Episode 203 | The Rings of Power Season Two Breakdown & Reaction
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Episode 203 Breakdown & Reaction
Please note that this video does contain spoilers!
Return to the Southlands, AKA Mordor
We begin the episode with a flashback of Elendil freeing Berek, who then pursues Isildur into Shelob’s web. There is a very spider-filled scene which ends with Berek and Isildur escaping and fleeing into the woods.
There is a moment of foreshadowing of the dead marshes when Isildur comes across fallen Numenorean soldiers in a bog.
In the woods, Isildur and Berek come across an abandoned cart where they meet Estrid. Their dialogue is very cute, and together they journey towards Pelargir. On the way, they come across a cart with some folks lying around injured. Of course it’s a trap, but Arondir rescues them and they follow him the rest of the way to Pelargir. (Also, Berek is stolen but don’t worry!)
Life in Pelargir
Pelargir is a relic of Numenor’s days past, which is exciting for Isildur to see.
Isildur and Theo go into the woods to rescue Berek, where they are intercepted by an Entwife.
Isildur has an intimate conversation with Estrid, where we learn more about how his mother died and how it affected him. Isildur feels that he wants to do something special enough to earn the sacrifice from his mom. Estrid says he needs to accept it as a gift given freely because he was precious to her, which was a beautiful moment.
It is then revealed, however, that Estrid has previously sworn allegiance to Adar and is trying to cut or burn off her brand… the intrigue!
Theo’s Darkness
The funeral pyre for Bronwyn was surprisingly touching. I didn’t feel strongly about her character in season one, but I think the grief of both Arondir and Theo was enough to make me cry like a baby. The way that Arondir communicates his grief is very subtle but powerful, and I think about the way that death is so foreign to elves.
Theo is extremely bitter, blaming himself for his mother’s death. Arondir tries to advise him that anger towards yourself will destroy you, but Theo responds by telling Arondir that he isn’t his father and they don’t need to speak again.
Political Tension in Númenor
We open with Tar-Palantir’s memorial and quickly learn that all of Numenor blames Miriel for the loss of their soldiers. Earien in particular is very hurt and blames Miriel for Isildur’s “death”.
Elendil is operating as Miriel’s eyes and ears in the court. We love to see him simping, but it’s sad how readily he abandons Earien to be with the Queen. Definitely losing dad points for that.
In the tavern, Pharazon, Belzegar, Kemen, and Earien are conspiring against the Queen. Valandil insults Kemen and threatens him for speaking ill of the Queen.
Eventually Earien tells Pharzon about the Palantir and they concoct a plan to usurp her.
Míriel’s coronation scene is interrupted when Earien reveals the Palantir and a riot breaks out.
“The grief of Númenor is sacred to me… For whom do you cry out? For those we have already buried? For your kingdom? Or for yourself?” - Miriel
“For Isildur!” - Earien, revealing the Palantir
“This elf-stone is your queen.”
An Eagle arrives, meant as a sign of blessing upon Miriel’s coronation; but Belzegar rallies the crowd to believe that the Eagle favors Pharazôn . The Numenoreans are so easily swayed to his side.
Baby Orc!!!!!
In Mordor, Glug is conflicted because he is afraid of Sauron’s return but also doesn’t want to go to war. It is revealed that he has a wife and child, which is a really sweet moment. I love that we are seeing more of regular orc-life.
Damrod the hill-troll arrives, and it will be lovely to see more of him later.
Annatar at Work in Eregion
Durin IV and Disa have been summoned to Eregion where they hear Celebrimbor’s proposal to make Rings of Power for the Dwarves. They are initially skeptical, but eventually Durin IV brings the proposal to his father.
Celebrimbor writes a letter to Gil-galad telling him they’re closing the forge, illustrating his desperation and ambition at play.
“I would grant us the space to complete our work. I have spent an age preparing for this… This is my moment. He will not take it away.” - Celebrimbor
Khazad-dûm
Durin IV finally humbles himself before his father and pitches the idea of the Rings to him, although he doesn’t trust them. It is later seen that Durin III is into the idea so they begin to collaborate with the smiths of Eregion.
