3rwiseKnown]

I swear Ryan mispronounces EVERY well known name for engagement

[@reillydougherty2166]

Yeah it’s getting pathetic

[@TheBenstew]

Adar isn't even a character in any book, so how does he mispronounce it?

[@NeumannKlaus]

@@TheBenstew A-Darrr, not eadaw

[@jordanslotter]

Saron, A ron DIR,

[@zyzxxinfinity]

As a linguist, kindly, get over it. There is no “mispronunciation” when you consider the broad array of linguistic sounds we produce. You know who he is talking about, and that’s all that matters. Tolkien, too, was a linguist.

[@leostvincent8430]

Sauron is absolutely manipulating and lying to everyone. Seeing him use his physical form - allowing men to break it, starve it, see in it what they want; using it to imitate empathy, appear vulnerable, and gain favor by building false relationships - has been the highlight of the show for me

[@YearsinSeason]

The word “gift” in German means poison. It wouldn’t surprise me if Tolkien implied this as well especially when it comes from Sauron.

[@MattiasFlodin]

That's a cool observation. Both words have the same etymological root and means "something given", but they've diverged into something positive vs something negative in English and Germanic languages.

[@joshuaeason3426]

Gandalf's death wasn't "fake." he died and was sent back stronger by the Valar so he could make sure the task was complete.

[@sssnacksss]

they just mean audience fake-outs….a common trope

[@joshuaeason3426]

@sssnacksss my point exactly. He was referencing death fake outs, mentioned Gandalf as one of them, and technically speaking, his death wasn't fake like the other ones. It was temporary.

[@blairhoughton7918]

​@@joshuaeason3426But the audience thought he died. That's all the trope is about.

[@joshuaeason3426]

@blairhoughton7918 the audience didn't THINK he died. He DID die and he was brought back by the Valar.

[@blairhoughton7918]

@@joshuaeason3426 Still a fake death as far as story is concerned.

[@ronniesimnicht7551]

"I'm calling bullshit". Seriously Ryan that is the first time I have laughed out loud by myself in a long time. Totally caught me off guard that was hilarious

[@gammakap]

Khazad dum didn’t become Mordor, it became Moria.

[@blairhoughton7918]

There was an asterisk there.

[@mithrandyr-b8y]

with this series/garbage, anything can be anything lol

[@Stardiplomaticincident]

@@mithrandyr-b8yin what way is it bad may I ask?

[@CharityTia]

Seriously 😢 you're loving this??​@@Stardiplomaticincident

[@Stardiplomaticincident]

@@CharityTia I’m not going to try and argue with you if you don’t like it, but yes I do enjoy it

[@stevenfarrell1794]

The “your mom” gets me every time without fail!!!!! Keep up the amazing work 🙌🏼

[@ScreenCrush]

What did you think of the start of Rings of Power season 2?

[@misterhoobomaster]

So far it's already better than S1 since it's no longer about a mystery box (atleast with Sauron) and it actually follows ACTUAL book stuff.

[@mementomorimausoleums8506]

I can't stand Earien, but I never like their invented characters.

[@Burritobandits]

@@mementomorimausoleums8506yea she’s starting to get old very fast

[@HunterVukelich]

I can’t wait to meet the ring wraiths

[@Clairejart]

I absolutely loved it!

[@cacogenicist]

No, the Blue Wizards did not come over "with Gandalf." They came in the Second Age. Olórin (Mithrandir/Gandalf) came in the Third.

[@JusShane]

Wrong!!

[@cacogenicist]

@@JusShane Tolkien's latest writing on the Blue Wizards: _The 'other two' came much earlier, at the same time probably as Glorfindel, when matters became very dangerous in the Second Age. Glorfindel was sent to aid Elrond and was (though not yet said) pre-eminent in the war in Eriador. But the other two Istari were sent for a different purpose. Morinehtar and Romestamo - Darkness-slayer and East-helper. Their task was to circumvent Sauron: to bring help to the few tribes of Men that had rebelled from Melkor-worship, to stir-up rebellion ... and after his first fall to search out his hiding (in which they failed) and to cause dissension and disarray among the dark East ... They must have had very great influence on the history of the _*_Second Age_*_ and Third Age in weakening and disarraying the forces of the East ... who would both in the Second and Third Age otherwise have outnumbered the West._

[@anni.68]

„That Olórin, as was possible for one of the Maiar, had already visited Middle-earth and had become acquainted not only with the Sindarin Elves and others deeper in Middle-earth, but also with Men, is likely, but nothing is (has yet been) said of this.“ (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Peoples of Middle-earth - Part 2, Chapter XIII, "Last Writings, p.381")

[@freja9398]

Obviously Gandalf (i.e. the "Stranger") could have visited in the Second Age, this is likely what we see now. Then he could have returned to Valinor to later come back in the Third Age through the Grey Havens.

