The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power 2×03 “The Eagle and the Sceptre” delved into grief while making it clear that this show is also a human political drama. Sure, Sauron is out there making his fancy jewelry to control the masses. But there are others who want power, just on a smaller scale and on an island. And they don’t care if they have to throw family under the bus to get a pretty eagle to screech at them.
Arondir and Theo Grieving Bronwyn
It speaks to the caliber of Ismael Cruz Cordova’s acting that I could immediately clock that there was something wrong with Arondir when he first appeared on screen. He was already closed off in season 1. But that’s just elves. They hold things close to their chest and make very calculated decisions. But around Bronwyn, he was a changed elf. There was a gentleness there as if he wanted to grow and explore different facets of himself and the world around him through her eyes and that of her sons. And now in season 2 we know that Bronwyn has died, leaving Arondir broken and a little bit directionless. He’s not the only one that’s going through grief.
Theo is rightfully angry. He has a father that he knows nothing about and a mother who died after defending their people. This is what I kept telling myself when he was getting sassy with Arondir. Grief makes you say stupid things and he feels like his entire world has collapsed around him. So why not just let everything else collapse including his relationship with Arondir. And I really like how The Rings of Power 2×03 used small moments of other people’s journeys, like Isildur recounting the death of his mother, to show that he’s a scared and grieving kid. He just wants to have someone and he feels like everyone is gone. Now that he’s gone though, it will certainly give Arondir some focus. Because there’s no way that he’s going to let Theo brave this world by himself.
Despite the grief of it all, I am disappointed that The Rings of Power 2×03 decided to kill Bronwyn. They recast Adar like nothing. They could have done the same thing with Bronwyn. And it really rubs me the wrong way because we’ve seen women die to progress the story of men over and over again. Bronyn had heart and strength within her that surpassed being a prop for someone else’s grief. And I thought I was done being angry when Nazanin Boniadi announced her departure back in May of this year. I was wrong. At that time she said, “I made the choice not to return for season 2 of Rings of Power. This was unrelated to my subsequent decision to prioritize my advocacy.” So what happened? At this point I don’t think we’ll ever know because she just posted a photo of herself with a quote talking about ‘true happiness.’ She’s not going to dig back into this and why she left the show. But the fans will keep an eye out because they loved her and think her death was an injustice.
More People Falling for Sauron’s Garbage
In “Where the Stars Are Strange” I had absolute faith that Disa would see through Sauron’s garbage and come out on top. But just like Galadriel, saving her community comes first. And I can’t fault her or Durin for putting their doubts aside because of the hope Sauron undercover is offering. Because hope is the most powerful thing in any universe. It can lift you up, but it can fool you and make you ignore the doubts screaming in your face.
I do have to say though, Charlie Vicker’s is absolutely eating up this role. In “Where the Stars Are Strange” I noted that his Sauron was “menacing, disarming, patient, and terrifying.” And I see it again in “The Eagle and the Sceptre.” It’s giving temptation in a pretty package and a blonde wig. And he uses this guise to pretend to be innocent, helpful, and noble. But he isn’t. Instead he uses every opportunity to lure them in before trapping them in a cage he made. He did that when he stopped Celembrimbor and took the Mithriel to throw it in the kiln. Even put a little show on before hand like he was praying over it or something. He kind of was. But to control them and not bless them.
The Power Struggle in Númenor
Firstly, Eärien in The Rings of Power 2×03. It’s giving “white woman tears.” She walks onto the scene, knows nothing, and goes and makes big sweeping accusations. And she’s so sure of herself and her tomfoolery that she doesn’t realize that she’s being played herself by Pharazôn and his little of followers. Because they don’t want to do what’s “best” for Númenor. They want power. Simple as can be. And he alongside Lord Belzagar and the incel Kemen are along for the ride.
Queen Regent Míriel is not the enemy here. And Pharazôn used the pain of the Númenor people to turn the tide against her. That right there is steeped in knowing how to play the game and take advantage of a situation. Doesn’t help that it has a sprinkling of sexist and ableism on top that you know he’s using to poison the minds of those in Númenor. It’s truly giving The Doctor on Doctor Who completely obliterating the Prime Minister’s career with a whispered, “Don’t you think she looks tired?” Except Pharazôn isn’t trying to help. He’s trying to control.
Looking at The Rings of Power as a whole, I’m really surprised with myself that I didn’t see the full scope of this political game happening in Númenor. At one point I even though that Pharazôn cared for Míriel. But I was fooled. And it couldn’t come at a worse time when I see reflects of our real world within this one. There are people in our world who use fear to incite anger and division. It’s something we can’t escape and can only stop if we fight back, a lesson that TV teaches us quite often when the hero rises once more and saves the day. The only thing is that Númenor isn’t going to rise at the end of this story. It’s going to sink.
And before you leave, don’t forget to check out Prime Video’s inside look at episode 2×03 below!
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power drops new episodes every Thursday on Prime Video.
