DISCLAIMER: This recap of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 2, “Where the Stars Are Strange,” contains spoilers. Proceed at your peril.
Episode two brings us back to Khazad-dûm, laying the stone groundwork for the Dwarven storyline’s major conflict. “Where the Stars Are Strange” formally introduces the Dark Wizard and Annatar, Sauron’s latest disguise. Side note: I’m thoroughly convinced that Sauron buys his bullsh*t about controlling the minds of everyone in Middle-earth for their own good. He also believes he is Annatar and Halbrand when he’s in character — a true method actor. Someone get this Dark Lord his Oscar.
“Where the Stars Are Strange” is another entertaining, immersive and fun outing that moves steadily, narrative-wise. The title feels like a nod to the late Sadoc Burrows, too.
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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 2, “Where the Stars Are Strange”
We open on Khazad-dûm, wherein Durin (Owain Arthur) and Disa (Sophia Nomvete) shop in a marketplace. Disa asks if Durin has spoken to his father, King Durin III. Durin believes it’s not on him to take the initiative; his dad can apologize for disowning him. Disa crouches on the ground, sensing something catastrophic on the horizon. She orders everyone in the marketplace to get down as part of the mountain crumbles around them. One massive fragment breaks a bridge. More chunks of rock knock the light shafts out of place, causing Khazad-dûm to go dark. Uh-oh.
Later, Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) whispers, “These lands shall bear you sweet blossoms once more” in Quenya while planting seeds before her brother Finrod’s memorial in Lindon. Suddenly, Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) arrives, to Galadriel’s surprise. He tells her he’s had “an unexpected visitor.” It dawns on Galadriel that Sauron has infiltrated Eregion. We hear Sauron whisper her name.
Then, tree roots shoot toward Celebrimbor, wrapping around him. “Are these not the seeds you planted?” he asks Galadriel. He recites The Lord of the Rings epigraph as the roots make him part of the tree. They even stab him in the chest. Clearly, this is a nightmare. After this, High King Gil-Galad (Benjamin Walker) tries to get Galadriel’s attention during a critical meeting. Gil-Galad has intel regarding Sauron’s whereabouts. The Dark Lord was last seen entering Mordor.
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Veil of Evil
So, Gil-Galad and Galadriel figure out how to access Mordor to kill two birds with one stone: Sauron and Adar. Galadriel warns Gil-Galad that a “veil of evil” closes in on Celebrimbor. They must travel to Eregion. She admits she’s had visions of the unseen world courtesy of Nenya, her ring. Gil-Galad confesses the same. His ring, Vilya, has given him images of mountains crumbling (Khazad-dûm?), waters running dry and black clouds gathering over white towers (Eregion?).
Galadriel volunteers to head to Eregion to face Sauron. Gil-Galad believes this is unwise; Galadriel could still be under Sauron’s sway. He advises her not to confront the Deceiver alone. Galadriel suggests she take a team with her.
Let Him Wait
In Eregion, Mirdania (Amelia Kenworthy) informs Sauron (Charlie Vickers) that Lord Celebrimbor is too busy to see him. However, Sauron decides to wait until Celebrimbor can pencil him in. He’s immortal; he has all the time in the world. Mirdania notices the wounds on his back from Waldreg’s beatings.
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Inside the forge, Mirdania informs Celebrimbor about Sauron’s refusal to leave. She notes his injuries. Perhaps they should help him. Celebrimbor believes they should leave him be. Galadriel insisted he shouldn’t treat with “Halbrand.” Plus, he’s waiting for news from Lindon regarding the rings’ efficacy. Then, we see Gil-Galad’s riders in the forest. They’re dead, and someone is dragging them away with chains. Gil-Galad’s letter of warning regarding Halbrand/Sauron will now go undelivered.
The Dark Wizard
Meanwhile, in Rhûn, a spy with news of The Stranger arrives at the Dark Wizard’s (Ciarán Hinds) fortress. Notice the eye on the banners. What could that mean, I wonder? The Dark Wizard summons The Dweller (Birdie Sisson), one of his best acolytes who The Stranger defeated last season. He asks her for an update. She informs him that Sauron has taken a new form to deceive his enemies. Meanwhile, the Istar (The Stranger) is lost and vulnerable. Dark Wizard believes they should reach him before he learns to harness his powers.
The spy speaks his piece, claiming he can defeat The Stranger even though he’s mortal. He’ll simply threaten to kill “the two halflings” if The Stranger doesn’t go with him. Dark Wizard smiles at this.
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Next, The Stranger (Daniel Weyman), Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and Poppy (Megan Richards) are, indeed, lost despite following Sadoc’s pages. After Nori finds them food, they hear hooves. Our trio hides as the Dark Wizard’s spies and scavengers search the area. Once they depart, The Stranger suggests they find a new trail so their enemies can’t continue following them. Fortunately, a fresh trail lay untrod before them.
Stone Singing
In Khazad-dûm, King Durin (Peter Mullan) summons Disa and two stone singers to work their musical magic on the mountain. Narvi (Kevin Eldon) delivers an update regarding the collapsing mountain: they lost light shafts and bridges. They can’t grow food without the light shafts, so they need to dig to install new ones. That’s where Disa and the stone singers come in — the mountain will tell them where to dig.