[@allenmusic9]

The “your mom” gets me 60% of the time every time 😂

[@Khanviewss]

Bruhhhh I thought my mind was hearing voices when I heard that. Thought I was the only one

[@cgrice1971]

19:32 I love Fram and Sodo! lol

[@A_Certain_Point_of_View]

Missed this one till I saw your comment 😂

[@KozMc]

Malapropisms rule! I do them myself, inadvertently of course, but it's so cool to hear them in the wild. My fave I've ever dropped has been "Sheets and Kelly" (for Romantic poets Keats and Shelley) 😂

[@SRDuly2010]

Those are Spoonerisms 😊

[@thereal_rebel1493]

The Blue Wizards came in the Second Age. Also Sauron doesn’t want to use the Ring to get people to kill themselves but to control them and unite them under his will so they do what he wants.

[@Semo19999]

The baby orc made my day ❤

[@jimmybryant2187]

I’m studying religion in school and it’s made the LOTR middle earth world so much more enjoyable. JJ T was a very religious man and it’s just a beautiful metaphor of good vs. evil.

[@ramzyblanch1683]

Incredible biblical allegory of how sin corrupts. Tasty at first but leads to death. Never give the devil a foothold.

[@Mark_Williams.]

11:12 - Yeah this took me by surprise as well and was a really nice touch. It's a great song by itself, but the fact it was thought about this far ahead when making it, is genious levels of film making.

[@brigidann23]

Did anyone else notice that Flashback Sauron had big Michael Sheen energy?😂

[@violetnight0212]

Really enjoyed your video. Big Tolkien nerd here...I liked how you filled in the lore with the new season and I, like you don't mind them taking liberty with timelines for the sake of the story. It def. helps a person watching to follow the characters. So far, epi. 1 of season 2 was very watchable, and even drew me in. Didn't feel that way about season one. Here's hoping.

[@the_neej]

Two things: the Valar didn’t create the Maiar, Eru did. They are all Ainur. The Maiar are just less powerful. Also, HOW DID YOU SKIP THE LOTD OF WEREWOLVES CALLBACK?!

[@thomasskywalker8893]

Gand if old English for wand…. “Gand Alf” is old English for “wand elf”

[@Tan4223]

You missed the easter egg that Narya brought back color to Cirdan’s hair, made him look younger, and probably inspired him to shave his beard to appear even younger (even though as an ancient and wise elf in the third cycle of his elven life he shouldn’t care for such vanity).

[@HunterVukelich]

But why didn’t it do that to Gandalf? Cause he wasn’t mortal? Makes sense

[@Tan4223]

@@HunterVukelich afaik as a Maia Gandalf doesn’t age (I guess he could allow his physical form/body to age if he wanted to). He just always appears to be an older bearded man in his 60s-70s throughout his time on Middle-earth (because that’s what he chooses, or chose when he originally sailed to Middle-earth from Valinor). Elves do age physically even though they are practically immortal. They are born as babies, mature into adulthood that lasts for ages, and finally when they’re ancient enough they become visibly physically more older looking and male elves can grow beards like Cirdan.

[@malalford]

But Elves don't crack

[@anni.68]

@@malalford In The Return of the King Cirdan is described as looking very old.

[@talesyuki]

@@anni.68 He is by far the oldest elf we see in the whole trilogy, right? Hell, he's one of the oldest elves at all, but never been to Valinor. Makes sense.

[@Red_Oliver]

32:48 Isn't this the moment that Sauron puts a piece of his soul into the forging of the rings? That's why the one ring controls all the rings, because all but the elven rings have a sliver of his soul connecting them with the One ring have the majority of it.

[@PokeGrillz]

Naw no influence or effect on the elven rings. Just the dwarf and men ones i believe.

[@Red_Oliver]

@@PokeGrillz Ya, that was the scene where he was forging the rings of Men and Dwarves, so that was the first time he put a sliver of his essence into the forging.

