DISCLAIMER: This recap of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 6, “Where Is He?” contains spoilers. Proceed at your peril.
Episode six really kicks things into high gear. Multiple storylines reach their respective turning points in the overarching narrative as Eregion braces itself for battle. And that cliffhanger! Methinks the next two episodes will be high-octane, action-packed affairs. Charlie Vickers, Charles Edwards and Owain Arthur deliver stirring, nuanced and occasionally heartbreaking performances. Vickers is Sauron — manipulative, snakelike and a true gaslighter. Arthur’s emotional turn as Durin when he struggles to turn on his father tugs at the heartstrings.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, “Where Is He?”
We open with Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova) running through the forest. He effortlessly slays a few Orcs after eavesdropping on their conversation. Apparently, the Orcs aren’t happy about Adar pursuing Sauron, who they believe to be dead. Arondir grabs a map from one of the Orcs, detailing the layout for Eregion.
Meanwhile, in Eregion, Celebrimbor (Edwards) wonders why the mithril won’t bond with the ore used to make the nine rings for men. He asks for more mithril, but Mirdania (Amelia Kenworthy) reveals their dispatches to the Dwarves have gone unanswered. Not only that, but the Dwarves are late in delivering said mithril. “Must I do everything myself?” Celebrimbor rants. Then, he forgets Mirdania’s name. Annatar, aka Sauron (Vickers), urges the smiths to take a break while he chats with Celebrimbor.
The smiths have noted that Celebrimbor is quick to anger and forgetful. He even forgets that his creasing hammer is right beside him. Sauron reassures Celebrimbor, noting that he’s so engrossed in important work that it’s challenging to readjust to normal life. Sauron reveals that the citizens of Eregion have pressing matters they wish to present to their lord. Celebrimbor can’t shirk his duties. However, Sauron offers to serve in Celebrimbor’s stead and visit Khazad-dûm to ask the Dwarves about their delayed mithril shipment. What a kind and helpful Dark Lord!
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Overworked
Next, Mirdania and the others ask Sauron about Celebrimbor. Sauron states that good ole Brimby is too preoccupied with his work. It’s left him diminished. All they can do is hope Brimby comes out on the other side soon. In the meantime, they must allow Celebrimbor to work alone. Mirdania shows Sauron a dead man with words carved into his chest. Sauron knows what this means. He orders the guards to bury the body ASAP. Then, Sauron ventures to the balcony to observe the treeline across the river. He knows Adar and the Orcs are coming.
Later, Adar (Sam Hazeldine) and Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) trade stories about Sauron’s pervasive influence and what he promised them. Sauron won’t stop until he has all the peoples of Middle-earth under his thumb. Adar believes he and Galadriel can work together to defeat our Dark Lord. He knows that Sauron is hiding in Eregion and that he’s actually — wait for it — Halbrand. Now, the fate of Eregion rests on Galadriel’s ability to put aside her pride and join forces with her foe to defeat a shared enemy.
Míriel 4Eva
Meanwhile, in Númenor, Ar-Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle) reveals that the punishment for treason is death. However, he’ll spare Elendil (Lloyd Owen) if the latter swears fealty to him. Elendil disavows his actions but refuses to bend the knee. He only accepts Tar-Míriel as the true ruler of Númenor. We love our feminist ElenDILF. After the guards escort Elendil back to his cell, Lord Belzagar (Will Keen) suggests they punish Elendil as the Faithful would — by letting the Valar decide his fate. Eärien (Ema Horvath) glimpses a rendering of a formidable sea creature, which is part of this test.
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In Rhûn, The Stranger (Daniel Weyman) glimpses terrifying visions of Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and Poppy (Megan Richards). Our Harfoot gals are in trouble. Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear) offers to show The Stranger how to put out the coming fire if the latter stays the course. They depart Tom’s home.
Then, in the Stoor village, Gundabale (Tanya Moodie) tells Nori about spending her life here. Nori urges the Stoors to run for the hills to escape the Dark Wizard. However, it’s not so easy for Gundabale and the Stoors to uproot their lives. They’re not migratory like the Harfoots. Moved by Gundabale’s speech about growing up in the village, Nori vows to turn herself in to save the Stoors, Poppy and The Stranger. Gundabale protests at this.
Stay and Fight
Meanwhile, Poppy and Merimac (Gavi Singh Chera) share their first kiss, and it’s super sweet. It’s a smooch tinged with lizard. Later, Poppy sides with Gundabale when chatting with Nori. By turning herself over to the Dark Wizard, she’s actually putting them in more danger. Poppy finally believes that The Stranger is important. He’ll save Middle-earth. So, our two besties decide to stay and fight.
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Then, Tom brings The Stranger to where the latter will find his staff. This is also where he took the Dark Wizard. The Stranger voices his concerns about Nori. He wants to protect his friend. Tom advises The Stranger to make a choice — either come into his own as an Istar and hone his abilities or save Nori. He won’t get this opportunity again. Tom leaves The Stranger alone in the desert to Eat, Pray, Love his way to his staff.