Episode Three Thoughts:
I liked this episode a tiny bit less than episode two, probably because there were no scenes with Galadriel or Elrond. It was a nice break from Rhun, but I miss my elves!
It was nice to return to Numenor and I’m glad we’re finally cooking with the Kingsmen vs. Faithful plot. Earien is fully up to no good and I’m here for it.
I’m hoping that we really get moving with episode four, since we’re already nearly at the halfway point of the season now.
If all goes well, we’ll be back next week to discuss episode four.
When Isildur told the story of his mother drowning I couldn’t help but reflect on the chant of the seamen that the sea is always right. I would think that takes on some pretty dark meaning for Isildur now that I heard that his mother drown trying to save him from a rip tide. I recalled Elendil telling Galadriel that his wife drowned. But hearing that it occurred to save Isildur makes it so much more tragic.
Thank you for this great recap. :)
"And still sometimes he put it on, when he could not bear to be parted from it any longer, or when he was very, very, hungry, and tired of fish. Then he would creep along dark passages looking for stray goblins. He might even venture into places where the torches were lit and made his eyes blink and smart; for he would be safe. Oh yes, quite safe. No one would see him, no one would notice him, till he had his fingers on their throat. *Only a few hours ago he had worn it, and caught a small goblin-imp. How it squeaked! He still had a bone or two left to gnaw, but he wanted something softer."*
The Hobbit, Riddles in the Dark
I love all the elves scenes! Elrond is just amazing and we love Arondir! He gives me feels of Beleg
I keep wondering why Sauron wasn't smiling when he stood over Celebrimbor's shoulder, watching him draft the letter lying to his king. I would think that reflecting on his words "This is my moment [precious]; he will not take it away," would have had Sauron smiling a secret, evil smile. I was looking forward to that smile and thought that was exactly why Sauron walked behind him, so he could drop his faux concerned act.
Didn't expect Earien to make such a visible pro-King's Men stance, but loved Valandil standing up for his Queen. Was in constant fear for the fate of Berek. My wife though Theo might have run into Damrod, but an Ent makes more sense.
Great recap. I personally would've wanted the moment with the Eagle to end ambiguous, and not have the faithful so easily swayed by the mob idea that the eagle was there for Pharazon. I would've let the moment linger and then the next episode we see them use that ambiguity to spread the rumor
Agree!!
Yeah annnatar plays with celebrimbor insecurity that he is not appreciated by people, the king didn’t even care to send him a feedback .. so celebrimbor was like frm there screw everyone imma do what i want …
Some things being still a bit abrupt/contrived holds the premiere back from being truly great. I have a hard time with things like someone slapping the QUEEN or Theo knowing where to find those people. Put that all in the garbage with Harfoot flying away in a tornado
Can't wait to see more Narvi, though, and the Durins remain genuinely moving.
humility 😅 and miriel really blame herself for the tragic defeat, theo is rebellious even when his mom was alive constantly heading into danger, so it made sense he would lurk around the forest to see where those guys are…
@@kf_uthman237 fair enough! My problem with the slap is less about Miriel's response and more about the open disrespect
The concept of loving orc families is a million miles away from the moral universe of LOTR. It would compel us to view Legolas & Gimli's orc-killing contest as a brutal exercise in widow and orphan making which was certainly not Tolkien's intent. He encouraged us to see the men of Harad in that light but never the orcs. Like so many things in this show, it is a change made without thought for the wider consequences.
Highly recommend checking out some of Tolkien’s letters where he is struggling with this exact thing and thinking it through. It’s more complex than the Jackson film makes it out to be.
You clearly don't know "johnw1743" that Tolkien was deeply thinking the moral issue involving orcs: read Tolkien's moral dilemma.
@@teawithtolkien I remember back in early 2000s with all this film coming out how I wanted to learn more about the whole universe, so I got myself this paperback that had Silmarillion and various other writing by Tolkien - I was really taken by how it provided so much depth to everything, including orcs.
@@teawithtolkien Thanks for the reply. I'm aware of Tolkien's struggles with the issue. But given even he was not able to resolve the matter, it was unwise for these clumsy writers to think they could.
yay ---__---