[@EccleezyAvicii]

The 3 rings of the Elfs are connected to him. The elves are just strong enough to resist him, thus able to leverage the rings power. The elf ring symbolize Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding. The intellect part of the soul. The Dwarves are bit more resilient, but not entirely. Their seven represent the Emotional aspects of the soul, ie the seven lower Sephirot or the Hebdomad.

[@Red_Oliver]

@@EccleezyAvicii Yes, we all agree and know that, but the Elven rings DO NOT have a sliver of his soul in them unlike the other rings, the ones made for Dwarves and Men, this scene is the first time he actually takes part in the direct forging of the rings. When he takes the Mithril that will forge the rings is the first time he puts a part of himself into the rings. It's a pretty big thing I'm surprised they didn't mention.

[@EccleezyAvicii]

@@Red_Oliver when the one ring is destroyed by Frodo/Sam/Golumn the three Elvin rings loose the powers they have. That is why the Elves finally do have to return entirely after the events of the LotR. Once the fellowship of the Ring starts its journey, the Elves in mass start sending back their people because they know their Trees will no longer be sustained. If that was proof enough, the whole plot line of the elf tension is about power. The ring wearers see visions of Halbran/Sauron. What it really comes down to ultimately is nature of power, not necessarily evil. Evil is a choice, or as it was put in the show actions. A person can be drunk or insufferable, but their actions (and by extension their intention) ultimately determine how they should be judged. Melkor/Sauron are both, at the end of the day, a part of the one creation (song), ergo their Being or essence, isn’t intrinsically Good or Evil. Melkor and by extension Sauron are both invested with huge stores of power.

[@darthrage2002]

I love how we saw some of the female dwarves with beards. It reminded me of the conversation between Gimli, Eowyn and Aragorn in the two towers

[@nonamename4367]

yea they should’ve saved the orc baby scene or introduced it differently

[@rubenballesteros-so2zi]

Sure looked like at the end of episode 3 that when Celebrimbor handed the mithril nugget to Sauron/Annatar to cast into the forge, he palmed it and did the old switcheroo.

[@adarshtailor3640]

Definitely looked like that

[@cassieo]

What did he switch it to, though? If mithril is needed, where did Sauron obtain substitution/tampered mithril?

[@rubenballesteros-so2zi]

@@cassieo Whatever it was, it did the 7 Dwarf lords no good.

[@BeefyTacoCS]

He didnt switch anything because he doesn't have access to mithril. What he did was put his energy/essence/malice into the ore and had it spread throughout the other rings. When he finally creates the One Ring, he puts the rest of himself into the object which then connects all others to him (save for the elven rings due to him not being able to manipulate the ore before they were made).

[@__Oku__]

Arondir's stunts were *not* CGI btw. They used wires. You can see it in the bts footage.

[@bellabluesteinpatchin9439]

Pst, Gandalf’s real name, original name, is Olorin.

[@RPCelebria]

omg thank you I was looking for this before commenting. Mithrandir is his elvish name it means Grey Wanderer. Olorin was the name given to him and he was (I think I could be wrong) the only Maiar created by Eru Ilúvatar as the rest were created by the Valar instead.

[@Crovea]

@@RPCelebria Olorin was also given to him by the Elves (the noldor), neither could probably be considered his "true" name

[@michaelasato4709]

That guy was chopping at the tree. Then you see the ax drop to the ground. Didn't show what happened to the that guy. Then theo is captured by by the Ents. The Ents are just protecting the forest.

[@jackandre2435]

Sauron is the great deceiver. If you think they’re hero worshipping, you’ve also fallen under his spell 😈

[@ader701220]

I don't understand.... Galadriel is like the grand-grand-aunt for both Gil-galad and Elrond, why those bros act like she is the younger one?

[@AliciatheCho]

Probably because she acts like it

[@pivson1634]

@@AliciatheCho Probably because screenwriters are .

[@mithrandyr-b8y]

@@pivson1634 accurate answer

[@oliviagallagher03]

Also when celebrimor says “what business is it of his how i conduct myself in my own realm” it’s a direct call back to when bilbo says “what business is it of yours what I do with my own things” to Gandalf in FOTR-further cementing Sauron’s influence. It’s clever how they’re weaving in quotes from the earlier movies/books into this series.

[@miggs8]

Celebrimbor is giving off Dark Bilbo vibes. Bro is obsessed

[@blairhoughton7918]

Bilbo only ever had one ring. This dude has held three and is making 18 more...

