Season 1, Episode 5: “Farewell”
This week’s “The Rings of Power” is the biggest yet, with all major races and most of the series’ prominent characters getting at least some screen time. Watch the migrating Hafuuts trying to find the best places to dig, forage and “eat snails while they’re healthy.” Join the dwarven prince Durin at an uncomfortable dinner in Lyndon with the Elven King Gilgalad (Benjamin Walker). We see how Adder’s offer to provide safety to all obedient humans tears the tower’s refugee community in two. And follow the action back to Numenor. There, the natives make a last-ditch effort to thwart Galadriel’s expedition to Middle-earth.
The downside to this sprawl is that “Partings” is also the longest episode in the series. You can’t pretend your length doesn’t stand out. Previous chapters had a fun, relaxed atmosphere, like reading a book, with long stretches spent in one place. This week feels like your typical fantasy TV show, going from place to place. “The Rings of Power” has an outstanding cinematic look and sound with cutting edge digital effects, thrilling stunts, subtly graceful camera moves and an evocative Bear McCreary score. increase. But the writers have more narrative pieces to shuffle than the typical film. And when they introduce so many into his one episode, the need to bring each of them to the proper “continue” point can feel artisanal.
That said, a lot of things happened this week that make sense of where this story is and where it’s headed. Here are some points and observations from an episode full of memorable moments.
once upon a time …
This episode covers a great deal of territory, but it’s all about an obscure, possibly apocryphal legend about an elf warrior who fought one of Morgoth’s Balrogs on Misty Mountain for control of the coveted tree. Still finding time for short flashbacks. The sequences are visually spectacular and look like live recreations of classical paintings. It’s also important for the overall plot direction of the series.
This story, told by Elrond, concerns the origins of a super-mineral known as Mithril, which the Elves hoped would revive their flagged spirits and prevent them from having to abandon Middle-earth. If you’re willing to betray a vow to a friend, Elrond can help make it happen. I think. A tough call for our well-meaning ambassadors.
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elven humility
Elrond, of course, betrayed that oath and explained the situation to Durin, admitting that his superiors had sent him to the Dwarven Kingdom in the first place to expose the supply of Mithril. and sees this as a potential win-win for the future of Middle-earth and for the dwarves as ore keepers. (He also does a good prank at the Elven expense when he pretends to be offended that the Elven table is made of material sacred to the Dwarves, in order to embarrass the King and get a free table. )
Elrond isn’t the only elf that has to growl in the rubble in this episode. In order to defeat the humans, Galadriel gives the humans a dynamic lesson in fighting orcs, and allows the elves to come under attack in trial combat to prove they’re not unstoppable. , in the Southlands, Arondir teaches Theo archery. Theo makes you admit that the elves have been watching over humanity for past centuries. In order to win against humans, elves must become more… no, humans.
Oh humanity!
On the other hand, if humans are bad, then really? At the beginning of the episode, Bronwyn delivers an impassioned address to all those who are holed up in the Elven Tower, saying, “If they stand and fight, this tower will no longer be a reminder of our weakness, But then, when the situation seemed incredibly dire, Braunin considered surrender and in despair told Arondal: That’s how we survive. Perhaps it is us. who we always are
One of the quirky aspects of JRR Tolkien’s “Rings” book is that while most of his fictional races have innate personalities and purposes, humans tend to be hard to pin down. In this episode, Arondir describes the Southlanders’ past alliance with evil. He describes Theo’s mysterious sword hilt as being the “key” to “enslaving the ancestors”, suggesting that Morgoth cast a spell on humanity.
However, the Dark Lord’s magic tells his skeptical son Kemen (Leon Wadham) that he believes in the resurrection of the Human King in Southland, and thus only supports Galadriel’s mission to Middle-earth. It does not explain the wickedness of the Chancellor Pharazon of Numenor, who confesses that Make his people stronger and more prosperous. “The elves will take orders from us when all this is done,” he sneers. (However, this does not prevent Kemen from setting fire to one of the ships assigned for the expedition. The crime Isildur stumbles upon saves Kemen’s life, keeps the youth’s secret, and saves Kemen’s life in Galadriel. Board one of the ships.)
Humanity can at least claim a true achievement in the world of men: Halbrand…maybe. Initially bitter that Galadriel used his secret royal origins as a propaganda tool for the Middle-earth campaign, Halbrand eventually joined the mission and became the cause the Numenoreans could rally. Agreed. But before he can make that change of heart, he warns Galadriel that humans are a sketchy breed, and if she knew what she would have to do to survive before fleeing the Southlands, she would She reassures him with the lines first told to her in the series premiere.
Ally or foe?
Harfoots and their tall strangers have the least amount of airtime this week, but it’s a big omen when a disgruntled Harfoot tells Sadoc to stop Brandyfoots’ cart and leave it behind. I hope this doesn’t happen for many reasons, but mostly because I enjoy Lenny Henry’s performance as Saddock. If Nori Brandifoot had left her own adventures, I doubt the character would have made much of an appearance.
A scene in Harfoot provides some of the episode’s most memorable moments, such as a dialogue in which Nori explains the concept of danger and death to the Stranger. The Stranger then proves that he may actually be in danger when he saves his new friend from an attacking herd of wild animals, but with some kind of ice spell. In the process of healing the wound, I accidentally injured Nori.
strange visitor
A final note on the Stranger: At some point in this episode, several curious, white-clad, armor-clad figures (possibly elves, but of the same race as the magical Skyman likely) can be seen standing around the crater. Landed at the series premiere and seemingly very worried. Here again the question arises: what kind of creature is this stranger?
And while we’re at it: What’s the deal with Adar? His offer to the Southlanders causes Waldreg the weasel to lead a splintered group of humans to Adder’s camp. Waldreg surprised him when he called his new Dark Lord “Sauron”, but Adder mocked him. As punishment, the old man must prove his loyalty to his cause by killing one of the humans he brought.
It’s pretty tough. But who can blame Waldreg for his confusion? If Adal isn’t Sauron by some other name, who or what is he?