DISCLAIMER: This recap of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 8, “Shadow and Flame,” contains spoilers. Proceed at your peril.
The Season 2 finale is here, and boy, does it pack a narrative punch. “Shadow and Flame” ties some loose story threads while deftly laying the groundwork for Season 3. We lose a few players — Celebrimbor, Adar, King Durin III and Glûg — while Sauron’s power grows, pervading new corners of Middle-earth. Now, he has the Orcs behind him. Everyone brings their acting A-game, the visuals are as immersive as they are otherworldly and the action maintains a steady clip throughout. Bring on Season 3, please, and thank you.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, “Shadow and Flame”
We open with Prince Durin (Owain Arthur) and Narvi (Kevin Eldon) in Khazad-dûm, running toward the king through the tunnels. This is after Narvi came to Durin on last week’s episode, covered in blood, as he explained that King Durin III cut through his men to dig deeper into the mountain. The prince urges Princess Disa (Sophia Nomvete) to take one of the fallen Dwarves to the healing chamber while he prepares to face his father. Durin kisses Disa before he goes.
Then, Durin the Younger finds Durin III (Peter Mullan) digging through a particular section of rock. Blood streaks his face. Durin tearfully begs his father to stop, but the latter refuses, claiming that Dwarves don’t beg. Finally, the king breaks through the rock wall, revealing an expansive cavern full of mithril. Durin III states that his son can view the mountain as he does if the latter wears a ring. Durin the Younger reminds his dad that this mountain doesn’t belong to them. The king counters that it can with the seven rings for Dwarves.
A Sacrifice
Suddenly, Durin’s Bane, a Balrog of Morgoth, rises from the depths. It whips what looks like a fiery lasso around Durin III’s ankle, pulling him toward the cliff’s edge. It also knocks Durin the Younger backward. Then, the Balrog proceeds to wreak havoc, thrashing about and generally being Balrog-ish.
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Durin III makes a bold choice: He removes his ring. He acknowledges his son’s inherent strength and refers to him as “King Durin.” Uh-oh. Durin the Younger screams as his father leaps toward the Balrog, axe raised. Disa embraces him as they watch in horror. The Balrog slices through Durin III as the latter’s axe makes contact. An explosion ripples through the cavern, sending debris flying in all directions. RIP, Durin III. At least you went out like a badass.
To Save His Friends
Later, in Rhûn, The Stranger (Daniel Weyman) abandons his quest to find a staff and help his friends. He arrives at the Stoor village, where he meets Dark Wizard (Ciarán Hinds). He reveals that Manwë promised The Stranger would be here. Dark Wizard informs The Stranger that the five of them are as kin. He adds that The Stranger persuaded him to leave the Uttermost West for Middle-earth. “Because you knew that none of us could hope to defeat Sauron alone,” DW says.
The Stranger admits that he was under the impression that DW aligned himself with Sauron. DW urges The Stranger to follow him for the answers he seeks. The Stranger pivots, asking about Nori and Poppy. Dark Wizard reassures him they’re safe. Unfortunately, the Nomads choose this moment to reveal Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and Poppy (Megan Richards) in an unsafe situation. One Nomad holds a blade to Nori’s throat. Dark Wizard claims he ordered the Nomads to ensure the Harfoots were unharmed.
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Then, the aforementioned blade-wielding Nomad snaps back at DW, reminding the latter that his people were kings. With a wave of his staff, DW sends the Nomad flying backward, where a protruding stick punctures him in the back of the head, killing him. Nori and Poppy reunite with The Stranger. Poppy asks The Stranger if DW was who he was looking for. The conversation returns to Sauron. The Stranger wonders if Dark Wizard wishes to defeat Sauron so he can succeed them. DW hoped he and The Stranger could fulfill that role together.
A Choice and a New Decree
The Stranger insists he’d rather walk the desert forevermore than rule in Sauron’s stead. Dark Wizard waves his staff, causing the massive rocks atop the village to fall. DW asserts his “old friend” has given him no choice. As Dark Wizard departs, The Stranger uses his powers to keep the debris aloft as best he can. We see some of the rocks crashing on the ground as the Stoors make a break for it. Nori and Poppy join them.