[@beanndip]

My god... Scrolling thru KZbin at other rings of power content and it's just a fucking hate fest. Everyone hates rings of power, everyone hates star wars, everyone hates marvel... Fucking christ nerds... Do you want to go back to reality TV? Because this is how you go back to reality TV... Studios are producing nerd TV... Fucking appreciate it, show the studios/actors/writers/content producers some love and that way they will keep making nerd TV. Thank you screencrush for being what appears to be the ONLY positive ROP content on KZbin.

[@Clairejart]

I spend so much time clicking “not interested in this channel” on the professional hater channels. I don’t need their bad vibes when I’m enjoying a show!

[@blairhoughton7918]

I don't know if they're stupid or just rage baiting. Either way, they're not smart.

[@edkwon]

​@@blairhoughton7918most rage baiting because that is the easy lazy way to generate more view traffic to their YT channels, it's much harder work to get attention with thoughtful balanced content

[@edkwon]

​@@blairhoughton7918same reason why mainstream news media plays the same game when it comes to reporting politics, some outlets will latch onto low hanging fruit to increase their viewership

[@blairhoughton7918]

@@edkwon people who complain about "mainstream media" are looking back from the abyss and criticizing the ceiling tile

[@Ddawg4207]

I absolutely love this show. It’s so disappointing lately everything getting cancelled I’m glad I can enjoy this show.

[@pivson1634]

Did you read the books?

[@Ddawg4207]

@@pivson1634 Most certainly did I’m currently listening to Andy serkis read the silmarillion. Ive read this 2 times myself years back so decided to treat myself to the audio by serkis it’s amazing by the way highly recommend the lord of the rings by Andy serkis in my opinion it’s the best audiobook out there.

[@pivson1634]

@@Ddawg4207 Ok, then I don't understand, why you like this show.

[@Ddawg4207]

@@pivson1634 You don’t have to understand. I have my own opinion I don’t follow hatful trends. If you didn’t like the show fair enough. I really enjoyed every minute of the show it’s unbelievable how they can make things look this way on screen and I enjoy the story line very much I think it was an amazing show just like many other.

[@thoso1973]

With now two wizards in the East, it looks to me that they must be the blue wizards. Not Gandalf and certainly not Saruman.

[@HumanIsMeself]

Really enjoying season 2!

[@Arhatu]

Thank you for the video I got bored and couldn't watch the whole show to see easter eggs.

[@OldKnightAMV]

I came for the comments, and left validated.

[@LurkingLeviathan]

The moment dreams from my childhood I had forgotten about reawakened, the lore I obsess over in my adult life. That scene of Sauron regenerating and eventually eating that person to become haldbrand. OHHHH DEAR GODDDDD YESSS THAT FELT SO GOOD!!!! One thing I've always always wanted to see was saurons process of shape-shifting ❤❤❤ I love this show to death 😍 ❤️

[@josephmurphy497]

I love the “heavy spoilers” dig! Lmfao

[@zyzxxinfinity]

0:30 Ryan, if you mispronounce anything, just remember that most linguists (like Tolkien and myself and so many others out there) are not subscribe to prescriptive language but rather descriptive. It’s not about the “right” or “wrong” way to say it. If you are trying with sincerity and you are understood, that’s all that really matters. ♥️

[@stopculture]

Yeah… but let’s not act like there aren’t pronunciations Tolkien himself used that went on to become standard usage within the fan community for decades now. If it was just one or two flubs I wouldn’t whine about it, but this video contains so many bizarre pronunciations you have to question whether or not the narrator is doing it on purpose for engagement.

[@Bodharas]

Thank you screen crush for not joining the hate mob, and pointing out all the great things the show is doing. Can't wait to see what the rest of the season has to offer.

[@davidchaos19]

Yeah the show is doing a great job of bastardization of the lore.

[@Uhtred-the-bold]

Many in the “hate mob” will point out the good things, there’s just not many of them. If the people making the show love Tolkien so much why are they so hell bent on changing everything he wrote?

[@guyvanarsdall7686]

I was afraid this would happen, Colton is becoming self aware😅

[@blairhoughton7918]

And Ryan doesn't even know he's there now.

