The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (1×05) Partings Review

For our review of the last episode of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, click here.

As this first season of The Rings of Power rolls on into its back half, it’s time for characters and subplots to converge towards what seems to be the Southlands but there is plenty left until whatever will presumably happen there happens. Meanwhile, who is really behind what is going on? The answer to that question remains unclear up to this point. Much of the spectacle which has dominated the beginning of the season has taken a back seat as of late in favor of story and character development but it looks like things might be going back in that direction as the season heads to the finish line.

Galadriel and Halbrand and Clark and Vickers’ stellar chemistry continue to be the highlight and the main driving force of the series. She clearly had a plan but she was mostly keeping it to herself. It was all about revenge for the death of her brother, however, she clearly couldn’t get there alone. One could argue that Halbrand and Numenor were merely means to get that revenge but one also can’t deny Galadriel and Halbrand’s chemistry. Though the overall benefit overall mutual, he perhaps needed to be reminded of who he was and the people who depended on him as the king of the Southlands.

That being said, there was a reason he got to where he was which was an unfortunate backstory. In the end, there was still room for some sort of a redemption angle for which the writers were clearly building to. However that will ultimately go remains to be seen but Vickers delivers yet another powerful performance as does Clark who arguably follows his lead here. Meanwhile, putting a formidable force together and contentious Numenor politics proved to be an issue as those facilitating Galadriel and Halbrand’s voyage back to Middle Earth but it was not one that couldn’t be overcome though that story is not over.

As the Harfoot migration was in full swing, the Stranger may be attracting other forces towards them who were on his trail on top of the other known threats along their path. Slowly rehabilitating himself while in the company of the Harfoots, his memory appears to be coming back and with that could come more details about his pursuers.

The humans in the Southland tower needed to respond to Adar’s ultimatum, however, it became another contentious issue which exposed to divides that were already there below the surface. Nevertheless, Arondir was committed to fight with the people for whom he had become close to. Though a now desperate Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi) had of course assumed a leadership position, her son Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin) and his find, an instrument needed for Adar’s plan, made them all a target.

Elrond’s mission may have been more key than he even realized as the fate of his race laid in the balance which would also put his relationship with Durin to the test, a position that he looked to take seriously. While the elves may look down and out, it wouldn’t be much of a Lord of the Rings series without them and they are likely to be a prominent figure in whatever the outcome may be.

As the episode came to an end, it was time to set sail as slowly but surely, things are coming together.

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.