The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 episode 6 “Where Is He?” was probably the messiest episode yet. Not only because The Rings are manipulating the dwarves, an army of orcs is now attacking the elven city of Eregion, or that big sea worm that the Queen Regent Míriel faced. This was the messiest episode because it showed that Sauron’s greatest power is emotional manipulation and gaslighting. And it’s a little too real.
Since the very beginning, Sauron has been presented as someone who used brute force to destroy his enemies. And if there’s anything that was made clear in this episode, it’s that it’s that soft power that is the truly malicious for the “Dark Lord.” In a lot of ways Sauron reminded me of those toxic boyfriend stories that you sometimes hear on Reddit. He’s kind and sweet at the beginning of the relationship. It makes you feel like you’re special and he’s the one. And before you know it, he’s got you doubting yourself and is poisoning those around you to believe that you are unwell. By the time you realize something is truly wrong in this relationship, it’s too late. And the only solution is to tear it down and pray that you have the strength to survive and some people that still believe in you. That’s Celebrimbor and Sauron.
I like how episode 6 showed a little bit more of Sauron’s powers as well. Until now I feel like it’s been a little vague as to what he’s capable of when it comes to his powers. In “Where Is He?” he was a little bit more direct about the illusions he can create. I do think that it works against the show to present his powers in such a manner so late in the game. The show should have had him dropping more obvious signs of his powers from the very start. Because yes, I love Charlie Vickers looking at the camera with a little smirk on his face like it’s all going according to plan, but that’s not enough. They needed to show me that he had a 10-step plan a little more directly. Because Galadriel helped us kind of figure it out at the end there with it also being a trap for the orcs. But again, that’s not enough.
Speaking of Galadriel, I really like the time that she spent with Adar. The way that she was sitting was giving main character energy and any dark fantasy would eat these two up in finding a romance. I also really like how Adar pointed out that the elves are walking straight into Sauron’s plan with their continuous need to prove their virtue. This is something that I have always found annoying about the elves and I didn’t know how to express it until now. It’s the same way that I feel for the Jedi over in Star Wars. At the same time, Adar is just as proud as Galadriel and didn’t listen to his own advice when she spit it out right back at him on how the orcs attacking Eregion was also part of Sauron’s plan.
Away from the elven city, the dwarves are also having a really messy time. The King is becoming a tyrant with this insatiable love for gold and wealth. He won’t listen to his own son and he’s demanding so much of his people. And of course, the only one talking sense and supporting Durin is the queen of my heart, Disa. These two partnered up, with Disa showing true strength and power. And the look that Durin gave her, will be forever imprinted on my brain. They are romance personified and I really wish that we had more time with them and got to see how their relationship came to be or who their children are in the grand scope of things.
Even further away, is Numenor. They’re the only part of The Rings of Power episode 6 that is giving Game of Thrones. And I stopped watching that show for a reason. The only saving grace with Numenor was Elendiel and Miriel. Not Elendiel and his annoying daughter. Even he clocked that she was a disappointment. But Elendiel and the Queen were giving epic romance. And I love that Pharazon is absolutely seething that Miriel took Elendiel’s place, faced the great sea worm, and survived. He really tried to play the citizens of Numenor by using their own laws. Jokes on him now because his messy self cannot dismiss what happened with Miriel. And the news of her triumph will change the trajectory of what comes next.
And finally there is The Stranger and Poppy & Nori. I really love that Poppy is getting a chance to explore a romance. That’s cute and she deserves some happiness. Nevertheless, I do think that the inclusion of the Harfoots and The Stranger are overstuffing the show. And then there’s another dark wizard too?! It’s just too much. And I still don’t know how they fit into the bigger picture of it all. By this point we should know that. It’s only made worse that Tom Bombadil continues to speak in riddles while The Stranger has visions of Nori being hurt. Would it kill them to be a little bit more straightforward? I think it would. And with a show as heavy as The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, not being straightforward and making people guess what’s going on, ultimately costs Prime Video viewers.
And before you leave, don’t forget to check out Prime Video’s inside look at episode 2×06 below!
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power drops new episodes every Thursday on Prime Video.