[@Red_Oliver]

18:12 Not quite. The time that the Blue Wizards arrived in Middle-earth is uncertain. In Unfinished Tales, Tolkien wrote that the five Istari came to Middle-earth together in TA 1000. However, in The Peoples of Middle-earth, they are said to have arrived in the Second Age, around the year SA 1600, the time of the forging of the One Ring. Their mission was directed at weakening Sauron's forces in the eastern and southern parts of Middle-earth, whereas the other Istari were focused on the west. Tolkien also writes in Unfinished Tales that the two Wizards were sent to the East whose names were "Alatar" and "Pallando". Alatar was a Maia of the Vala Oromë who chose him to go to Middle-earth. Alatar asked his friend Pallando to join him on his mission. The name Alatar probably means "after-comer", as he was one of the original two Maiar to be chosen to become Wizards and follow Sauron to Middle-earth. Tolkien specified that neither Alatar nor Pallando had a name in the west of Middle-earth, unlike the other Wizards. Later in his life, Tolkien wrote a note suggesting that the names of the Blue Wizards were Morinehtar and Rómestámo. It is not clear whether these names were intended to replace the names Alatar and Pallando, or whether Morinehtar and Rómestámo were alternate names for the Blue Wizards, possibly those given to them by the peoples of Middle-earth.[5] The name "Morinehtar" means "darkness-slayer." The name "Rómestámo" means "East-helper," from the Quenya word romen, meaning uprising, sunrise, east. I think it's way more likely that these are the two Blue Wizards who arrived in the 2nd age. One arrived first and his friend came after, this seems to be what is set up here, just with the added plot that the first Blue Wizard probably also forgot who he was and why he was there and won't remember until he directly encounters his friend, the Stranger.

[@BehraamK4]

Sauron/Halbrand scene with Cirdan reminded me of Tom Riddle (Voldemort) conversation with Professor Sluhorn regarding Horcrux’s 🤯😳 like.. cmon I know it’s not word for word or same context but the whole vibe as well .. brilliant

[@newportbnb]

I saw a video on how the wizards were sent during first age to aid against morgoth war. They were young and fair and had all their Mair powers at full strength. But because of this great powers, people looked on them as leaders or to be feared so when they were sent back a second time, they were made to be old men and frail and not nearly the power levels as before in hopes to guide the free peoples not to lead them. And get the free peoples to fight their own battles so they decide their own fates. This is supposedly why cirdan immediately gave Gandalf the ring of power when he was fresh off the boat. It’s because cirdan had met Gandalf thousands of years before and knew and trusted him with this powerful ring.

[@dandiscusses]

Fram and Sodo had me creasing 😂

[@jackandre2435]

I think Sauron is subtly causing the destruction of Khaza Dhum. Gilgalad says he saw mountains crumbling, I think he’s referencing that 🙏

[@fruitloopdingis]

don't forget about that little Balrog that was awakened at the end of S1 "the dwarves delved too greedily and too deep"

[@H3llf1re33]

@@fruitloopdingis Except the dwarves didn't delve too greedily or too deep, at least not in ROP. They literally threw a leaf down a hole that landed near the Balrog and somehow awoke it... It is absolutely stupid. Overall, I do believe your assessment is correct in that the Balrog is what's causing the issues

[@tmille777]

​@@H3llf1re33weren't they mining for extra mithril to help the elf's before the balrog awoke? Maybe that's the "greedy" and "deep" part

[@zStC1]

​@@tmille777no they weren't.

[@pivson1634]

Well so the series wil have much more timeline, because Moria was destroyed in TA 1981, almost 4000 years after crafting of Rings of Power.

[@Baylan_Skoll_]

I wasn't the biggest fan of season 1, but the 3 episodes so far are actually pretty solid and I've enjoyed watching them so far.

[@davidarmstrong3964]

The stranger better be one of the blue wizards.

[@jasonfraser701]

Mithrander was his name from the elves. Orolin was his name in his youth in the forgotten west.

[@exhalemeditation9767]

Saurons essence seeping through the cracks is craaaaaaaazy

[@mjc84]

I like how they're using familiar lines to help lead your mind... Like Celebrimbor saying the "what business of his..." line is just like Bilbo saying it to Gandalf about the one ring.

[@COOLKALE91]

Really appreciate the breaks in episodes. Also, outstanding intro hahaha

[@bryanporras7028]

It's official, Doug is a Cowboys fan! Let's Go Cowboys! 🍻🍻

[@raymundodelacruz5173]

This is beautiful! The costumes and sets are perfect! A little dialog heavy but that action is going to hit hard!

