The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power, Season 2, Episode 5, “Halls of Stone” returns us to the dwarves, who hope to use their rings to reawaken their mountain. The last episode took us on a detour with the introduction of Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear), and we ended the episode with Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) being captured by Adar (Sam Hazeldine).

We open with a beautiful shot of the mountains and the world’s coolest transition into a shot of the dwarven rings, in the actual halls of stone. It was some truly great editing and cinematography. Durin (Owain Arthur) is still working in the mines of the mountain. We have seen what the elven rings do for the elves – enhanced prophetic and healing abilities. It seems that for the dwarves, their ability to “hear” or “feel” the mountain is heightened.

The king starts demolishing a load-bearing wall, but the light they seek floods in. Each ring resonates with a specific race, providing precisely what it needs. We clearly see how the dwarves’ greed led them to dig too deep.

Disa shines as the best character. She buys a tuning crystal for her daughter’s birthday, leading her and Durin to uncover the king’s tax hike on merchants. Disa then finds herself in a mountain cavern, where her singing evokes a response from the water. Startled, she drops and shatters the crystal. Something within the mountain feels alive.

Immediately after, the king informs messengers about the rings, clearly under the ring’s influence. Recall that Durin’s line is prone to corruption, selfishness, and greed. Witnessing the ring’s power over the king deeply connects with the familiar lore.

Annatar and Celebrimbor

Annatar (Charlie Vickers) and Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) circle each other cautiously, their dynamic reminiscent of a long-married couple. Celebrimbor, brimming with pride, celebrates his accomplishment in crafting rings for the dwarves. Annatar, however, fixates on a different goal – forging rings for men.

Celebrimbor bristles at the suggestion, countering with the wisdom that “most of men’s misery is of their own making.” Undeterred, Annatar presses on, though he recognizes the need for a gentler approach with the skilled smith. It’s clear that Celebrimbor’s expertise is indispensable to Annatar’s grand scheme of domination. The enigmatic figure is unwavering in his desire for nine rings, and their creation hinges on Celebrimbor’s cooperation.

Their interactions paint a picture of a toxic bromance, a complex dance of manipulation and reluctant collaboration. This dynamic adds a layer of intrigue to their relationship and promises to make Annatar’s eventual betrayal all the more devastating.

In a moment of calculated decision, Annatar reveals his intention to craft the rings himself, leaving Celebrimbor to grapple with the implications of this revelation.

Numenor

Okay, we’re back in Númenor. Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle), with his wild eyes, talks to his son about power, even though he was just crowned king. He even threatens to withhold his mother’s words until his son obeys him. We’re assuming this young man’s mother is dead, making this even more unbelievable. Pharazôn is clearly unhinged. Giving him power is a recipe for disaster.

Eärien (Ema Horvath) has lost it. Turning against her father was one thing, but dismissing half her army for their loyalty to the queen is a disastrous decision that will undoubtedly backfire.

We spend most of the episode in the Halls of Stone with the Dwarves, and it’s some of the best writing in the show. We explore multiple relationships: Durin and his father, Durin and Disa. Dwarves have always been a beloved part of Tolkien’s stories, and Rings of Power captures that perfectly. The tension between Celebrimbor and Annatar is also captivating. They play off each other brilliantly, giving us a front-row seat to Sauron’s corruption. The episode ends with Celebrimbor agreeing to forge rings for men. We’re also reminded that the Orcs are spreading across Middle-earth, and they have Galadriel.