The finale opens with Durin confronting his father over the dangerous mining in Khazad-dûm. King Durin, obsessed with tapping into the mountain’s “true wealth,” uses a battering ram to break through to the Balrog’s lair. Despite Prince Durin’s pleas, the king presses forward, unleashing the fiery creature. In a climactic twist, King Durin, realizing his folly, removes his ring and sacrifices himself by plunging into the fire to save his people.
Meanwhile, Gandalf crosses paths with a Dark Wizard in the wilderness, who has captured two Halflings. A tense battle unfolds as Gandalf abandons his quest for a staff and uses his raw power to rescue the captives and escape the wizard’s trap. In Numenor, Pharazon sparks a political storm, accusing Queen Muriel of allying with Sauron. This accusation sets the kingdom on edge, as Numenorians are called to root out those loyal to her.
Back in Middle-earth, Galadriel confronts Adar, offering him the rings, but he already wears one. Their conversation dives into the bloodlust of orcs and the future of their kind. As the situation escalates, Sauron arrives, brutally killing Adar, marking his return to power. Galadriel then faces off with Sauron in a fierce duel. Despite her strength, she is ultimately stabbed and left for dead, while Sauron claims the rings for himself.
As Eregion falls to the orcs, Elrond attempts to save the city’s knowledge. The episode ends with a sense of foreboding, as Galadriel miraculously survives, but Middle-earth’s future looks darker than ever. The surviving heroes prepare for an uncertain and dangerous path ahead.
This finale delivers some of the most intense moments of the season, from Durin’s emotional sacrifice to Galadriel’s fierce confrontation with Sauron. Durin’s arc is a highlight, combining personal conflict and high stakes as he faces the Balrog. His sacrifice adds depth to the dwarves’ storyline, making the scene one of the most impactful.
However, the pacing in other parts of the episode feels rushed. Galadriel’s battle with Sauron, though visually exciting, lacks emotional depth. Characters like Arondir return with little explanation, while some plotlines—like Isildur’s romance—feel unnecessary. Still, the episode sets up plenty of intrigue for future seasons, leaving us eager for what’s next despite its uneven execution.
Conclusion:
The second season of Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power brings more depth and grandeur to Middle-earth, but it doesn’t quite hit all the right notes. Visually, it’s stunning—the landscapes, battles, and world-building remain top-tier, which keeps us hooked. The character development is a mixed bag.
While Galadriel’s journey takes a more introspective turn, some storylines, like Isildur’s, feel underwhelming. Durin’s emotional arc adds a strong layer of drama, but other characters lack the same depth.
The pacing is uneven, with some episodes dragging, while others feel rushed. The finale delivers in terms of spectacle but leaves emotional resolution hanging for certain characters. There’s an undeniable effort to align more closely with Tolkien’s vision, which I appreciated, but at times, the dialogue feels clunky, especially when it tries to mimic the poetic style of the source material.
Despite its shortcomings, this season builds on the foundation of the first season and adds more complexity to the story. It’s a step forward but not quite the leap we were hoping for. Our rating for this season would not be any more than 2.5/5.