[@Fedaygin]

5:15 He's a good actor i remember him from many roles. I hope gets another character appearance in future seasons 🙂 [Middle-Earth fan since -93] 🤞

[@Alpha23TV]

Note that Sauron takes the mithril from Calabrimbor and holds onto it for a second before dropping it into the forge. He clearly corrupts it prior to having the rings forged. Nazanin Boniadi is a hero… surprised they didn’t recast her character. But ok!

[@blairhoughton7918]

It's possible she was meant to die early in this season for dramatic effect but since they couldn't get the actress back, they just decided to accelerate that storyline.

[@Alpha23TV]

@@blairhoughton7918 good point

[@zierrat]

I really like how they handle evil in the rings of power like its writting between the lines. If you think about it the great music of illuvatar was disrupted by morgoth or melkor - so in every beeing even inside the elves! (proven in the first age war where elves fight against elves) Sauron just uses this fact against the world and this masterpiece of written story shows us everyone needs to decide and actively be good there is no pure good and no pure evil - Sauron himself was once a good student of aule the valar of smithing forging and craftsmanship and the creator of the dwarves - Aule himself wanted to hide the dwarves from illuvatar himself after their revealing they where first destroyed by aule in tears and then illuvatar really felt they where born and created by goodwill and heart because he (big maybe from now on headcannon area) feared they could be corrupted. I like the idea that sauron is between good and evil at first and then gets corrupted and uses the craftsman knowledge by aule to try to rule the world - maybe illuvatar was forseeing anything like this and was disaproving to the creation of the dwarves in the first place not seeing sauron would be the connection of the creation of aule

[@rossbooth4635]

I do like Season 2 more so far, but I can't get over how important it is for Sauron's plan that NOBODY tells Celebrimbor that Halbrand was Sauron. It's one of the worst plotholes I've ever seen.

[@chrisbrennan7222]

Is the dark wizard the actor that plays Mance Raider in GoT? Looks pretty similar

[@calebseliga3827]

Yes it is Ciarán Hinds

[@chrisbrennan7222]

@@calebseliga3827 ayy thanks

[@henrietta9206]

seriously gooooood...catch there!

[@biwiki]

Good review. Looking forward to the next ones!

[@kaiden2003]

I’m honestly loving season 2 so far. I hope the show continues to be decent enough to maybe even get a third season. I really think it just needs better footing with the source material.

[@danielpalacios4456]

So close to finally freeing Colton!

[@blairhoughton7918]

Just need to bamboozle the elves and create 20 UHF TV antenna loops.

[@TimothyMarshall88]

I wonder if they showed us the death and rebirth of Sauron, not only to show how he was “killed” many times and can’t really die (not until he binds part of himself to the One Ring anyway)…. ….but also, is it showing that Maia don’t necessarily always resemble the same person? To borrow from Heavy Spoilers…my Theory Time is that this could establish how the Stranger and the Dark Wizard could both be Blue Wizards that “die”, but will be reborn in new forms as Gandalf and Saruman. I don’t think this is supported in the canon at all, but it would allow the Stranger to be an early version of Gandalf who will eventually be reborn with no memory of who he was (which there’s precedent of in the Two Towers).

[@docweidner]

Warcraft 2 sound, I think, is the Alliance Blacksmith building.

[@ttektek]

Yep sure is the sound of the blacksmith being built

[@docweidner]

@ttektek Now, I want to dig out an old XP machine and see if the CD still works.

[@M32Mirach]

Gold mine

[@Daniel-bd9ir]

I love how Sauron was talking to the Dwarves. Clearly talking down to them and being a total arsehole to them. Shows his clear prejudice toward them.

[@blairhoughton7918]

Setting them up. He's the bad cop and Celebrimbor is the good cop.

[@lukesantos7341]

Fram and Sodo made me chuckle. I'll be calling them that on my next watch through in my head haha

[@Shezadiva4]

Really appreciated this breakdown and connection to the source materials. It’s making me enjoy and look forward to what’s to come, especially when so many reviewers have been so negative about it. I did not enjoy season 1, but I’m seeing a stark difference in this season so far.

[@theawesomeman9821]

I'm actually enjoying the current season so far

[@Poki-mon_Kenobi]

@ScreenCrush Guys!! I just cracked it, the “Ghandalf” character is actually sauromon. He is going to do something noble like sacrifice himself and be returned as sauromon the white. I think this would be a great twist because Ghandalf is too obvious and isn’t supposed to show up until the 3rd age. This would give us back story to why sauromon was given his high station 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@BeefyTacoCS]

Your theory doesn't make sense because Sauromon comes to Middle Earth specifically with Gandalf.