Next, in Númenor, Eärien (Ema Horvath) assembles the most prominent of the Faithful in the palace for a meeting. She claims she doesn’t know what’s going on. Ar-Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle) and Lord Belzagar (Will Keen) arrive. Pharazôn claims Míriel could “bewitch the sea” because she has a powerful ally gathering strength to make them bleed — Sauron. He’s 100 percent basing this on his vision from the palantír. Sauron looked an awful lot like Halbrand, after all. Naturally, the Faithful are incredulous. Míriel’s only ally is the Valar, who spared her from the seaworm.
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Belzagar declares that all “so-called Faithful” are now traitors of Westernesse. He and Pharazôn urge loyal Númenóreans to “oppose this threat.” We see guards posting signage and pulling people out of their homes. Eärien sneaks away as the Faithful in the palace are dragged away. Pharazôn notices her departure. She warns Elendil (Lloyd Owen) about Pharazôn’s guards coming to arrest him. She urges him to flee. He does this, and Eärien lies to protect him when confronted by a guard.
Paths Diverging
After this, Elendil meets with Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson). He tells her they can leave for the West, where more Faithful dwell. His son, Anárion, is among them. Míriel reveals she can’t go with him. Her place is in Númenor. Before they part ways, she gives Elendil Narsil, the sword he’ll wield during the War of the Last Alliance. Elendil doesn’t like the thought of his and Míriel’s paths diverging, but boy, is that sword pretty.
Meanwhile, things are looking more than bleak in Eregion. The Orcs have breached the walls and are wreaking havoc on the city. Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) leads a group of survivors, trying to escort them out of Eregion while battling whatever Orcs cross their path. Outside the city, Galadriel and the survivors encounter more Orcs. She claims she has what their Lord Father wants — the nine rings plus her ring, Nenya. They can take her to Adar.
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Inside the forge, Sauron (Charlie Vickers) fires arrow after arrow into Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards). He’s not a happy camper (well, to be fair, neither is Brimby). Sauron demands to know the location of the nine. He tries to appeal to Celebrimbor’s pride again, saying he wants to share the legendary smith’s creations with the world. If Celebrimbor discloses the rings’ location, Sauron will end his suffering. You know, the suffering that Sauron insists Celebrimbor brought upon himself. Classic abuser rhetoric.
The Last Words of Celebrimbor
Instead, Brimby doubles down on the verbal attacks (as he should), digging deep into Sauron’s insecurities. Sauron fashions himself the “master” of the rings, but Celebrimbor calls him their “prisoner.” Ouch. Celebrimbor also refers to Sauron as the “Shadow of Morgoth” and predicts that out of the rings of power, “one alone shall prove your utter ruin.” Admittedly, this bit gave me chills.
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Then, Sauron seemingly uses Gil-galad’s Aeglos to impale Celebrimbor, lifting the latter off the ground. Is this the beginning of the Celebrimbanner? Regardless, this is plucked straight from Galadriel’s ring vision in Lindon. Before Celebrimbor dies, he utters one last dig, addressing Sauron as “the Lord of the Rings.” RIP to the best Elven smith. Go now to the shores of the morning. Vickers and Edwards are masterful in this scene. I also love seeing Sauron in pain for once. After Celebrimbor passes, Glûg (Robert Strange) and a few Orcs trickle into the room. He confirms Sauron’s identity. As usual, Sauron mentions that he’s gone by many names. “What’s yours, Uruk?” he asks.
Later, in Pelargir, Isildur (Maxim Baldry) prepares to depart for Númenor. Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin) chats with him for a bit. Isildur wishes Theo would accompany him to Númenor, but Theo wishes to remain in Pelargir to uphold his promise to the late Bronwyn and Arondir. He asks Isildur for advice on how to carry his grief over losing his mother. Isildur still struggles with not blaming himself for his own mother’s death. It’s a lifelong battle. The pair embrace.
Love Amid War
After Theo leaves the room, Estrid (Nia Towle) enters. She informs him that she and Hagen are building a home here. However, she doesn’t love her betrothed — she has eyes for another. Isildur and Estrid finally kiss, complemented by swelling romantic music. Isildur asks Estrid to come with him to Númenor.
