Where The Stars Are Strange – This episode of Rings of Power begins in Khazad-dum. Disa (Sophia Nomvete) and Prince Durin IV (Owain Arthur) go shopping. Disa tells Durin that she’s bound to the dwarf she loves and wouldn’t change that for anything.  She asks if he’s tried speaking to his father. Durin insists he’ll never agree to see him. Disa yells for everyone to brace themselves just before a violent earthquake. Once it stops, they notice that the whole town has gone dark. After the intro, Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) plants seeds for her brother. Lord Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) approaches to tell her about his unexpected visitor. The seeds grow into vines that grab Celebrimbor and kill him. Galadriel is distraught while the others discuss attacking Mordor. High King Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker) is told their spies indicate Sauron was last seen traveling into Mordor.

They believe he wants to supplant Adar and claim his armies. Galadriel thinks they should send ships up the Anduin and invade Mordor from the west. In private, she tells Gil-galad that Sauron may have traveled to Mordor but they can’t be positive that’s where he remains. She explains that Sauron intends to bend the minds and wills of the people of Middle-earth to his own. Gil-galad is confident Celebrimbor and the secrets of his crafts are safe. She is worried that Sauron’s plan is in motion and evil moves in on Celebrimbor. Since wearing the ring, Galadriel has felt glimpses of the unseen world. She questions whether he has seen the same. Gil-galad tells her about the horrific events he has seen since wearing the ring.

He refuses to send her after Sauron. Once the deceiver gains a person’s trust, he has the ability to sculpt their very thoughts. Galadriel says he knows her mind and she knows his. She believes that’s why she must face him. Gil-galad says she cannot face him alone. In Eregion, Mirdania (Amelia Kenworth) tells Halbrand (Charlie Vickers) that Celebrimbor will not grant him entry. Halbrand refuses to leave. Celebrimbor learns and refuses to see Halbrand because of the promise he made to Lady Galadriel. Mirdania believes he’s injured. Celebrimbor thinks he’ll leave soon enough. The masked figure rides to Caras Gaer. Inside, the Dark Wizard (Ciaran Hinds) summons the Acolyte who says Sauron’s shadow is deepening. The wizard asks about the Istar. The Acolyte says he’s lost and vulnerable, but he will not be for long. They must reach him before he learns to harness his powers.

The tracker he sent out returns and says he knows how to capture Istar. If the Istar does not surrender, the tracker will slaughter the halflings he calls friends. Meanwhile, Poppy (Megan Richards) and Nori (Markella Kavenagh) try to pick out a name for the stranger (Daniel Weyman). He doesn’t think someone can give you a name. Nori is sure they’ll find out who he is. While they sit around, Poppy asks the stranger if he could use his magic to create water. Nori explains he’s afraid he’ll lose control without a grand. They hear horses and immediately try to hide. They remain hidden while the trackers look for them. Once the trackers move on, the stranger and the others talk about them. The stranger believes they should pick a different path. They follow the one Poppy picked earlier. Disa tells two dwarves that they’re about to prove nothing bad is about to happen.

They go to King Durin (Peter Mullan) who asks Narvi (Kevin Eldon) for his report. Narvi says a fire mountain awoke. They discuss finding the light. King Durin gives Disa permission to do so. It appears the Stone Singers’ attempts only make matters worse. King Durin believes the bond is broken. He tells them to dig carefully. In private, Disa tells King Durin that his grandchildren are well. She thinks the King should apologize to her husband. King Durin argues that his son caused the problem though. Disa alleges the King is deaf to the sorrow of his own son. She tells the King to summon his son. The dwarves are unable to find sunlight. Some of them blame Prince Durin and his father for this mess. Prince Durin speaks to Disa about the mine at home. She urges him to apologize to his father. Disa tells him they cannot hear the mountains anymore and she’s afraid.

Durin is convinced they’ll find a way because they’re dwarves. Galadriel visits Elrond (Robert Aramayo). She says their letters to Celebrimbor have gone unanswered so she worries Sauron may be in Eregion. The High King has agreed to send Galadriel and a small team to Celebrimbor to ensure the city is safe. She wants Elrond to join her. He won’t send her without Elrond because the High King is worried she’s vulnerable to deception. She admits he’s right because Sauron used her. Elrond explains Sauron looked inside her and made himself out to be exactly what she needed. Galadriel asks Elrond to help them navigate this labyrinth. Elrond argues there is no navigating it because the labyrinth is Sauron’s. As long as they stay in it, they’ve already lost. Galadriel pleads with Elrond. She says she cannot let him in again although Elrond argues that Sauron never left.

