The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (1×04) The Great Wave Review

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

As far as the first three episodes of The Rings of Power are concerned, so far, it’s been about putting the pieces out there but now it’s about doing something with them. The Southlands appear to be the key as the orcs are looking for a weapon that may be closer than we realize for their new leader who may or may not be Sauron. The only question now is what to do about it therefore the remainder of the season will presumably build up to it. That being said, the season is already dragging by pulling from the outer edges as it moves forward. While it is more or less clear what is/what needs to happen, the writers seem to be taking the long way to get there which could make things more decisive for anyone who still happens to be on the fence since visuals and technical mastery only work for so long.

Galadriel’s arrival in Numenor has caused unrest as the kingdom has to right the ship before that unrest becomes something worse. Nevertheless, she continued to leverage them to her cause but she still has a lot to learn if she was going to get any assistance from Queen Regent Miriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) who looked to a higher power for guidance as she feared about what may come to her kingdom.

Arondir (Ismael Cruz Cordova) was spared by the orc trench leader Adar (Joseph Mawle) for a reason, to deliver a warning to the remaining humans in their path. Force to flee from their homes and villages, learning to adapt and survive was another battle in the midst of the orcs who were on their trail. Just because they found themselves out of harm’s way at least for now, that didn’t mean they were safe. Meanwhile, Adar was something unlike the other orcs. Self-aware about his own limitations, this suggests that he may not be at the top of the command ladder as his sights were set far beyond the Southlands.

Elrond (Robert Aramayo) and Prince Durin (Owain Arthur) continue to mend their relationship as everything is on the table, including some of their backstory and a potential game-changer. Regardless, his father, King Durin III (Peter Mullan), had his support. 

The episode would end on a hopeful note as it was time to move forward towards what was ahead as certain characters used it as an opportunity to step up and prove themselves.

While the writers surely meant to want to provide a full picture, some moments could be cut down or happen off-screen in order to focus on what does work. Though some with greater connections to some characters than others may disagree and that’s fine. For a series with a lot of ambition, sometimes that ambition has to be reigned in in a more balanced way.

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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.