The battle is over! The sixth episode of Rings of Power, Udûn, gives the audience the much-anticipated warfare scene in an action-packed episode. While there clearly are some plot holes, it doesn’t change the fact that Udûn is one of the most explosive episodes in the series so far.
READ ALSO What does ‘Udûn’ mean in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’?
The show’s pacing has been a major improvement. Writers have made sure that viewers are on the edge of their seats as characters navigate through thrilling and anticipatory scenes. The episodes are filled with hope, and there are few moments of despair until the final episode, which will pierce your heart.
Without further delay, let me start with the things that work in this episode.
The Southlands are at war. You can watch Episode 6 at 12 AM ET Friday. @PrimeVideo. #TheRingsOfPower pic.twitter.com/wlN7grAT1I
— The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@LOTRonPrime) September 29, 2022
- Adar’s love for his orcs: This is perhaps the most riveting aspect of the episode. We all know that Adar is a poisoned, elf who is supposedly working to Sauron. The episode reveals that Adar was (allegedly) the one who killed Sauron. Galadriel, like us, doesn’t believe that Sauron killed his children orcs for greater power. Therefore, we had to stop him.
- It’s interesting to note that Rings of Power does not see the world as black and white, and there is a logical explanation behind every decision, much like how the real world works. Furthermore, Adar’s portrayal moves beyond his evilness, unlike anything seen in the previous LOTR movies. He has empathy for his orcs, and Joseph Mawle’s spectacular acting portrays the tides of emotions a poisoned elf feels. He is not only evil but also has a lot more to him than his hatred for the world.
Who will fight and stand? This Friday, Episode 6 airs at 12 AM ET. @PrimeVideo. #TheRingsOfPower pic.twitter.com/1sZgLxL6Q7
— The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@LOTRonPrime) September 28, 2022
- Bronwyn and Arondir are longing for each other: Arondir was there to support Bronwyn as she chose Southlands to protect in the previous episode. Even he devised a plan for helping the villagers. The writers skillfully portray their love despite the danger of war by demonstrating that their duties are more important than anything else.
- When the battle finally commences, Arondir’s focus is on Bronwyn the entire time. It is clear that he is willing to do whatever it takes to protect his beloved. His gallantry, juxtaposed with Adar’s affection, draws a strong conclusion that one is ready to endanger themselves for the sake of their loved one.
- Theo might not be so bad as we think. His actions this episode have shown that Theo, despite the whole hilt scandal, is just a teenager who is scared. While we don’t know what his fate holds, this show sheds light on a teenage boy, who only has one parent figure, and has been a victim of various rumours around his mother’s relationship with an elf, the latter being a detested race in Southlands. He shows love for his mother and comes around when his mother is in peril. It’s also compelling to his acceptance of Arondir’s equation with his mother, and somewhere, a little faith in the elf. While they might not yet be a father-son team, his confiding in Arondir about his darkest secrets demonstrates his trust in the Elf.
- The battle scenes are glorious, a homage to LOTR: The entire episode resembled the fellowship’s fight with the giant team of orcs at the battle of Helm deep. When the orcs had overpowered Arondir’s team, Galadriel, Miriel, and Númenóreans came to their rescue.
- Galadriel looks a lot like Gandal who came with Roharrimean men in order to save Rohan from the Orcs. The only difference is though Théoden and Aragorn II are still fighting, unlike Arondir and Theo, who had surrendered.
- Galadriel and Halbrand’s friendship: Despite their numerous quarrels, the two seem to be a pillar of support for one another, even if they may not entirely trust each other (they are in the process of doing so). Halbrand follows Galadriel as he chases Adar during the battle to take down Adar.
- Isildur and Elendil’s bond: After they have conquered the evil, the father and son spend some time on the outskirts of the town, tending Isildur’s horse. When his father speaks of his mother, Isildur is moved by his father’s memory of his mother. As in previous episodes, Isildur and his father fight over their former home. The memory of his mother becomes a reason to forgive one another.
Are you ready? The battle will begin on Friday, 12 AM ET. #TheRingsOfPower pic.twitter.com/2fHuduCYNP
— The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@LOTRonPrime) September 28, 2022
- Galadriel’s defeat at the end: Despite her best effort, she could not save the Southlands from becoming Mordor. Arda had played a clever trick on Waldreg, allowing him to unleash his plan. When the volcano bursts, Galadriel realizes that all of his dreams will never come true. It’s a fantastical portrayal because now, we know how Mount Doom came into existence.
After we’ve covered the important points, let’s now look at the pitfalls.
- Adar’s speech to the orcs was way more powerful than Arondir’s. His speech seemed forced in fact. While we know the villagers are scared, and it’s the elf’s way to boost morale, the scene still felt forced.
- Why did they not hide the people who couldn’t fight in the obvious location when they knew that the orcs would attack the village? People could be hidden further from the action. That would have been the best part. They will be at greater risk if they are locked up in one location, which is in the middle the town.
Rings of Power Episode 6 might of been one of the best episodes of television I’ve ever seen! #RingsofPower pic.twitter.com/x3O1cCZLBu
— Jack Sherman (@simple5ive) September 30, 2022
- The scene in which Theo asks his mom to repeat the prose she has recited to him is where he finds out what her mother thinks. The line “Find light, and the shadow will not find you,” seems a rather poorly done scene. She could have said it while he was tending to her, instead of saying it before the battle. Or, the writers could have sung a lullaby, like a song “wonder and wander,” in the previous episode.
- Orcs may not be the most intelligent of tools. But they use a ruse (they were fighting against their people all the time) to defeat them, then they ambush them, and eventually overpower them. Adar might have trained his Orcs, and then taken them to fight. He loves his orcs like his children and he wouldn’t have allowed harm to come their way.
It’s amazing to think that this was the very first image we ever saw in Super Bowl teaser trailer in February…
Tonight, we get to actually see the scene! 🤯#TheRingsOfPower pic.twitter.com/4vZbPuUbkY
— Daily Rings Of Power (@DailyRoP) September 29, 2022
- Bronwyn saves Arondir from being stabbed by an evil orc. Although we knew someone would come to his rescue in a moment of need, it was the healer who saved him.
- Galadriel and her crew arrived just as Adar was about kill Bronwyn. This raises questions about how they managed to travel thousands of miles in a matter of days. Galadriel and Halbrand also didn’t know where Adar was. Even if Halbrand belongs to the Southlands, there is no way he would know of Adar’s plan.
- Adar’s plan all this while simply creating Mount Doom seems incomplete. It possibly can’t be his greatest plan. Although he was willing to put the orcs at risk, he could not do so for such a small plot.
One observation: Halbrand confronts Adar when he finally meets him. He asks if he knows him. Later, Galadriel questions Adar about Halbrand’s knowledge and he mentions killing Sauron. It is possible that Halbrand is Sauron and has disguised himself to find Adar.
READ ALSO Who is Adar in “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”?
Despite its loopholes, it is well worth the effort. This episode seems like there are many more troubles for our lead characters in the future, and this battle is just the beginning of Sauron’s rise.
