I did not realize I cared about one specific character in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 until their story broke my heart. As of the ending of The Rings of Power season 2 episode 4, intriguing storylines were teased for Galadriel and The Stranger specifically. In the wake of Lord of the Rings’ titular Rings of Power being crafted, the former’s exciting reunion with Adar was teased while the latter reached the house of Old Tom Bombadil in the land of Rhûn.

However, one disappointment I had with The Rings of Power season 2, episode 4 was the lack of action on the other side of Middle-earth, as the fate of Númenor was left unexplored. Thankfully, The Rings of Power season 2, episode 5 makes up for this, with Númenor’s cast of characters in Rings of Power returning. Above the political tension and brewing conflict on the island nation of Men, I was surprised to find that I cared about a specific character from The Rings of Power more than I thought I did.

Valandil’s Death Scene In The Rings Of Power Season 2 Is Absolutely Heartbreaking

Isildur’s Childhood Friend Proved To Be An Unsung Hero Of The Rings Of Power

The character in question is Valandil, whose death proved an effectively tragic scene as the situation in Númenor deteriorated. In a show filled with elves and men known from The Lord of the Rings, I often find there is no shortage of characters I care about, yet Valandil is not one I would put at the top of my list. However, his death scene in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 5 was genuinely shocking and drew the most notable reaction from me of anything in the installment.

Valandil is the name of Isildur’s youngest son, making his namesake’s death in The Rings of Power even more tragic.

The death of Valandil in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 5 came at the hands of a character I have always disliked but now hate. Kemen, the son of Pharazôn, proved to be a detestable figure in this episode, committing to his father’s new rule by shutting down a shrine in Númenor dedicated to honoring the fallen. Present at the shrine were Elendil and Valandil, paying tribute to those lost in the Battle of the Southlands, including Isildur, who both still believe to be dead.

Only when Valadnil surrendered and tension died down again did Kemen stab him in the back, eliciting a true gasp of shock from me as the character died…

Perhaps I was so invested in Valandil’s death due to the scene expertly playing with tension. Kemen’s initial introduction and Elendil’s barely-contained anger caused tensions to spike before settling. Kemen then smashed an important aspect of the shrine, which caused Elendil to react, raising the stakes once more. Valandil aided his captain and gave Kemen a notable beat-down before proving to be the better man by dropping his sword. Only when Valadnil surrendered and tension died down again did Kemen stab him in the back, eliciting a true gasp of shock from me as the character died in Elendil’s arms.

Valandil Was Barely A Side Character Before His The Rings Of Power Death Scene

I Did Not Realize How Much I Cared For Valandil

Another reason as to why I was shocked Valandil’s death was so affecting was his minimal screen time before The Rings of Power season 2, episode 5. While Valandil was first introduced in the third episode of season 1, the nature of The Rings of Power‘s expansive timeline and multiple storylines means he was barely even a side character. With so much of the focus being pinned on the major players of each section of Middle-earth, Valandil understandably received less attention, despite being involved since the early installments of the show.

Valandil’s nature as an original character not written by Tolkien in The Rings of Power makes his side-character nature make more sense, and shocking death more impactful.

However, upon his death, I realized how well The Rings of Power utilized Valandil’s minimal screen time to make him a character whose death was genuinely heartbreaking. His commitment to Númenor has been evident since season 1, and his promotion to lieutenant saw him play a vital part in the Battle of the Southlands. In the wake of Isildur’s “death,” Valandil has been given more of a solemn, intense arc, defending not only the honor of Númenor from the likes of Kemen but also the memory of Isildur and the legacy of Míriel after episode 3’s Great Eagle appearance.

The Rings of Power season 2, episode 5 summed up these bit-part moments of development in his death scene. As his rivalry with Kemen came to a head, Valandil continued to prove his honor by defending a restrained Elendil from attack and standing up for the people of Númenor in the wake of Pharazôn’s brewing tyranny. His goodness was exemplified by him sparing Kemen’s life, leading to the shocking visual of a sword piercing through his chest from behind.

What Effect Valandil’s Death Could Have On The Rings Of Power’s Númenor Story

Valandil’s Death Could Cause A Domino Effect On Elendil & His Family

 

Aside from causing my own shock, Valandil’s death will likely have implications for The Rings of Power‘s Númenor story. For one, it could cause a crisis of faith regarding Eärien, Elendil’s daughter. Angered over Isildur’s death and the fate that befell many others upon Míriel’s quest to Middle-earth, Eärien has been a staunch supporter of Kemen and Pharazôn, though showed a notable warmth toward Valandil in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 5. Now that Kemen has killed Valandil in cold blood after the latter had surrendered, Eärien could see the error of her ways and turn against his father.

This could see her reconnect with her own father, Elendil, who will undoubtedly be affected by Valandil’s death. Elendil has been somewhat neutral in the Númenor power struggle thus far, obeying Míriel’s commands to accept Pharazôn’s new rule. However, Valandil’s death and the other deplorable actions of Kemen and his father could see Elendil openly oppose the new king. Not only could this lead to a potential civil war in The Rings of Power season 2, but it could also see Elendil’s Palantir vision come true as he turns his back on Númenor for good.