In Episode 3 of “The Rings of Power” Season 2, titled “The Eagle and the Scepter,” the story returns to Númenor and the Southlands after a focus on Elves, Dwarves, Harfoots, and Wizards in earlier episodes.
The episode opens with a poignant flashback featuring Elendil (Lloyd Owen) attempting to bring Isildur’s (Maxim Baldry) horse, Berek, back to Númenor. In the flashback, Berek, still grieving for his lost master, is set free by Elendil.
Unfortunately, Berek encounters Orcs while trying to return to his previous location. Despite the fierce fight he puts up, the horse ultimately flees into the Black Forest, a place feared by Orcs due to its deadly reputation. The forest is shrouded in mystery, with a giant spiderweb indicating an ominous presence.
The episode then shifts to Númenor, where Elendil is consumed by sorrow over the death of the king. His daughter, Eärien (Ema Horvath), expresses frustration with her father’s inability to mourn his son, Isildur, while focusing more on the king’s death.
Eärien suggests that Elendil should not shoulder the blame alone, hinting at other sources of fault. Queen Miriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) arrives for the funeral, accompanied by her cousin Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle), who takes the opportunity to impress visiting nobles despite the somber mood.
Miriel is confronted by a grieving mother who has nobody to mourn. Miriel shows compassion by embracing the woman and allowing her to express her grief. This act of empathy is crucial as Miriel prepares to take on her official role as queen, starting her reign under difficult circumstances.
Inside the king’s chambers, Miriel examines her father’s belongings and finds a heavy bangle that she tries to hide from Pharazôn. He informs her that she needs to choose a color for her coronation attire. Pharazôn offers white, symbolizing Númenor’s past, or red, representing its future.
Miriel decides to wear white, honoring her father’s memory and maintaining tradition. Pharazôn prefers red for a fresh start but respects Miriel’s choice to adhere to tradition.
Pharazôn later meets with Eärien, Kemen (Leon Wadham), and Lord Belzagar (Will Keen) at a pub. Kemen expresses doubt about Miriel’s ability to rule due to her blindness, and Belzagar mentions that Pharazôn was almost chosen to rule instead. Pharazôn dismisses the idea, and Eärien hints at a possible way to shift opinions in their favor.
Isildur’s friend Valandil (Alex Tarrant) interrupts the discussion, confronting the group for plotting against Miriel. Valandil points out that they have not faced the dangers of the Southlands as others have. He emphasizes that Miriel’s injuries were sustained while attempting to save Isildur.
Valandil warns Kemen against disrespecting the queen, asserting his loyalty. Eärien reveals that she found something dangerous and forbidden, which Miriel is seeking. This item turns out to be the palantir, now missing from its stand.
The Orcs Prepare for War in Middle-earth
Across the sea, Adar (Sam Hazeldine) is seen preparing his Orcs for a war against Sauron. He tells a concerned Orc that they will never be safe as long as Sauron lives, despite their current safety. “The Rings of Power” adds depth to the Orcs, showing them as more than just servants of Sauron and Saruman.
One Orc is depicted as having a family, adding a layer of humanity to their character. This Orc’s concern for his loved ones reflects a deeper sense of fear and hope for a better future.
A troll, carrying a skull, arrives in the Orc camp, also searching for Sauron. The scene highlights the growing tension and the looming threat of conflict. The presence of the troll adds to the sense of impending danger and the need for the Orcs to prepare thoroughly.
Meanwhile, in Eregion, Durin (Owain Arthur) and Disa (Sophia Nomvete) visit Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards), who offers them a chance to create rings for the Dwarf-lords.
He explains that these rings could help heal their mountain and improve their situation. Celebrimbor proposes that mithril is needed to make the rings and offers to forge them in exchange for this precious ore.
Durin is reluctant to involve his father, King Durin (Peter Mullan), due to their strained relationship. Annatar (Charlie Vickers) tries to persuade Durin by emphasizing the benefits of the deal for their kingdom.
Despite Annatar’s convincing arguments, Durin hesitates to make the deal without consulting Elrond. Annatar’s excessive flattery raises Durin’s suspicions, leading to a tense negotiation.
Disa urges Durin to inform his father about the offer, feeling that they cannot afford to reject a potential solution. Annatar continues to manipulate the situation by spreading false information about Elrond’s stance on the rings.
