As we pass the halfway mark of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, the world of Middle-earth is embroiled in chaos and power struggles. The show continues to reveal new layers of intrigue, and Episode 6 moves several key plot points forward.
Villains grow up so fast, don’t they? We went from forging the Three Rings to starting work on the Nine, and the stakes are higher than ever. Let’s go into the episode as our characters deal with looming threats and rapidly unfolding events.
A Dark and Tense Opening in Mordor
The episode begins with Arondir (Ismael Cruz Cordova) deep in the woods near Mordor. He is keeping his promise to track down the elusive Adar (Sam Hazeldine) and his Orc army. Mordor, which is slowly becoming the dark heart of Middle-earth, serves as the backdrop for Arondir’s dangerous quest.
The atmosphere is eerie, and danger lurks in every shadow. The cinematography effectively portrays the growing darkness around the land, reflecting the ominous transformation of this once relatively neutral territory into the stronghold of evil we know it will become.
Arondir doesn’t need to search for long before he encounters a group of deserting Orcs. The Orcs, complaining about Adar’s obsessive search for Sauron, pass close by Arondir’s hiding spot. A third Orc discovers him, but before the creature can raise the alarm, Arondir quickly dispatches him.
This scene is a reminder of Arondir’s deadly skills and his determination to stop Adar’s plans. In one of the Orc’s pockets, Arondir finds a rough sketch of Eregion, which provides the first clue to Adar’s larger plans.
Adar’s hunt for Sauron isn’t just a matter of power; it’s personal. He’s searching for the Dark Lord, someone who both betrayed him and empowered him.
The show’s goes into Adar’s fractured relationship with Sauron provides fascinating insights into the motivations of this enigmatic character, but it also raises the stakes for the entire season. It’s clear that Adar wants to secure his place in the world, and Sauron stands in his way.
Trouble Brewing in Eregion
Meanwhile, in the elven city of Eregion, Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) is facing his own set of challenges. As one of the most skilled Elven smiths, Celebrimbor is under immense pressure to complete the forging of the Nine Rings of Power. However, things are not going according to plan.
The process of forging these powerful artifacts has hit a roadblock, and Celebrimbor’s frustration is evident as he lashes out at his fellow smiths.
The Nine Rings, as readers of Tolkien’s works know, are critical to the balance of power in Middle-earth. They are destined for mortal kings, and they will ultimately be corrupted by Sauron, turning their bearers into the Nazgûl, the terrifying Ringwraiths. Knowing the fate of these rings adds an additional layer of tension to the scenes in Eregion.
Mirdania (Amelia Kenworthy), one of the Elven smiths working under Celebrimbor, notes that he has seemed increasingly irritable lately. Celebrimbor’s obsession with the rings is consuming him, and his inability to even recall Mirdania’s name alarms her.
Annatar, who is secretly Sauron in disguise, arrives at this moment and orders the other smiths to take a break, allowing him some time alone with Celebrimbor.
The interaction between Annatar and Celebrimbor is steeped in manipulation. Sauron, in his guise as Annatar, is playing a long game, subtly influencing Celebrimbor’s thoughts and actions. Celebrimbor confides in Annatar that he is struggling to stay focused and is beginning to lose track of time.
Annatar attributes this to Celebrimbor being in a creative “groove” and encourages him to continue forging the rings. The dialogue here is dripping with subtext, as Sauron carefully plants seeds of doubt and dependence in Celebrimbor’s mind.
Celebrimbor refuses to meet with the people of Eregion, insisting that his only responsibility at the moment is to the rings. This scene highlights the beginning of Celebrimbor’s descent into obsession, a key element in the downfall of Eregion.
Annatar takes control of the situation, addressing the people of Eregion himself and asserting his authority. The cracks in Eregion’s leadership are becoming increasingly visible, and it’s only a matter of time before the consequences of Celebrimbor’s decisions come to the forefront.
Mirdania’s curiosity about the message carved on the chest of the returned soldier adds another layer of mystery to the episode. The chilling message, “Where is He?” is a reminder of Sauron’s looming presence, even as he hides in plain sight as Annatar.