In choosing to wear those rings, they’ve all become his collaborators. Elrond will have no part in it. He asks her to leave. Later, Elrond speaks to Cirdan (Ben Daniels) who tries to change his mind. He mentions that Rumil was a drunkard. Cirdan tells him about humility which is the truest form of sight. Elrond wishes he could know Cirdan’s peace. Cirdan tells him he can. In Suaron’s hands, the rings could work an evil beyond reckoning. This is why they must remain in the hands of the Elves. Cirdan tells Elrond he is wise to fear Sauron’s power. He can’t be blinded to the ways it can be used for good. Cirdan reminds him that his most trusted friends have the rings. The stranger and the others continue their travels. He ends up falling down. Poppy runs back believing she saw something. They try to pull the stranger to the well nearby. Poppy manages to get a bucket of water and they help the stranger.

The stranger finds a staff that is similar to the one he saw in his dream. They’re approached by the trackers. The trackers rush in and begin attacking. The stranger uses his magic to stop them. Nori and Poppy have to hold on so the wind won’t blow them away. The stranger loses the staff and possibly control of his magic. Nori and Poppy are blown away. Celebrimbor manages to conceal the material he’s working with. He explains to Mirdania that it’s called ithildin and it’s made from the last silver of mithril. It’s only visible in the moonlight. They discuss the visitor who still hasn’t left. Halbrand stands outside in the rain. Celebrimbor approaches and warns him he’ll be removed by force. Halbrand claims he’s spoken to Galadriel. Celebrimbor hasn’t spoken to her since she left for Lindon.

Halbrand asks if he has heard what happened with the rings. He would hope the High King wouldn’t neglect to send word to Celebrimbor. Halbrand implies that the others always take credit from the creators before trying to leave. Celebrimbor invites him inside. Halbrand tells him that the rings worked wonders. Celebrimbor is so thrilled he decides to open a First Age bottle. Halbrand asks Celebrimbor if he’s a friend. Celebrimbor says yes. Halbrand says there’s no room for half-truths, yet there is much Celebrimbor doesn’t know. Halbrand says he did not come to toast the Elven Rings. He wants to Celebrimbor to make Rings for Men. Celebrimbor worries the risks of corruption are far greater with men. The Dwarves would never provide the mithril anyway. Halbrand says the Dwarves already face a dilemma of their own.

Halbrand admits that’s not his name, he’s not a king, and he’s not a mortal. He says there are forces in this world beyond evil. They sometimes send aid in the form of an envoy. He warns Celebrimbor that every realm will fall soon and the darkness is growing stronger. The rings are their last hope of restoring the light. He says they have work to do. Celebrimbor has to shut the doors when they blow open. He turns around and Halbrand is gone. The entire room goes dark before the fireplace burns brighter. Halbrand talks to Celebrimbor about the storm that is coming. He claims he can unlock his grandest abilities. When their work is complete, his work will never be overlooked again. Annatar approaches before Celebrimbor and tells him their work begins now. He officially calls himself Annatar. Gil-Galad tells Galadriel to depart for Eregion at first light with five of the bravest Elves.

She thanks him for considering. He tells her to thank Elrond who will be leading the company. Prince Durin receives an invitation from Lord Celebrimbor who wants the Dwarves to come to Eregion.

 

The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power Review

This episode of Rings of Power was okay, but there’s nothing special here either. Besides the amazing graphics and style, everything else seems to be going through the motions. Many of the casting choices have been odd from the get-go. After all this time, I am still struggling with Morydd Clark as Galadriel, Charlie Vickers as Sauron, Benjamin Walker as Gal-galad, and so many others.

Casting Jack Lowden briefly for the role showed what it could’ve been, but the script may have been stronger for those first ten minutes. Then, the episode introduced Vickers as an Elven character calling himself Annatar. The Elven version of the character doesn’t look great either.

The constant jumping from group to group only slows the progress of the show which is already tedious. That’s going to get even worse when the other characters are brought back for the first series. There’s no depth here and the characters are pretty much hollow leaving no reason to genuinely care about any of them.

It really is a shame considering how good this could’ve and should’ve been with the budget. However, it’s watchable but don’t expect to be whisked away to Middle-earth with a riveting tale that can do Tolkien justice. This episode scores a 5 out of 10. Recaps of The Rings of Power can be found here.

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