As one of the most expensive streaming shows to date, all eyes are on Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power. The show finally debuted its first two episodes on Amazon Prime, and most fans will agree that they are not disappointed with this new chapter!
So, what went down in the premiere?
Lord of the Rings is quite a huge universe and since we’re traversing to an earlier period, it’s important to give the viewers a complete sense of this world. Rings of Power Episode 1 did just that, as it exposed us to a younger Galadriel and the rest of the main characters.
Episode 2 is where the narrative picks up, weaving in four different stories that I am sure will converge by the end of the season. So, let’s explore each of the episodes and their endings in detail.
The World Building of Episode 1
Avoiding the trend of cliffhangers in the first episode, Rings of Power’s Ep 1 instead focuses on building and bridging this new setting for LOTR fans. As such, there’s not much to explain about the ending per se, but it would do us good to simply touch base with everything that happened.
Titled “Shadows of the Past,” Ep 1 is graced with a prologue narrated by Galadriel, very much in the style of most LOTR films. This captures a time a young Galadriel becomes a warrior fighting to overthrow Morgoth.
Now in the present, although they have won, she continues to be on a hunt for his evil protege, Sauron. Her group finds Sauron’s sigil in a cave, but no one save for her thinks it’s a big deal—it could’ve been marked decades ago.
When they reach the Elven city, Lindon, Elrond and High King Gil-galad congratulate them with wreaths commemorating their mission that proves that the threat of Sauron no longer exists.
The group is also rewarded to go live out the rest of their days peacefully in the Undying Lands. However, since Galadriel senses that the worse is yet to come, she jumps off the boat.
Her fears are proven right in a storyline explored in the Southlands. Since Galadriel’s mission is declared a success, the elves watching over various regions are ordered to return home. This includes Arondir, who has to unwittingly bid farewell to his human lover, Bronwyn.
Once he leaves, we see that Bronwyn’s son is in possession of a mysterious kilt with Sauron’s symbol. That’s not all—following the tracks of a sick cow, Arondir and his fellow elves find that a nearby village has been seemingly rampaged by orcs.
Lastly, we meet the Harfoots, Poppy, and Nori, in particular, who at first glance seem to live in a hobbit region that has been experiencing no terrors. Of course, that’s about to change when the two go chasing a “shooting star.” When the comet makes its landfall, it brings along a new character: The Stranger.
Episode 2 Ending Explained
Episode 2, “Adrift,” is more dynamic, as we have four different storylines. Let’s dive into how each of these arcs leaves us with a cliffhanger that makes us look forward to Episode 3.
I. The Stranger Grows Stranger
Despite being wary of The Stranger, Poppy and Nori rescue him and decide to take care of him. They are unable to converse with him because they don’t speak the same language, so he devises another innovative way to communicate—controlling their fireflies to form a constellation.
The horrible downside of this whole endeavor is that the fireflies die and The Stranger, too, faints without really explaining what the constellation means.
II. Durin and Elrond’s Friendship Renewed
After Elrond is finally able to convince Durin about Celebrimbor’s workshop, the dwarf goes on to speak to his father, King During III about the same. Although the king doesn’t trust the elf, he later gives in, thanks to Durin and Elrond’s friendship.
They then open a chest containing an illuminating object. While we don’t see what exactly it is, it sure will be important in the episodes to come.
III. Theo’s Alarming Blade
When Bronwyn slams down the severed head of an orc, it convinces the Southlanders to leave the village. That’s also when we see Halbrand’s heraldry on Theo’s father’s coat, connecting the two stories.
The mystery deepens when blood falls on Theo’s hilt, causing the rest of the dark blade to emerge from a mixture of smoke and ember.
IV. Galadriel Meets Her New Companion
After jumping off the boat, Galadriel comes across a raft with humans on it. After a ruffle with the sea beast, Galadriel and human Halbrand survive. They’re not alone for too long, as an unknown ship with a mysterious person on board approaches them.
We’re sure to see who exactly it is in Ep 3. Don’t forget to tune in on September 9.
About The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is an American TV series, based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, developed by J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay for streaming on Amazon Prime.
Set 3,000 years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the show will be set in the Second Age of Middle-earth. Beginning with a time of peace, the series will follow the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron and the forging of the rings of power.
The cast includes Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, and Dylan Smith among many others.
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