The second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power races towards its climax with the penultimate episode. Last week’s episode concluded with a fiery and devastating attack on the elves of Eregion. Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) succumbed to Sauron’s (Charlie Vickers) deceptive hallucination, forcing Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) into an unlikely alliance with Adar (Sam Hazeldine). Meanwhile, in Numenor, the ocean chose its queen. This week’s episode, “Doomed to Die,” promises an action-packed hour.

Sauron’s Influence

Celebrimbor clings to a delusion convinced that all is well in Eregion as he continues forging the Rings of Power, even as war rages around him. He completes the nine rings for Men, but their creation takes a heavy toll on his mind.

Throughout this, his bond with Annatar/Sauron seems to deepen, transcending mere manipulation. They share genuine moments of friendship and camaraderie. Yet, a sinister undercurrent persists. Sauron subtly fuels the fires of the siege, even as he enjoys Celebrimbor’s company.

Tension builds with every interaction. Celebrimbor becomes aware of a repeating time loop, which Annatar readily admits is his doing. In a surge of defiance, Celebrimbor breaks Sauron’s spell. The illusion shatters, revealing Sauron’s true form. He has used his own blood to bind the nine rings to himself, further corrupting them.

Celebrimbor’s deteriorating mental state, juxtaposed with Sauron’s masterful deception of the Eregion elves, serves as a powerful allegory for the rise of dictatorships. History has shown that dictators often ascend to power through charisma and persuasive rhetoric. Sauron’s skillful manipulation mirrors this pattern, providing a chillingly accurate depiction of how evil can cloak itself in charm and promises.

Doomed to Die – Eregion Falls

Elrond proves himself to be an impressive tactician as well as a skilled warrior. Even elves who aren’t specifically trained for combat must possess some tactical knowledge, having lived for centuries. One would imagine they’d pick up a few skills simply out of boredom.

Disa and Durin stand guard at the mine entrance, while the other dwarves begin to realize the extent of the ring’s control over their king. This season finally brings Elrond and Durin together on screen. Their friendship was arguably the heart of the first season, and witnessing its resurgence is a joy to behold. Elrond seeks Durin’s aid in the fight against the orcs.

The orcs breach Eregion, forcing the elves into a desperate ground battle. When Elven reinforcements arrive, Adar halts Elrond by revealing a captive Galadriel. He attempts to leverage her to obtain Galadriel’s ring. Elrond and Galadriel’s farewell exchange is both touching and poignant. Despite the audience’s awareness of their survival, the actors effectively convey fear, heartbreak, and tension. Elrond seizes the opportunity to slip Galadriel something that will facilitate her escape.

Durin delivers a rousing speech to rally his warriors. The dwarves march to Eregion’s aid. This would be a welcome sight, except the king has descended into madness and begins slaughtering his own people to reach the mine.

Dissent stirs among the orcs. Adar willingly sacrifices his own troops to the elves in his pursuit of Sauron. The orcs begin to question his leadership and loyalty. This exchange effectively humanizes the orcs, revealing them to be more than mindless killing machines. It’s refreshing to see this depth added to their characters.

Sauron displays his power over the flesh, forcing Elven warriors to kill each other when they attempt to capture him.

The episode concludes with the elves still embroiled in battle. Hundreds of orcs face a mere 25 surviving elves. The wall of Eregion falls, and Arondir appears to have perished. As the elves face slaughter and Elrond grapples with a crisis of faith when Durin fails to arrive, Adar concludes the episode in possession of Galadriel’s ring.

This season has consistently improved with each episode. The escalating tension across each faction is a testament to the show’s exceptional writing. “Doomed To Die” masterfully weaves together the season’s various plot threads. While some loose ends remain, hopefully, the season finale will provide resolution.