The penultimate episode begins with Celebrimbor crafting the nine rings for mortal men, while Sauron manipulates him, steering events toward chaos. As war rages outside Eregion, Sauron takes control of the defenses and sends his troops into battle, hoping to defend the city from Adar’s forces, who have their sights set on closing off the river with catapults.
Meanwhile, in the Dwarven kingdom, tensions rise as King Durin battles his descent into madness. Elrond arrives, pleading for Durin’s help to save Eregion from certain destruction. Durin hesitates, torn between his loyalty to Elrond and his father’s increasingly dangerous commands. Amid the chaos, Galadriel, now working with Arondir, sneaks through the enemy camp, determined to strike at Sauron directly. But her plans are complicated as Adar’s forces close in, and Arondir falls in battle.
The episode crescendos with Galadriel rallying the troops, but her efforts seem too little too late. The orcs breach the city walls, and all hope appears lost as Eregion falls deeper into chaos. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with Celebrimbor, battered and broken, barely escaping and realizing the tragic cost of forging the rings.
This episode delivers the most action-packed moments of the season, raising the stakes as the battle for Eregion intensifies. The tension between Sauron and Celebrimbor takes center stage, offering a gripping portrayal of manipulation and ambition. The war sequences are thrilling, with Galadriel’s escape and Arondir’s fight adding a layer of personal stakes to the larger conflict.
However, the pacing remains uneven. While the action sequences are engaging, the episode drags in places, especially with Durin’s storyline, which feels unnecessarily drawn out. The dialogue continues to feel forced, with several lines echoing Lord of the Rings but lacking the same emotional weight.
Overall, Episode 7 succeeds in building tension and delivering action but continues to struggle with depth and pacing. With the season finale looming, the stakes are high, but the uneven narrative makes us wonder if The Rings of Power can stick the landing.