Adar and Galadriel’s Uneasy Truce
In one of the episode’s most intense sequences, we find Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and Adar having a tense conversation over dinner in Adar’s camp. The two characters are natural enemies, but here they find themselves in a strange and uneasy truce.
Adar, who has his own vendetta against Sauron, recognizes Galadriel’s obsession with finding the Dark Lord. Their conversation touches on themes of corruption and power, with Adar suggesting that Sauron’s influence has tainted Galadriel’s mind.
Adar, despite being an antagonist, presents himself as more than just a villain. His deep connection with the Orcs, whom he refers to as his “children,” humanizes him to some extent.
He sees them not just as minions, but as beings worthy of protection and freedom from Sauron’s control. This adds complexity to his character, as he isn’t simply serving evil for the sake of it; he has his own reasons for opposing Sauron.
The scene’s cinematography enhances the tension. Dutch angles — where the camera is tilted to create a sense of disorientation — make the audience feel as unsettled as Galadriel does. The shift between straight shots and these tilted angles gives the entire exchange a dreamlike, off-kilter quality, heightening the sense that something is deeply wrong.
Adar reveals that he needs the power of the Three Elven Rings combined with Morgoth’s crown to destroy Sauron once and for all. His knowledge of Halbrand’s true identity as Sauron adds another layer of intrigue to the plot, though Galadriel is reluctant to confirm this.
This dinner scene not only provides more insight into Adar’s motivations, but it also hints at the growing internal conflict within Galadriel. She is torn between her duty to Middle-earth and the temptation to use Sauron’s power to achieve her goals. The episode leaves viewers questioning whether Galadriel will be able to resist the corrupting influence of the rings.
Tensions in Númenor: Elendil on Trial
While the drama unfolds in Middle-earth, Númenor is dealing with its own political upheaval. Elendil (Lloyd Owen), one of the kingdom’s most respected captains, is on trial for inciting a riot and high treason.
Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle), who has been steadily consolidating power, presides over the trial and declares that Elendil’s crimes warrant death. However, Elendil’s years of service to the kingdom earn him a chance to avoid execution, provided he pledges loyalty to Pharazôn.
Elendil’s trial is a key turning point for Númenor. His refusal to recognize Pharazôn as king, instead declaring Miriel as the rightful ruler, sets up a clash between the Faithful — those who still honor the Valar and their ways — and the growing faction of Pharazôn’s supporters who seek to break away from these ancient traditions. Elendil’s defiance shows his unwavering commitment to what is right, even if it costs him his life.
The trial also deepens the personal conflict between Elendil and his daughter Eärien (Ema Horvath), who has allied herself with Pharazôn’s faction.
As Elendil faces the possibility of death, Eärien begins to realize that she may have chosen the wrong side. Her growing doubt about Pharazôn’s leadership adds complexity to her character and sets up an interesting dynamic for future episodes.
Lord Belzagar’s suggestion that Elendil’s fate should be decided by the Valar through a Trial by Abyss adds an element of mythic grandeur to the scene. Númenor’s reverence for the sea and the Valar’s influence over it is a central theme in Tolkien’s lore, and this trial serves as a reminder of the kingdom’s deep connection to the divine.
The Stranger’s Struggle: A Trial of Fire
Meanwhile, in a remote valley, the Stranger (Daniel Weyman) is undergoing his own trial, though of a very different nature. His meditation session with Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear) turns into a harrowing vision of Nori (Markella Kavenaugh) and Poppy (Megan Richards) in grave danger.
The Stranger, who has been struggling to understand his place in Middle-earth, seeks guidance from Tom Bombadil, who tells him that the Secret Fire can show him things if he only learns to listen.
The Secret Fire, a mysterious concept in Tolkien’s legendarium, represents the creative force that sustains life and the world itself. The Stranger’s journey to master it is a metaphor for his internal struggle — he must decide whether to use his power to protect or to destroy.
The Stranger is faced with a decision: does he abandon his trial to save Nori, or does he continue his path toward understanding his power? The emotional weight of this decision is palpable, as it reflects the broader theme of the episode — the balance between personal desires and the greater good.