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Outside, Kemen (Leon Wadham) and his host arrive from Númenor. He reunites with Isildur, expressing relief on behalf of Eärien. Then, Isildur asks if Estrid can join them on the ship home. Kemen reveals that there’s no room for “low men.” Their interaction pivots into animosity territory as Kemen tells Isildur that his father is a traitor. Kemen regrets not killing Elendil when he had the chance. Naturally, Isildur tries to knock that little sh*t’s lights out. At this point, he doesn’t know that Kemen killed Valandil.
Next, Kemen claims Pelargir is no longer simply a Númenórean settlement. It’ll serve as a military outpost for Ar-Pharazôn’s armada. The civilians currently residing in Pelargir must contribute timber in exchange for food. Understandably, everyone looks pissed. Meanwhile, the Orcs bring Galadriel to Adar (Sam Hazeldine), who reveals he’s wearing Nenya. This ring of great power can heal “wounds that have endured.” Galadriel offers to help him defeat Sauron if he ends the Siege of Eregion.
In Peace
We see he now looks as he did before his corruption took root. Back then, he went by a different name. However, Adar was the name he earned. Adar removes the ring and hands it back to Galadriel, who slips it on her finger. Now, he appears as we know him, the ring’s effects wearing off. Adar vows to cease all fighting. He and his Uruks will return to Mordor. He hopes everyone can live in peace. Adar knows this will come to fruition thanks to the Elven rings.
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Then, a few Orcs bring Glûg in on a stretcher. They inform Adar that Sauron mortally wounded him. Adar tends to his child, who proceeds to stab him in the gut. After this, the Orcs descend upon Aar, stabbing him repeatedly. Look familiar? It’s a nice parallel to the opening scene of the season premiere, with the Orcs killing Sauron (well, that version of him, anyway). The creatives even use the same camera angle of the Orcs looking down on Adar.
And in Death
Sauron materializes, grabbing the crown of Morgoth. He stands over Adar as the latter slips from this world. Revenge is a dish best served by Orcs. RIP, Adar. After Adar perishes, the Orcs hail their Lord Sauron. He orders the Orcs to raze Eregion to the ground and to ensure no Elves survive, save their leaders. He wants them to bring the Elves’ leaders to him. What transpires next is a brutal one-on-one fight between Galadriel and Sauron. I’ve been waiting for this all season. Sauron alternates between using Morgoth’s crown and Adar’s sword. He demands she hand over the nine rings and Nenya.
History Burns
Meanwhile, in Eregion, the Orcs have restrained Elrond (Robert Aramayo) and High King Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker). Elrond vehemently protests as the Orcs destroy crucial records Celebrimbor kept of his works. History now burns before his eyes. On a happier note, Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova) survived his encounter with Adar.
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Next, Galadriel and Sauron’s battle gets dirty as Sauron the Deceiver, well, deceives. He transforms into a clean-shaven Halbrand, repeating the same line he told Galadriel in Season 1. You know, how he wanted to hold onto that feeling of fighting by her side. Oh, stupid, sexy Sauron. Then, he morphs into Galadriel herself, who claims that her friends could no longer distinguish her from the evil she pursued. Finally, Sauron becomes the late Celebrimbor, taunting Galadriel with, “Is this not the seeds you planted?” At one point, Sauron repeats what Finrod tells Galadriel in the pilot, that we cannot know which lights to follow until we touch the darkness.
Sauron claims his offer of making her his queen still stands. That door is wide open. In response, Galadriel continues to lunge at him with her sword. Suddenly, Sauron stabs Galadriel in the chest with Morgoth’s crown. He digs it deeper into her chest while reminding her that he would’ve placed a crown on her head and ensured everyone would bow to her. Galadriel fires back that the free peoples of Middle-earth would never submit to him. Hey, my man wants to heal Middle-earth and bring it to heel.
Defying the Deceiver
Then, Sauron pulls the crown out of Galadriel’s chest. She falls to the ground. Despite the gravity of her wound, Galadriel slowly rises to her feet. Sauron reaches for the velvet bag containing the nine rings for men, which fell out of Galadriel’s top. After seizing half of what he wants, he orders Galadriel to give him her ring. She pretends to do as she’s bid before pivoting to the ultimate fakeout. She pulls an Elrond and falls backward off a cliff, her ring in hand.
