Welcome back to The Beat‘s breakdown of season three of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Prime Video’s prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien‘s novel, depicting the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron thousands of years before the events of the book and films. The first four (of eight) episodes are available now, so join us for a mix of recap and review of each chapter, sharing our thoughts as a Middle-earth devotee on their merits, flaws, and how they engage with Tolkien’s themes and ideas; in other words, spoilers.
“Gundabad” (written by Justin Doble, directed by Sanaa Hamri):
Sauron embarks for Gundabad on the back of a fell beast, while feeding the Orc who’s been at his side for much of the season to it. The Dark Lord claims they used to be giant eagles until his predecessor Morgoth got their hands on them, which is not an idea found in the source material, although the 2002 Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game had stated Sauron bred fell beasts “in mockery” of the eagles, ala Treebeard’s claim in the book that Trolls were made in mockery of Ents. It feels odd given the eagles are meant to be messengers of the Valar leader Manwë, but its design here certainly looks more like a featherless bird than the more reptilian breed seen in the films.
The episode also checks in on Lindon, where Elrond joins Gil-galad and Círdan. He looks especially tired, after having had to kill 16 Orcs en route. Gil-galad tells his young friend that he contacted Pharazôn for help, but he declined, citing his own problems. Elrond tells him he must appeal to the king’s ego by petitioning him in-person, while Círdan suggests Elrond go along, citing his familial ties to Númenor’s royalty. Gil-galad is very lucky to have two advisors good enough to persuade him to “debase” himself this way.
In Númenor, where the captive Elendil asks Kemen about the rumors regarding his parentage. Kemen discloses he is illegitimate, and that his father murdered his mother to gain custody of him. It was an unexpected reveal, to say the least, although it does explain what actually happened to her, and why Pharazôn is now openly dating courtesans. Elendil, as virtuous as ever, tells Kemen he deserves better than to continue to curry favor with such a cruel father.
Anárion shows up with several disguised Faithful to intercept their carriage, ensuring Elendil doesn’t spend another season in prison, but stops short of killing Kemen after his father intervenes. This is not the first time Elendil’s ordered someone to spare Kemen while they have their blade at his throat (it’s how he wound up murdering Valandil), but like the says, whether he truly deserves pity is a matter for the Valar; right now he’s more useful as a prisoner.
Besides the titular Orc dungeon, the majority of the runtime is in Khazad-dûm, where the Dwarves are angry at King Durin for drawing Sauron’s ire. Thráin forces Narvi to admit his father named Durin his heir while he was wearing the Ring, and not of sound mind, meaning the king must now defend his title in a trial by combat. Thráin tells Disa he will only relinquish his claim to the throne if they give him the Dwarven Rings, and suggests he could also tell her husband about their brief dalliance.
Realizing she must come clean, Disa confesses to Durin that she cheated on him during a brief period when they’d fallen out, over a row regarding an “ale-smith’s daughter.” It happened shortly before they reconciled and he proposed, meaning it became more difficult to reveal the truth as time went on. It feels questionable revealing one of the few women of color on the show engaged in infidelity, even if it sounds like Durin himself wasn’t exactly being faithful. Still, it’s as sincere and heartfelt as anything in the Dwarves’ story.
Unfortunately, during the trial by combat, Gamli reveals to Durin that he saw Thráin trying to flirt with Disa, sending his father into a blind rage over his brother’s continued advances, that causes him to lose the fight. First of all, way to endear you to us Gamli. Secondly, it feels farcial in a way the Dwarven story has not until now: infidelity is a very Arthurian trope, but it feels more like a soap opera here. Rings of Power had done a great job of not making the Dwarves feel silly before this, which is easier said than done given how comical they look, so it’s a shame.
In Gundabad, Marnûkh hands over Galadriel and Arondir (a little too convincingly) to the other Orc jailers. He and Arondir discover Maitalle has died, but make another unexpected find: Celeborn, who’s been trying to escape the prison for centuries. His long-awaited return is undercut by a very modern joke, where Arondir responds on being told his name with, “Who?” It is amusing, but Arondir would’ve probably said something more along the lines of, “I’m afraid I have not heard of you.”
Likewise, Celeborn’s response, “Army of Doriath. Fought under King Thingol. Then perhaps you know Captain Erestor?” sounds like he’s saying, “I’m kind of a big deal,” and Elf ears or not, the gag where he only goes downstairs after hearing Marnûkh drop Galadriel’s name feels so fast it could’ve used another take. But his reunion with Galadriel is very sweet, if similarly hurried with the need to escape the prison as Sauron and three of the Nazgnagôl arrive.
Marnûkh stages a breakout, while Galadriel looses a beacon that draws the slumbering eagle Landroval (Gwaihir’s brother), although as anyone who’s ever asked “Why didn’t the eagles take the Ring to Mordor?” sees, Orc arrows still prove very hazardous for the great raptor. The Elves manage to clear the landing, and are ready to take Marnûkh with them, only for the Orc to be knocked aside by a Ring-servant.
The Ring-servant unmasks, revealing himself to be Theo. This was expected after the previous episode hid his face, but it’s still heartbreaking to see this boy Arondir cared so much for has become a thrall of the Dark Lord. Arondir nearly breaks through him, but Sauron himself appears and almost flippantly orders Theo to kill him. Galadriel screams in horror, but Celeborn pushes her onto Landroval before she can do anything rash, and they escape.
I had hoped Arondir would make it to the Battle of the Last Alliance. We had followed him since the first episode, and he never even got a costume change. It’s tragic, seeing Sauron make the boy he loved like a son murder him: it makes you genuinely hate him in a way you’ve never felt before. It was one thing watching him kill characters he was described as doing so in the book; it’s another seeing him take away an original character you’d wished all the best for.
See you next week for episodes 5-6, and as always, namárië.
