Warning: This article contains spoilers about the finale of Rings of Power.
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The Rings of Power’s finale left you wanting more. Beautiful’s 8th episode ties together various loose threats, while also giving some callsbacks to the beloved characters of the Lord of the Rings series. Despite the criticisms made so far, the pace has served its purpose and the end was breathtaking. It is truly a celebration Of Tolkien’s Work, and it seems that it will only get better from here.
The beginning of the episode was smartly done as the viewers are instantly diverted from the ‘who is Sauron’ theory, giving space for other things to fall back into. It is done majestically by letting Sauron’s cultists follow the stranger and submit to him, which proves some fans are correct. The most touching scene, however, is when Nori, Poppy and Elanor rescue him.
Nori, fighting all the cultists takes the magical staff to give the stranger. The two have some of the most wandering dialogues, which thematically work to prove the stranger’s identity. He says, ‘They (cultists) showed me who I am.’ But Nor’ reaffirms, ‘Only you can show what you are. You decide what you do. You are here to help, I know it.’ Despite the cultists’ affirmation that he is Sauron, Nori believes he is good and that a little act of kindness allows The Stranger to wield his power again.
#RingsofPowerEpisode 8 spoilers #TheRingsOfPower #Lotronprime
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GANDALF OML WHAT AN SCENE🤯🙌🏽🔥pic.twitter.com/Tkwbj1sGSb— 𝙶𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚎✖️✖️// #RENEWSANDMAN⏳🎃🔪👻 (@giselleb1234) October 14, 2022
He finally gets up from the ground and says, ‘I’m Good’ rather than some majestic line. It was a bit disappointing but he makes it up when he says, ‘From the shadows you came. To shadow, I bid you return.’ Then the cultists realise it is not Sauron by Istar before he uses his blueish-white light to turn them into moths. This is the same line that Gandalf used to try to stop Balrog. He says, ‘Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass.’ Thus, this proves that The Stranger, like many predicted, is Gandalf.
Sadoc, who was killed fighting the cultists, is not mentioned here. Lenny Henry is such an outstanding actor that his passing is quite shocking. His final wish was to see the sun rise before he could finally be with his wife. We will remember his loss.
The Stranger visits Rhun after the Harfoots leave the group. There he meets other wizards. Elanor realising his daughter’s interest suggests that she belongs out there, and she must go with The Stranger. Poppy has very Samwise Gamgee vibes when she decides to stay back with her people, perhaps, even take up trail-finding, which was under Sadoc’s wing all this while ago.
There is another callback when Nori says she doesn’t know the direction, and the Stranger says, ‘when in doubt, follow your nose.’ Gandalf says the same line years later, further cementing his identity. The Stranger’s departure with Nori is another recallable moment. It was the same time that Bilbo and Frodo went on their adventures with Gandalf many years later. This explains why Gandalf is protective of Hobbits in The Lord of the Rings. Some RedditorsThey also noted that the tree that The Stranger heals would eventually become The Shire.
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They finished the season with this shot and now they want me to wait two whole years for the next ….. This is a new level of evil. pic.twitter.com/XURM8r87iG
— mabe | trop era ✨ (@dragonevenstar) October 14, 2022
On the other side of the sea are Númenoreans, Elendil, and Queen Míriel sailing back to their land. They discover that the King is gone upon their return. However, Elendil is unaware that his daughter Eärien knows about the Palantir upstairs because of the late King. It remains to be seen what effect that will have, but with Pharazôn looking thoughtful and the people behind him, things are looking dark for Míriel in more ways than one.
Elendil believes that his son is dead. However, keeping Isidur from the action seems like a smart decision. Those who have read or seen LOTR will know that he survived. He will play a major role in the next seasons.
This is Galadriel’s final chapter, and all your questions will be answered. Elrond & Gil-Galad realise that Galadriel is not going to Valinor. She instead brought the King of Southlands over to their lands. However, when she hears Celebrimbor says to forge a power ‘not of the flesh but over flesh,’ she begins to suspect Halbrand. Celebrimbor has been following him to make the ring. This makes her more suspicious. When she looks at data on the South Land kings she suspects, she confronts Halbrand.
We sat down together to watch this week’s Rings of Power. I am just astonished by all the internet criticism.
This is some of best television. A beautifully detailed world, compelling characters, wonderful music & plenty of intrigue.
The writing! It’s GOOD. pic.twitter.com/Q6O2aO02fJ
— Bryan Arivett (@bryansbane) October 7, 2022
He immediately abandons the act. He actually tries to manipulate her. While doing so, he says, ‘And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the Morning and the Night! Fair as the Sea and Sun and Snow upon the Mountain! The Lightning and the Storm are terrifying! More powerful than the foundations. All shall love me and despair!’
This line was first used in Galadriel’s transformation of form before Frodo. However, it was used slightly differently. ‘In place of a Dark Lord, you would have a Queen! Beautiful and terrible as the Dawn, not dark! Treacherous as The Seas! Stronger than all the Earth’s foundations! All shall love me and despair!’ Rings of Power subtly touches upon the grey areas of Galadriel’s character. After all, she has never fully recovered from her errors. She also felt guilt for breaking her promise of revenge to her brother. Celebrimbor also deceived her.
Jack Shepard, despite all of it, is still a great guy. GamesRadar points out, “There’s a question of how much Sauron has improvised and how much was pre-planned – did he want to join Númenor’s blacksmith’s guild to forge rings there? Did he see the mithril? Whatever the case, evil has stirred unexpectedly, and it is a breathtaking new take on Tolkien that still feels at home in the author’s world.”
It’s also interesting to see Halbrand in his human form, instead of just a man in demonic armour. It would be wonderful if the story included some mention of his past as Ainur. After all, he mentions that he wanted to ‘heal’ the world and Galadriel points out control it.’ Charlie Vickers’ performance was great as he oozed creepiness that soon turned downright viciousness. Also, later fans pointed out that Halbrand’s identity made sense when he said, ‘Call it a gift,’ which indicates one of Sauron’s titles, Lord of Gifts.
hahahahahahahahahahaha pic.twitter.com/xSRwgWX4S2
— dtzy (@dtzydtzy) October 14, 2022
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Sauron and Galadriel🔥 #Sauron pic.twitter.com/YKMHwmAw69— 𝙶𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚎✖️✖️// #RENEWSANDMAN⏳🎃🔪👻 (@giselleb1234) October 14, 2022
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They are too sick to take this photo paralleling the eye. #Sauron pic.twitter.com/COYxL27Leu
— mabe | trop era ✨ (@dragonevenstar) October 14, 2022
As a LOTR fan, the scene of rings being forged was thrilling to watch. Just as mithril is being melted, there are parallels between Sauron’s Eye near Mount Doom, before seeing Halbrand finally coming to his new home, Mordor.
— the three elven rings of power: vilya, narya and nenya; the rings of power pic.twitter.com/a77UxslOYC
— ؘ (@tolkiengifs) October 14, 2022
Everything seemed to be in its right place. This episode was a wonderful conclusion to the pilot season. It focused on the story and characters as well as the world-building. They used lore to keep the audience interested. Even though there were times when scenes felt a bit messy, we still want more. We are eager to see where things go in the future. This will undoubtedly be a memorable experience for many of its fans, if they keep the story building going.
