The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Halls of Stone
September 13, 2024 7:20 AM - Season 2, Episode 5 - Subscribe
King Durin receives his promised ring and exhibits new skills and desires. Celebrimbor and Annatar debate the question of the need of nine rings, while Ar-Pharazon works to solidify his rule over Numenor.
Episode 5 continues the process of referencing Tolkien's ring poem that started in episode one with "Elven Kings under the Skies":
Episode 5 continues the process of referencing Tolkien's ring poem that started in episode one with "Elven Kings under the Skies":
Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
No Stranger and Hobbits this episode. Barely any Galadriel/Elrond. Just a lot of Sauron being Sauron (which was fine, although the elves seem to be very naive for beings who've lived so long, but I pointed that out last season so I guess maybe it's just a trait of theirs), Dwarves being a bit dense (also fine if a tad boring), and Numenoreans being just absolute jackasses.
Could Kemen/Earien be written any worse? He's cartoonishly evil and stupid (in a very I've-seen-this-1000-times-before way) while her actions aren't well justified by what's depicted (I probably don't remember every scene she's been in, but it feels like it's not very well explained how she went from wanting Pharazon to exert influence to avoid her brother and father going to war, to helping foment a coup and stripping her father of this rank). They're both created for the show so none of this can be blamed on the source material. So far the weakest of this season's episodes in my opinion.
posted by axiom at 4:58 PM on September 13 [2 favorites]
Could Kemen/Earien be written any worse? He's cartoonishly evil and stupid (in a very I've-seen-this-1000-times-before way) while her actions aren't well justified by what's depicted (I probably don't remember every scene she's been in, but it feels like it's not very well explained how she went from wanting Pharazon to exert influence to avoid her brother and father going to war, to helping foment a coup and stripping her father of this rank). They're both created for the show so none of this can be blamed on the source material. So far the weakest of this season's episodes in my opinion.
posted by axiom at 4:58 PM on September 13 [2 favorites]
Celebrimbor's tiny anvil paperweight omg
posted by jason_steakums at 6:56 PM on September 13 [10 favorites]
posted by jason_steakums at 6:56 PM on September 13 [10 favorites]
Sauron’s dead eyed stare is really phenomenal.
posted by Isingthebodyelectric at 7:15 PM on September 13 [3 favorites]
posted by Isingthebodyelectric at 7:15 PM on September 13 [3 favorites]
So far the weakest of this season's episodes in my opinion.
That's funny, I thought this was the strongest episode of the series so far. To each their own!
I do agree that the Numenor plotting is still rather weak this season - it feels more like the outline of a story rather than something with its own internal momentum. They've dangled some motivations for the various characters without fully explaining them, so hopefully they'll actually flesh that out in due time.
The thing that holds it together for me is the actor for Elendil. He's not even really doing much either, but somehow I find him really compelling.
posted by Alex404 at 2:55 AM on September 14 [4 favorites]
That's funny, I thought this was the strongest episode of the series so far. To each their own!
I do agree that the Numenor plotting is still rather weak this season - it feels more like the outline of a story rather than something with its own internal momentum. They've dangled some motivations for the various characters without fully explaining them, so hopefully they'll actually flesh that out in due time.
The thing that holds it together for me is the actor for Elendil. He's not even really doing much either, but somehow I find him really compelling.
posted by Alex404 at 2:55 AM on September 14 [4 favorites]
The little anvil paperweight was adorable, although I'm concerned about the big anvil handing from the ceiling and wonder about the lack of osha safety for such an immense suspended load. A single cleated cord does not seem adequate especially considering there are workers (who mostly lack any PPE) directly in the danger zone beneath it.
Also why did they have it hanging in the first place? Surely there is sufficient workshop space to keep it on the shop floor. They could easily expand the workshop to eliminate the need for such a dangerous workplace configuration.
posted by autopilot at 1:03 PM on September 15 [7 favorites]
Also why did they have it hanging in the first place? Surely there is sufficient workshop space to keep it on the shop floor. They could easily expand the workshop to eliminate the need for such a dangerous workplace configuration.
posted by autopilot at 1:03 PM on September 15 [7 favorites]
This was the first episode this season that I didn’t watch until the end; I feel like this season has improved, but really it needed to be gutted and totally refitted, rather than the slight tinkering we have had. If only they could have afforded to pay an editor, rather than have 18 interminable plot lines that meander
posted by The River Ivel at 3:42 AM on September 16 [1 favorite]
posted by The River Ivel at 3:42 AM on September 16 [1 favorite]
Not all who meander are lost.
I mean, I see the critique. This show's pacing is undeniably weird. But in at least some moments, it feels deliberately so to me.
A bigger issue might be that I kind of like Sauron?? Probably because Celebrimbor is such a dingus.
What do we suppose the over/under is on Sauron's new groupie there learning Too Much and suffering an unfortunate light industrial accident?
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 7:38 AM on September 16 [3 favorites]
I mean, I see the critique. This show's pacing is undeniably weird. But in at least some moments, it feels deliberately so to me.
