For the most part, The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power Season 2 was a huge improvement over an already strong first season. As such, the second season finale had a monumental task to undertake though. There were at least six separate storylines that needed to come to some kind of conclusion that would leave fans satisfied, yet wanting more. While the finale was successful on many fronts, there were still some glaring issues that were exhausting and offered little in terms of excitement or wonder. The Rings of Power’s second season finale offered concrete conclusions to some stories, but left significant space for growth in the coming seasons.
Thankfully, this finale’s bright spots mostly outshine the negatives. Charles Edwards’ Celebrimbor, Charlie Vickers’ Sauron, Peter Mullan’s King Durin, and Morfydd Clark’s Galadriel are all extremely captivating in their performances. It’s difficult to look away when they are on screen. Their performances are so dominating, and they all play so well off each other. Director Charlotte Brändström and her cinematographer Alex Disenhof pull off some incredible sequences as well, including a stunning “one take” through the ruins of Eregion. Unfortunately, The Rings of Power’s biggest shortcomings pull the episode and the rest of the season down, once more rendering a solid season of television “good” instead of “great.”
The Rings of Power Season 2 Ends With Celebrimbor’s Heartbreaking Resolution
Charles Edwards’ Performance Dominated All Season
The most consistent part of The Rings of Power Season 2 was the story of Celebrimbor and Annatar. The conflict brewing within the walls of Eregion has been captivating, beautifully written, and stunningly filmed. Yet, beyond all of that, the acting of Charles Edwards and Charlie Vickers has been nothing short of miraculous. Their performances were the entire season’s emotional anchor, and it all came to fruition in the finale. Here, Celebrimbor’s mind has been cleansed, and he now sees Annatar for the evil he truly is.
As he fights against torture and manipulation, Celebrimbor represents what the Elves of Middle-earth are truly about. He brings light to darkness and stands against the threats within the dark. Edwards perfectly encapsulates the essence of a man who has given everything for his craft, for his people, and ultimately for his legacy. Celebrimbor brought the greatest power ever to life, and it cost him dearly. He sees the evil that he has wrought, but he knows the good it is capable of.
The rings of power shall destroy you and, in the end, I foresee one alone shall be your utter ruin. – Celebrimbor
Edwards and Vickers easily balance the concepts of good and evil, with Vickers turning Sauron into a true narcissist. Despite Celebrimbor pointing out the evil that Sauron embraces, Annatar believes that all the darkness he dove into was only done because Celebrimbor pushed him down such a path. Yet, the magic of Vickers’ performance is that, for a brief moment, the audience can believe what Annatar does. Vickers’ makes it believable that Sauron just wants to do good, contrary to everything viewers already know about the dark lord. This magic is what sells the two characters’ relationship, and makes their closing moments together even more heartbreaking and devastating.
The Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 8 Finally Gives Galadriel the Spotlight
Morfydd Clark Truly Becomes Galadriel in the Season 2 Finale
While still present, Galadriel has had somewhat of a smaller role in The Rings of Power Season 2. This has been a disservice to her character and Morfydd Clark’s strong presence. Thankfully and after too long of a wait, Season 2’s finale finally gives Galadriel her big moment. Her first big moment was meeting Adar again after the battle of Eregion. Along with Galadriel, this scene showed the true depths of Adar’s love for the Orcs. Adar has the option to be as he once was, before the corruption of Morgoth. Yet, he chooses to be an Orc, showing that he not only loves the Orcs, but now truly accepts them.
This moment is only enhanced by the depth of emotion that Sam Hazeldine brought to this scene, making it a beautiful moment that he shares with Galadriel. The power of Galadriel in this episode lies within her duel with Sauron. She not only fights him physically, but emotionally and mentally. Her battle is evocative of not only the fight for Eregion, but the battle for all Middle-earth. Clark has fantastic physicality here, and truly owns the screen alongside Vickers.
The free peoples of Middle-earth will always resist you. – Galadriel
The emotion of this battle cannot be downplayed. The audience can easily feel Galadriel fighting for her very soul as Sauron attempts to enact his will on her. Clark embraces the light of her character and shows the audience why she deserves to lead the series. By the fight’s climax, Galadriel becomes the very embodiment of the light of the Valar. Galadriel’s character takes a huge step forward in this moment, seamlessly finishing her transformation from the arrogant warrior who fans first met in Season 1 to a kinder leader who is much more similar to the Galadriel people are used to. Even if she took a backseat for most of Season 2, Galadriel is the heart of The Rings of Power, and Clark pours her soul into the performance.