Celebrimbor decides to write a letter to the High King, congratulating him on the success of the rings and announcing the closure of the forge, demonstrating his commitment to completing his work despite the lies.
In Khazad-dûm, Narvi (Kevin Eldon) informs King Durin about the people’s request to open the grain reserves, which are nearly depleted.
Instead of addressing this issue, Durin presents Celebrimbor’s offer and apologizes for the past issues. King Durin accepts the apology without fully acknowledging it and expresses his concerns about the power they are being offered.
Isildur and Arondir’s Journey in “The Rings of Power”
Back in the Southlands, Isildur and Berek continue their journey through a desolate scheme filled with dead bodies, known from “The Two Towers” as the Dead Marshes. Isildur finds an overturned cart surrounded by corpses and a single surviving woman, Estrid (Nia Towle).
Estrid initially mistakes Isildur for an Orc and wounds him before realizing his true identity. She informs him that the boats have already departed, as she had gone to search for her betrothed. She provides him with a map pointing to an old Númenorian settlement.
The pair encounter a dying man who turns out to be part of a trap designed to rob them. They are rescued by Arondir (Ismael Cruz Cordova), who advises them to go to Pelargir, the settlement mentioned in the map. Arondir leaves them quickly, as he has urgent matters to attend to, including the funeral of Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi).
Arondir lights Bronwyn’s funeral pyre with the help of her son, Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin). Theo is reluctant to accept comfort from Arondir, who blames himself for Bronwyn’s death. The Orc arrow that struck her led to an infection she could not overcome. Arondir reassures Isildur that he will return to Númenor one day, but Theo is not comforted by this.
Arondir advises Theo not to let his anger consume him, but Theo rejects this, insisting that Arondir is not his father and that their relationship is over. Isildur finds Theo by an aqueduct, and despite their casual conversation, Isildur invites Theo to visit Númenor someday. Theo, feeling lost, suggests going after Berek that night, leading them to the wildmen’s camp.
Estrid is found burning Sauron’s brand from her neck. Theo sneaks into the wildmen’s camp to help Isildur retrieve Berek. They succeed in their mission, but the camp is soon ambushed, and Theo is captured by an unknown force.
Miriel’s Coronation and the Palantir’s Fate
Back in Númenor, Miriel’s coronation day arrives, and she wears an elaborate white gown. Pharazôn appears in the red attire he suggested, and as the ceremony begins, voices in the crowd criticize Miriel’s choice. Miriel addresses the crowd, sharing in their grief and urging them to question who motivates their dissent.
Eärien reveals that she found the palantir and accuses Miriel of seeking its counsel. She throws the stone into the crowd, prompting Pharazôn to order its destruction to gauge Miriel’s reaction.
Miriel defends the necessity of the palantir for guidance, but the crowd turns hostile, surrounding Elendil and Miriel. The chaos is interrupted when an eagle appears, seemingly supporting Pharazôn, as the crowd chants his name. With the people’s support, Pharazôn assumes control of Númenor.
The episode ends with Annatar and Celebrimbor forging more rings, with King Durin, Prince Durin, and Disa in attendance. The scene demonstrates the ongoing conflict and the stakes as the season progresses, setting the stage for future developments.
In Season 2 of “The Rings of Power,” the narrative intricately weaves the fates of Númenor, the Southlands, and Middle-earth’s broader struggles. Númenor, grappling with the loss of its king and the burden of leadership, faces political turmoil and grief.
Queen Miriel’s coronation and her struggle with Pharazôn’s influence highlight the tensions within the kingdom. In the Southlands, Isildur’s journey through desolate lands and his encounter with new allies underline the ever-present danger and the search for hope.
The Orcs, led by Adar, prepare for a looming conflict against Sauron, showcasing their complex motivations beyond mere servitude.
The episode effectively balances personal losses with epic conflicts, setting up the dramatic stakes for future episodes. The characters are caught between their duties, personal griefs, and the looming shadow of darker forces.
As alliances shift and destinies unfold, “The Rings of Power” continues to show the rich details of Middle-earth with depth and intrigue. The evolving storylines promise to goes deeper into the characters’ struggles and the larger conflicts shaping their world, maintaining the series’ engaging and immersive narrative.