A bigger issue might be that I kind of like Sauron?? Probably because Celebrimbor is such a dingus.
What do we suppose the over/under is on Sauron's new groupie there learning Too Much and suffering an unfortunate light industrial accident?
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 7:38 AM on September 16 [3 favorites]
A bigger issue might be that I kind of like Sauron?? Probably because Celebrimbor is such a dingus.
I mean....liking Sauron is kind of Sauron's thing.
What do we suppose the over/under is on Sauron's new groupie there learning Too Much and suffering an unfortunate light industrial accident?
I don't think it'll be the groupie, so much Celebrimbor being the reason the "No Entirely Coincidental Maimings and Deaths since Annatar Arrived" day counter will be reset to 0.
I loved his little anvil paperweight, too!
posted by Atreides at 8:09 AM on September 16 [1 favorite]
I mean....liking Sauron is kind of Sauron's thing.
What do we suppose the over/under is on Sauron's new groupie there learning Too Much and suffering an unfortunate light industrial accident?
I don't think it'll be the groupie, so much Celebrimbor being the reason the "No Entirely Coincidental Maimings and Deaths since Annatar Arrived" day counter will be reset to 0.
I loved his little anvil paperweight, too!
posted by Atreides at 8:09 AM on September 16 [1 favorite]
Who else thinks Pharazon will get one of the nine rings?
posted by jquinby at 7:35 AM on September 17 [2 favorites]
posted by jquinby at 7:35 AM on September 17 [2 favorites]
The little anvil paperweight was adorable, although I'm concerned about the big anvil handing from the ceiling and wonder about the lack of osha safety for such an immense suspended load. A single cleated cord does not seem adequate especially considering there are workers (who mostly lack any PPE) directly in the danger zone beneath it
Elvish rope would be the simplest explanation. Remember the rope that Galadriel gives to Samwise? That rope can do anything.
Who else thinks Pharazon will get one of the nine rings?
Interesting. He deserves that fate. But that would mean he survives the fall of Numenor and I recall he doesn't.
posted by Ber at 2:59 PM on September 17 [2 favorites]
Elvish rope would be the simplest explanation. Remember the rope that Galadriel gives to Samwise? That rope can do anything.
Who else thinks Pharazon will get one of the nine rings?
Interesting. He deserves that fate. But that would mean he survives the fall of Numenor and I recall he doesn't.
posted by Ber at 2:59 PM on September 17 [2 favorites]
Yah, the fall of Numenor is a main reason my podcast peeps have ruled out Pharazon. He has to get on the fleet of ships to try and land on Valinor and get wiped out that way. I 100% see his awful kid getting one, though. The Nine Rings were envisioned to lure those who would want power and he seems like the type. So does Theo, sorry kid.
posted by Atreides at 8:26 AM on September 18 [1 favorite]
posted by Atreides at 8:26 AM on September 18 [1 favorite]
Ah, OK. I haven't dug into the deep lore in ages upon ages.
It makes way more sense for the two sons fit the bill. I can see both of them accepting a ring from Sauron for differing reasons leading to the same bad end. Feels like seeing their acceptance of them would be a logical cliff-hanging-sort-of-end.
posted by jquinby at 9:30 AM on September 20 [1 favorite]
It makes way more sense for the two sons fit the bill. I can see both of them accepting a ring from Sauron for differing reasons leading to the same bad end. Feels like seeing their acceptance of them would be a logical cliff-hanging-sort-of-end.
posted by jquinby at 9:30 AM on September 20 [1 favorite]
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Sauron just running the spectrum on manipulation. First he goads Celebrimbor into writing a letter to Gil-Galad essentially saying, "Great news about the rings, I'm definitely not 100% using my forge anymore." so he can then forge the dwarven rings...but then, when he hears news from Prince Durin that wait a second, those dwarven rings may not be working right, Sauron steps and goes, "Well, they would have but someone went and told a lie to their king." Welp! It looks like Celebrimbor is going to have a mental breakdown by the time the last 9 rings are forged. We know the one ring isn't forged in his place, but I wonder if Sauron/Annatar will try to do that before Celebrimbor catches on and puts his foot down.
I loved the corruption aspect of King Durin's ring. It gives him the power to do good. Look, he got the light, the realm of Khazad-dum is saved! But then, whispers "There's a lot of booty in this here mountain, why not dig deeper and get it?" It made me think of how Boromir thought he could use the One Ring for good, but it would have absolutely corrupted him as the magical ring is doing here to Durin.
Adar offering Galadriel a sit down? Not surprised.
A bit confused with Gil-galad, is the ring giving him foresight or is it messing with his head?
Numenor...well things are escalating fast. The destruction of the shrine made me think of how the Numenoreans lost touch with the old ways before setting their eyes on Valinor. I'm still waiting for some pyramid building/tombs, etc. It's now a count down for the preparation to flee Numenor for Middle Earth ahead of the great waves.
posted by Atreides at 2:18 PM on September 13 [2 favorites]