Meanwhile, Elrond, Arondir and Gil-galad fight back against their captors, slaying Orcs left and right. Elrond goes hogwild here. I’ve loved seeing this side of him. Oh, and the Dwarves have arrived to aid their Elven friends. Elrond enthusiastically approaches one Dwarf, asking if he’s Durin. The Dwarf solemnly informs Elrond that Durin is in mourning. Gil-galad and Arondir observe from afar as Galadriel falls.
At the same time, Glûg approaches Sauron, updating the latter on the battle below. The Dwarves and Elves now have the upper hand. Perhaps it’s time to retreat while some Orcs still breathe. Sauron stabs Glûg in the chest, killing him. RIP. I hope his wife and child are still alive.
Healing Galadriel
Later, Arondir and Gil-galad rush to Galadriel’s side, who’s not doing so hot. Gil-galad reveals this isn’t merely a flesh wound, but the darkness infiltrating her body drains her immortal spirit. He uses Vilya to heal her. Elrond steps in when this doesn’t work, slipping on Nenya to save his friend.
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Next, in Rhûn, Nori, Poppy, Merimac (Gavi Singh Chera), the Gund (Tanya Moodie) and the other Stoors try to repair the damage in the aftermath of Dark Wizard’s chaos. Poppy delivers moving words Sadoc Burrows once said to her after her family died. Sometimes, what’s broken cannot be fixed. A montage plays out, featuring Durin, Disa, Narvi and the Dwarves mourning Durin III. Theo watches in anger as Kemen and his host take over Pelargir. Isildur departs for Númenor on a ship as Estrid and Hagen (Gabriel Akuwudike) stay behind. Side note: Where’s Berek? Elrond leads the survivors of Eregion to safety.
Elsewhere, Míriel stands in wrist shackles before Belzagar as he reads from a scroll. Pharazôn sits behind him. Elendil fulfills his vision of himself in the palantír as he rides away from Númenor, heading for the West. After Poppy’s speech, we see our Harfoots bid farewell to The Stranger. Merimac and the Gund thank the “Grand Elf” as the Stoors embark on their first migration. Nori decides to leave with them to offer assistance. She tearfully tells The Stranger it’s time to follow her path.
What’s in a Name
After Nori, Poppy and the Stoors depart, The Stranger discovers his staff. He returns to Tom Bombadil’s (Rory Kinnear) home. Tom smiles as The Stranger realizes this was the test — he was supposed to forgo going on his quest to save his friends and to find his staff. Tom corrects The Stranger, stating that a wizard’s staff is supposed to find him … just like his name. “Gandalf,” The Stranger says. “That’s what they’re going to call me, isn’t it?” The pair sit down to sing the “Old Tom Bombadil Reprise.” Now, the song can begin. The Dark Wizard seemingly watches from afar.
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Later, Narvi informs Disa and Durin about Elrond leading the Elf survivors out of Eregion. Durin orders Narvi to ensure the Elves know of Khazad-dûm’s support. Disa reminds her husband that they have more pressing matters. Durin’s father demanded the other Dwarf-lords pay tribute in gold in exchange for the seven Dwarf rings of power. However, now they’re ordering Khazad-dûm to return the favor. Additionally, Durin’s brother gathers support to lay claim to the throne. Durin will have to fight to become king.
Then, Galadriel wakes up after convalescing from her Sauron-inflicted injury. She’s glowing like the Lady of Light she is. Gil-galad, Arondir and Elrond are at her side. Elrond reassures her they’re safe in a sanctuary made possible by the three Elven rings. This is clearly what’ll later become Rivendell.
The Sword
Gil-galad reveals that Sauron is poised to have all Middle-earth under his thumb. Should they retaliate or withdraw to gather strength? “So, it’s the sword or the shield,” Galadriel replies. Arondir asks Galadriel what she would do. She relays what Celebrimbor told her about how only light can stamp out darkness. Our quartet approaches the group of survivors, who await their orders. Gil-galad unsheathes his sword, raising it above his head. The Elves cheer.
It’s time to fight back.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on Prime Video.
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