[@totallynottrademarked5279]

@@BeefyTacoCS FFS it says in the Silmarillion that the Maiar came to Middle Earth before the third age. Just not under the same forms as they did in the third. They had different names but have no memory of their deeds done when they return to Valinor in their Maiar forms.

[@BeefyTacoCS]

@@totallynottrademarked5279 Those were different people. The ones sent in the Third Age had never been to middle earth before. The ones that were there before were nameless beings used in either the war or during the creation of the world.

[@scottharrop6720]

@@totallynottrademarked5279 We also have to remember that nobody has rights to The Silmarillion, itself. Just the appendices.

[@Poki-mon_Kenobi]

@@BeefyTacoCS well it seems they are taking some liberty with the material, Gandalf isn’t “supposed” to be here at this time. I think, after sauromon dies he goes back to the valheim and then gets sent back with Gandalf with his newly appointed position of sauromon the white during the 3rd age

[@andymatheson82]

Melkor didnt rebel against eru in the war of wrath, that was him fighting with the other valar over the dominon of the world

[@Clairejart]

I am really enjoying this Season. I never read anything beyond the Hobbit and Trilogy so any changes and timeline tweaks are lost on me. I find the story easy to follow and very very engaging.

[@tomwebb2680]

Poppy and Norrie talk to the Stranger about the staff in his ‘dream’ as a “gand”, maybe this is where his name originates from if he is indeed Gandalf.

[@Oth3rwiseKnown]

Gand Elf 🎉

[@imarockinpanda]

Anyone else notice fram and sodo?

[@SamuelPearlman]

Khazad Dum is where Sheridan found the Oldest One, right?

[@syntychiahintsin-tee-shaks2256]

I hit the like button for that Heavy Spoilers and Secret Invasion joke…good stuff. 😂

[@michaeladolph7134]

I Love this Show ...its great. Greetings from Germany

[@robwright8949]

Colton: "And as for me, I've never read a book". We know, Colton, trust us, we know

[@DEVILDOG1776]

i think that spider is shelob because in the original movie when you see close ups it looks like she has a scar around her left eyes. right where isildur stabbed the spider in the show.

[@TheRoosterStudio]

Your silence on the uruk baby is deafening.

[@stopculture]

What is this supposed to mean

[@LeeHardingTV]

Excellent analysis

[@neilf6782]

First easter egg is not correct. The war of wrath was not centuries long but approximately 40 years. It is only one of the five main battles of Beleriand (it is the biggest one of course). Together the centuries long conflict between elves and morgoth is known as the war of the jewels and not wrath (although much of the period up until the 3rd battle known as the Dagor Bracollach or battle of sudden flame was centuries of relative peace known as the seige of Angband)

[@antonislyd]

Nobody talks about the lack of communication between eregion and lindon, the messengers died, sauron returned, rings forging again?

[@mithrandyr-b8y]

to enjoy this series nobody can ask/talk to much....

[@stopculture]

I don’t know what you mean. Gil-Galad sent messengers, and when he didn’t hear back, he sent a squadron of his best fighters to Eregion. What else should he have done?

[@bizimdenge]

Correction: khazad dûm does not be one mordor, it becomes moria.

[@pranavkaushik9964]

I think the dark wizard is Saruman. He's called a curupted Istar which is who Saruman was...Saruman also swore to serve Sauron and his plan was prophesized in the coming episode.

[@maartendew]

Sail away hehehe. Good one!

[@M32Mirach]

"Fram and Sodo" love the double ship names

[@kumceis]

yes! your mom is making a comeback.

[@ddosan4108]

Théo being half elven would be taking big liberties from the Lore. There are only a very few « direct » children of human and elves in the entire history of Arda. And they’re all very big characters.

[@thomasalegredelasoujeole9998]

Celebrimbor is the grandson of Fëanor ;)

[@SinisterN99]

Nori and Poppy talk about The Strangers vision and say something along the lines of: "He's looking for a gand" ...

[@tommytornsten4083]

Actually, the blue wizards arrived earlier, during the 2nd age, and travelled east, which is why I hope all Gandalf hints are red herrings and the Stranger is one of them.

[@scottharrop6720]

The Stranger and the Dark Wizard being the blues makes the most sense. However, there's the Saruman hints with the Dark. Hopefully, it's all for comparison purposes.