The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (1×07) The Eye Review

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

Taking a slight step back after last week’s fantastic episode, this latest episode of The Rings of Power was a character episode and a reminder that there are still other stories besides the happenings in the Southlands as it once again can’t quite fit all these storylines together in a seamless way. Owain Arthur and Robert Aramayo as Durin and Elrond also finally get their chance to shine as their storyline hits a crossroads. They’ve already had plenty of smaller moments together but here, they take their strong dynamic to another level. 

After the events which ended in the last episode, the Southland tower gang were left reeling from the epic flood of water and lava which had just washed over them and destroying anyone and everything in its wake. Not everyone and everything survived and the full effects from this remain to be seen but first and foremost, characters had to pick up the pieces and move forward in the face of the ongoing threat of the fiery landscape that they now found themselves in and the continuing threat of orcs who loomed in the background. That process brought along some fun dynamics, including a softer side of Galadriel.

The not knowing the whole story was cause for tension in spite of plenty of untouchables. While some characters may be untouchable, this didn’t necessarily mean that they weren’t affected in any way.

The Harfoot pilgrimage continued but little did they know, what they found at their destination. Nevertheless, the Stranger continued to prove himself to his caretakers but ultimately, their relationship was eventually going to come to an end as his attention became focused elsewhere. That being said, he would not be partaking in this new journey alone.

Negotiating on behalf of the future of the Elves proved to be easier said than done for Elrond. There was plenty of distrust of Elves but he was different and pleaded that fact while Durin of course vouched for him. The Dwarves more than had the means to help, however, his father King Durin (Peter Mullan) needed some more convincing because going behind his back was not going to work. Stuck in the past, he needed to think of the future which was a tough conversation for Prince Durin to have with his father. Luckily, he had his wife Princess Disa (Sophia Nomvete) by his side.

As far as the Numenor delegation was concerned, their experience in the Southlands left them divided which may or may not effect their participation moving forward. If the end of the episode was of any indication, the Southlands were going to need it as a potentially-familiar new threat arose out of nowhere as someone appeared to be waiting for them to arrive all along.

While exciting, there are still far too many storylines dangling as the season approaches its finale next week though it’s clear that this new arrival will play a major role in that outcome. How it with all fit together remains to be seen but with season 2 already in production, viewers should not have to wait very long to find out.

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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.