Unfortunately, while the trio makes beautiful music, their powerful voices cause more mini avalanches within the mountain. Durin realizes the stone singers have lost their touch. Before Disa leaves in disappointment, Durin asks her about his son. Disa urges him to initiate a reconciliation; however, like father, like son, the king refuses to bend.
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Meanwhile, Durin (the former prince) struggles in the mines with his fellow Dwarves. They bully him for not working the mines during his cozy, royal upbringing. Later, during dinner, Disa and Durin butt heads over, well, life. Disa’s having an understandable existential crisis after her stone singing failed, while Durin isn’t doing well among the common folk. But you know what? They’ll get through this. They’re Disa and Durin (aka my favorite couple).
Join Me
Later, Galadriel finds Elrond (Robert Aramayo) in the Grey Havens, working hard at constructing a ship. Galadriel wants him to join her team as they travel to Eregion to protect Celebrimbor. Elrond is still irritated with her for putting on the ring. He emphasizes that these three rings are corrupted. They won’t save Middle-earth; they’ll be its downfall.
Plus, it’s abundantly clear that Galadriel’s pride prevented her from seeing who Halbrand really was. She’s under his influence. Elrond refuses to accompany her. I like this new Emo Elrond. After his tense conversation with Galadriel, Elrond reunites with Círdan (Ben Daniels), who has been thriving since putting on Narya, his ring. For starters, he looks younger. Círdan insists that these rings are a boon for the Elves and Middle-earth. However, if Elrond is so worried about his friends, he should try to help them. And perhaps open his eyes to the possibilities.
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Then, in the desert, The Stranger pulls a severely dehydrated Nori and Poppy on a sled of sorts. He collapses from heat exhaustion. Thankfully, Poppy spots a well nearby. She and Nori run toward it, scooping up water to give to The Stranger. It revives him. After he wakes, a wooden staff, not unlike the one from his dreams, materializes before the well. The Stranger grabs it.
The Sandstorm
Suddenly, the Dark Wizard’s spies and scavengers return. Unfortunately, they see our trio. Nori and Poppy crouch behind the well while The Stranger confronts them with his staff. He smacks it on the ground, channeling his powers through it. His immense but uncontrolled abilities cause a massive sandstorm. The sandstorm successfully sends their foes backward. However, it also sends Nori and Poppy flying upward after they lose their grip. The Stranger screams out for them as they fly away.
Later, in Eregion, Celebrimbor shows Mirdania Ithildin, his latest creation, crafted from a silver of mithril. It’s enchanted to only appear under the moonlight or starlight. It’s invisible otherwise. Mirdania wonders if they should let Sauron inside as storm clouds gather. We see Sauron in the same spot, waiting. Darkness envelops his features.
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Once it starts raining, Celebrimbor greets Sauron with an umbrella that’s as counterproductive for keeping him dry as wearing an apple on his head. The apple might fare better, though. It could be a magical apple. Anyway, Sauron gives Celebrimbor an update on the three rings. He’s happy to report that they’ve successfully saved the Elves and Lindon. Celebrimbor is thrilled.
Sauron turns to depart, admitting he doesn’t want to stay where he’s unwelcome. Celebrimbor, riding high on the news that his creation made an impact, invites Sauron inside the forge.
More Rings
Then, Celebrimbor grabs a wine from the First Age, which he’d been saving for a special occasion. Sauron believes they should continue on this ring kick. Why not make rings for men next? Celebrimbor balks at this, declaring that men are too corrupt.
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Sauron switches tactics, revealing his “true” nature to Celebrimbor. He asks if they’re friends, and Celebrimbor enthusiastically confirms their friendship. After all, they forged rings together. Sauron confesses he’s not who Celebrimbor thinks he is. He’s not the King of the Southlands. In fact, he’s not from the Southlands (now Mordor) at all. Hell, he’s not even mortal.
Our Dark Lord hints he’s a messenger of sorts from the Valar. Celebrimbor is incredulous until Sauron suddenly vanishes as the wind slams the doors shut. Celebrimbor’s wine bottle smashes on the floor. The lights from candles and torches flicker off. The fire in the fireplace also dies out.
Meet Annatar
Celebrimbor hears Sauron’s voice as he walks toward said fireplace. A bright, blinding light shines from it. Sauron emerges in his new disguise — as Annatar, the Lord of Gifts. “Annatar” vows to help Celebrimbor solidify his legacy and leave behind works to ensure he’ll be known as the greatest smith of all time. He’ll be more than a scion of Fëanor. Together, they’ll create more rings to save Middle-earth from the forces of darkness.
Man, we’ve got Annatar and Aemond Targaryen. What a banner year for fantasy men with long, straight blonde hair and chaotic personalities. Drop the hair care line, kings.
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Then, Gil-Galad informs Galadriel that Elrond is back in the picture. However, he’ll be leading their Eregion team, not Galadriel. In Khazad-dûm, Durin and Disa receive a letter from Celebrimbor, ushering them to Eregion. You get a ring; you get a ring; you all get rings!
The first three episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 are now streaming on Prime Video. After that, weekly releases will be on Thursdays.
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