The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power 2×04 “Eldest” has hit a snag with me. Because I’ve been patient with this show. Sometimes maybe a little bit too patient. And it’s all because I had hope that there was a plan. But we’ve come to the point where we’re already midway through season 2, and I’m not seeing the payout that I expected from the clear buildup that I am seeing. This leads me to believe that as much as I love The Rings of Power, it’s a bit over-stuffed. That has led to some of the problems we have now, but not all. And we need to talk about how they need to course correct now before losing the whole plot.
A lot of what we know when it comes to The Lord of the Rings is grounded in friendship. For example the friendships between Aragorn and Legolas, Legolas and Gimli, and Bilbo and Gandalf. These were all great friendships that grounded their individual storylines. And because their friendships were so strong, you focused more on them than the actual plot, leading to forgiveness when something was a little bit too grand or you didn’t understand it. Because it was always about friendship first and plot second. That’s not the case with The Rings of Power. The more that I watch, the more that I realize that plot comes first and then friendship. And it’s to their detriment.
Looking back to season 1, I was told about Galadriel and Elrond’s friendship. I wasn’t shown it. But I was told about it. And they spent so much time apart that I thought that the time they would be spending in season 2 would show that friendship beyond the real tension that was brewing in season 1. In season 2, I’m not seeing that friendship. And of course I’m here for plot development. That’s why I’ve been so patient. But in 2×04 “Eldest,” this is where that friendship should have shined. This is where Elrond should have seen Galadriel giving him the ring as a step in the right direction where she put faith in him and her abilities above what the ring has done or can do. Instead, he took it as her trying to protect the ring above loyalty to each other. And it was the wrong move.
In 2×04, Elrond didn’t annoy me until the very end. Because I also would have been a little snappy with Galadriel if I was the leader and she was clearly coming for my job. Or getting snappy with me about my job after doing a bunch of sneaky stuff to use rings created with the help of Sauron to save our people or suddenly siding with The King when you were lying to his face too but changed your mind when he had your back suddenly. I also would have questioned Galadriel using the ring to influence their journey to stop Sauron. Keeping that all in mind, a great leader is only as strong as the trust he puts in those he leads. If he didn’t trust Galadriel completely, that’s okay. But she’s still your friend and lieutenant. And it’s like you didn’t hear anything that the hot elf that had the beard said. Because you shut Galadriel down instead of being there to help guide her because she’s your friend in a tough spot.
Flashback to season 1 again, I also remember that The Rings of Power made a big deal about Elrond and Durin’s friendship. Elrond hadn’t seen Durin for a very long time and Durin was mad. Elrond was given another chance and I thought The Rings of Power would build on that. But in 2×04 I realized that they let that drop. They let that friendship drop. And they’re letting the friendship between Galadriel and Elrond drop too. That leads me to believe that what I thought was the strongest part of the show is the weakest. Friendship and the relationships between everyone should be the guiding light of this show like it’s always been for this franchise. But it’s faltering right now.
The only shining light in “Eldest” for me when it comes to friendships are what’s happening with Arondir and Isildur and The Stranger, Nori, and Poppy. And the latter three are becoming a problem at the moment because they still don’t feel like they’re part of the story. I don’t know where they fit in and what their journeys are going to contribute to the grand scheme of things. And it’s got to the point where a part of me wishes they would have saved the introduction of The Stranger and the Harfoots for season 2. That would have given us more space to develop the elves, who are a little too high and mighty for my tasting.
Going back to Arondir and Isildur, I especially like the bond between them in 2×04. Both of them are clearly going through things but they have each other’s back and it shows. And even the introduction of their new friend Estrid, she had more depth than Elrond has had this entire run. None of us know what we would do if put into such an impossible situation and had no one to help us survive. I wanted to know more about her, about Isildur’s loneliness, and about Arondir’s grief and continuous drive to keep going for Bronwyn’s son. Because there’s depth there. And Arondir and Isildur are the only ones that truly remind me of how much I loved the friendship between Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli. They were a light that helped guide each other through tumultuous times.
And finally, there’s Tom Bombadil. His introduction and way of looking at things, also left me a little bereft about what they’re doing with the elves. Because even he had more depth and understanding. He’s been around for a very long time and that gives you a different perspective about the world. You can’t just fix everything because there will always be one problem after the other. So you’re realistic and help guide those who maybe are better capable at it than yourself. Maybe he will biff it in the next episode, who knows. But I liked him even if Rory Kinnear absolutely terrifies me after his role in that movie Men. If you haven’t watched it, you should because I can’t erase the terror that I felt in that movie when it came to him.
All together, I’m not going to give up on The Rings of Power after 2×04. I’m going to continue watching and supporting because I do love this show and the world created. But loving something also means calling them out when they’re faltering or lacking. Right now, The Rings of Power is on the cusp for me. I hope they change course and prove my doubts wrong. Because they’ve got great material to work with and I really really talented cast. But at the moment The Rings of Power 2×04 “Eldest” is giving overstuffed without its greatest guiding light, friendship, not being present as much as it should be.
And before you leave, don’t forget to check out Prime Video’s inside look at episode 2×04 below!
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power drops new episodes every Thursday on Prime Video.