The Rings of Power Season 2’s Finale Sets up the Fall of Two Nations With Varying Degrees of Success
Khazad-Dûm’s Subplot Outshines Númenor’s in Almost Every Regard
Khazad-dûm and Númenor are two major nations that have been in conflict for the entirety of The Rings of Power Season 2. The Dwarven storyline has been consistent thanks to the great chemistry between Durin IV, Disa, and Durin III. Along with the interesting story of the darkness of the Dwarven Rings mentally destroying the King and physically destroying Khazad-dûm, this has been a satisfying story. This is all brought to a dramatic head as the Balrog makes yet another appearance.
The threat of the Balrog is as wonderful as it is terrifying, as it looms over every small crack that appears within the Dwarven realm. The Balrog’s return in Season 2’s finale creates a lot of anticipation for the downfall of Khazad-dûm and gives Owain Arthur and Peter Mullan a chance to shine as a father and son duo. They share a deeply emotional scene together, which helps the audience feel like this existential threat to the kingdom is more real than ever before. The Balrog’s return just in time for the season finale was somewhat predictable, but the emotion of the cast’s performance was what made it worth watching.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Cast List
Character
Actor
Galadriel
Morfydd Clark
Sauron/Annatar
Charlie Vickers
Celebrimbor
Charles Edwards
Elrond
Robert Aramayo
High King Gil-galad
Benjamin Walker
Adar
Sam Hazeldine
Arondir
Ismael Cruz Cordova
Owain Arthur
Durin IV
Peter Mullan
Durin III
Elendil
Lloyd Owen
Tar-Míriel
Cynthia Addai-Robinson
Isildur
Maxim Baldry
Pharazôn
Trystan Gravelle
Kemen
Leon Wadham
Estrid
Nia Towle
Eleanor ‘Nori’ Brandyfoot
Markella Kavenagh
The Stranger
Daniel Weyman
Poppy Proudfellow
Megan Richards
Tom Bombadil
Rory Kinnear
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Nûmenor, on the other hand, struggled to find its footing in The Rings of Power Season 2. The biggest issue is that this kingdom of men in particular feels completely disconnected from the rest of Middle-earth. Elendil, Isildur, and Míriel are the core of Nûmenor’s subplot, but it was hard to balance the story between the three of them. As Kemen arrives in Middle-earth, the story finally begins to come together. Elendil will lead the Faithful from Númenor, while Isildur will find his way back to his people and ultimately to his father and the Faithful. Nûmenor’s story took a step in the right direction, but it still lacks a compelling cliffhanger that pushes audiences to care enough. While there are still aspects of its society and fate that need to be explored, it’s hard to see how there would be multiple seasons’ worth of story left to tell within Nûmenor, or why anyone would be interested in more.
The Stranger Is Still The Rings of Power Season 2’s Biggest Downfall
The Finale Gives a Dragging Story a Predictable and Boring End
All season long, the Harfoots and the Stranger have been a weak point. Their subplot was unnecessary, the “twists” were obvious, and outside a few strong emotional moments, their scenes were lackluster. The finale is no different. The reveal of the Stranger’s identity has long been theorized about and guessed at. It is finally revealed here, and it was very predictable. There is no big twist, no surprise; just a straightforward reveal.
Now to be fair, it’s hard to say what twist there could be that wouldn’t leave the audience feeling sour based on the clues that had been dropped before. The Rings of Power was never too subtle about who or what the Stranger really was. The problem wasn’t the Stranger’s identity, but the exceution of their big moment. While this feels like a great place to end the story of the Harfoots and the Stranger, it is very clear the show means to continue on this tale, despite its total lack of connection to any other events within the series.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, Reviewed by CBR
Episode Number
Episode Title
CBR’s Score
1
Elven Kings Under the Sky
7/10
2
Where the Stars are Strange
8/10
3
The Eagle and the Sceptre
6/10
4
Eldest
7/10
5
Halls of Stone
6/10
6
Where is He?
7/10
7
Doomed to Die
9/10
8
TBA
7/10
Season 2 Episode Average
7/10
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The Rings of Power Season 2 sticks the landing when it comes to wrapping things up for the Elves, Dwarves, and even the Orcs, but stumbles when it comes to the other major players. Nûmenor maintains its status as a middle-of-the-road subplot, while the Stranger and Harfoots continue to be nothing more than glorified footnotes. This, despite how much time has been dedicated to them all series long. Season 2 leaves lots to look forward to in coming seasons, even as it struggles to balance all its moving parts and plots. While this gave Season 2 a cohesive and decent stopping point, it was one that could’ve been so much more.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on Prime Video.