In Khazad-dûm, King Durin III (Peter Mullan) wants everyone mining for gold, going deeper into the mountain despite Prince Durin and Princess Disa’s warnings about a great evil residing in its depths. We see wagons full of gold surrounding his throne. Sauron arrives to ask for more mithril in exchange for sending the Dwarves timber for their expanded mining efforts. Prince Durin (Arthur) knows this “Annatar” can’t be trusted. I find it interesting that when the king denies Sauron, what looks like the Balrog appears in the flames beside our Dark Lord.
Take Off the Ring
After Sauron departs, the prince is thrilled that Daddy Durin hasn’t lost all his marbles. However, Durin III believes that since the world is going to war, they’ll need mithril weapons and armor that only Khazad-dûm can provide. Then, they can name their price. Prince Durin urges his father to remove his ring. When the king refuses, Durin tries to remove it physically. The king shoves his son backward with the power of the ring.
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After this, Durin tells Disa (Sophia Nomvete) what happened. Disa believes they must act quickly to save their kingdom. That man on the throne isn’t Durin’s dad anymore. Disa suggests they block the king’s mining efforts. Durin sobs, not wanting to harm his father or stand against him. I love this scene and these two.
Later, we hear soldiers blowing horns to summon the sea creature for Elendil’s test/potential execution. Eärien visits Elendil in his cell, begging him to swear fealty to Pharazôn. She pushes him to let go of his pride. They embrace as she weeps. Elendil counters that if all she takes away from his position is a matter of pride, he has nothing else to say. Eärien brings Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson), who urges Elendil to bow to Pharazôn. Elendil claims he must stand in his faith. If the Valar believes he’s worthy, the sea creature won’t consume him. I’m shipping these two so hard.
The Power of the Voice and the Valar’s Choice
Next, Disa prevents Narvi (Kevin Eldon) and the other Delvers from venturing deeper into the mountain. She belts out a tune to summon massive bats, which chase the Dwarves away. Durin tells Disa he loves her, and my heart melts. The pair realize if this method doesn’t work, they’ll have to take more drastic measures.
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Then, at Elendil’s test, Míriel volunteers to take the former’s place. After all, Elendil committed his “treason” in her name. Eärien informs Belzagar and Pharazôn that this is in line with the traditions of the Faithful. Pharazôn allows it. So, Míriel plunges into the sea, coming face-to-face with the imposing yet terrifying sea creature.
Belzagar is ready to declare Míriel a goner when she washes ashore, the waves spitting her back out. Belzagar pivots, stating she’s innocent. Elendil helps Míriel to her feet, declaring her the rightful ruler of Númenor. Pharazôn’s face says it all: Oh, sh*t.
After this, we see the vision Pharazôn witnessed in the palantír — the lava of Mount Doom, Sauron as Halbrand in Eregion, evil rising in Middle-earth. He looks simultaneously overwhelmed and irate.
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The Enemy of My Enemy
Later, Galadriel urges Adar to unlock her shackles, which he does. She informs him of the Elves’ plan to save Eregion and Middle-earth. Then, they’ll destroy the rings Sauron influenced. Galadriel adds that Elrond is already on his way to Lindon to warn High King Gil-galad about Sauron not being in Mordor. He also took her ring, Nenya, to Lindon.
Adar asks Galadriel how she can be sure the high king will let him and his children return to Mordor in peace when this is all over. Galadriel can’t answer that. Regardless, she believes Sauron may already have Eregion under his thumb.
Then, our Lord-Father of the Uruks shows Galadriel the countless legions of Orcs ready to invade Eregion. Galadriel realizes this is what Sauron wants — he longs for his enemies to lay waste to a city the Elves hold dear. Sauron can manipulate the Orcs to fight for him. They’re playing right into his hands. However, Adar refuses to listen, ordering Galadriel to be put in chains again.
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The Smell of Battle
The Orcs approach the bank of the river across from Eregion. The battle is nigh. Sauron watches this eagerly from his perch in the forge and slices the palm of his hand. Black blood pours from the wound. Celebrimbor overhears incessant shouting outside. Everyone is panicking as the siege alarm blares. Sauron threatens Celebrimbor to stay put. However, nobody puts Brimby in a corner. Sauron replies that if Celebrimbor doesn’t do as he’s told and finish the nine rings for men, everyone will know he’s responsible for Eregion’s downfall.
Brimby pushes Sauron aside and heads outside. Sauron orchestrates an intricate illusion to greet him. Celebrimbor sees a city square buzzing with vigor and joy. Everyone’s at peace. Sauron joins Celebrimbor outside, handing the latter his creasing hammer and a container of finely-grained mithril courtesy of Narvi. Sauron promises that Brimby will be written about in history books as the greatest smith of all time. History will look favorably on him for creating the rings of power.
One Last Time While Eregion Burns
Then, our Dark Lord gently persuades Brimby to go back inside, using the forge one last time to create rings that’ll last forever. Celebrimbor does as he’s bid while Sauron walks further into the city. We see the peaceful scene seamlessly transition to one of destruction and mayhem. The Orcs send fireballs over the river and into the city.
It’s fightin’ (not morphin’) time.
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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power streams new episodes every Thursday on Prime Video.
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