Partings
Episode 5 of Rings of Power starts with Nori speaking to The Stranger about their migration. Nori points out there are plenty of dangers along the way and we should remind viewers that if these little halflings get hurt or injured, they’re going to be left behind. So I guess in a way, the Harfoots are the biggest danger of them all?
The group of people continue singing a little song as they make their way into the woods. Harfoot Malva suggests that Sadoc should have taken Nori and the others’ wheels and left them behind.
As Malva begins picking mushrooms, she is met with Guttural screaming from the depths of the woods. Several creatures begin hunting her, but fortunately, The Stranger manages to use his power to knock them back and send them sprawling.
Adar learns that the tunnel has been completed. His subordinate is told to summon the legions. “It is time.” He’s told. They plan to march on the guard tower, which is currently home to Bronwyn and the Southlanders.
Bronwyn speaks to the people and admits that they need to stand and fight to show a symbol of their strength. A hand goes up in support, but it’s easily swayed by an old man suggesting they should run and take their chances elsewhere. Unfortunately, it splits the force in half.
The old man and his group are forced to face an orc horde as they try to escape from the tower. They are able to outrun the orcs, but they are left with a big challenge ahead.
In Numenor, the soldiers practice how to fight like Galadriel. Galadriel scoffs at their efforts, deciding to personally step up and show them how it’s done. Because of course she does; it’s been a hot minute since we’ve had our episodic “Galadriel is better than everyone” moment.
Elendil has agreed to give Valandil a promotion, in exchange for him helping Galadriel take down the elves. Valandil bests all of his opponents, and even gets applause from the audience. However, one could argue that they’re applauding Valandil, a soldier who manages to get close to besting Galadriel. As per the agreement made with Elendil prior to this, he’s promoted.
“The tide may rise and drown a man, or fall and sweep him out to sea.” Pharazon says to his son just after, “The trick of mastering the current is to know which way it will turn next.” And of course, as we all know, there are only two – high tide and low tide. It’s another example of dialogue that sounds whimsical and flowery when in truth it means nothing. There’s lots of this littered through the episode but actually writing it out like this gives an example of how poor this is. Oh, and this is dialogue from the most expensive show ever created. ..
Kemen jumps onto the boat and starts to sabotage the cargo, but when he drops his lantern, it explodes. Isildur grabs Kemen and swings to shore before the entire thing explodes.
High up in the tower, Galadriel and Pharazon disagree over the best course of action to take. For now, Miriel decides to wait until first light to make a decision. Galadriel frowns and scowls as she approaches Halbrand. She apologizes to him, but her true intentions are clear: she wants Habrand’s voice at the council so that she can have an advantage during the expedition. ..
Galadriel goes on to admit that she can’t stop her vengeance-fuelled mission, going on to bemoan how her company mutinied against her (because she led them into a death-trap and was prepared to leave them to die up the mountain) and that her closest friend conspired to exile her.
Halbrand apologizes on behalf of his people for the wrongs they have done to Galadriel. Galadriel urges him to return to the Southlands, where he will honor his people in the way they deserve. ..
Meanwhile, Gil-Galad and Elrond sit with Durin and the dwarves as they toast to the union of their races. After, Elrond keeps his promise to Durin and doesn’t reveal what the dwarves have found deep in the mountains. The light of the Eldar is fading, and Celebrimbor is quick to point out though that the mithril will save their race from diminishing. It would also mean severing the union he’s just made with the dwarves though. ..
Elrond finally comes clean to Durin, admitting the entire fate of the elves is in his hands. Honestly, the dwarves are the best part of this show, although the episode is sorely missing some Disa wit and charisma! ..
The council makes their decision and everyone prepare to leave for Middle Earth. Galadriel walks up to Halbrand and joins hands with him, symbolising the end of their journey.
The Episode Review
The Harfoot story in particular is a really bad one, and the people involved are absolutely barbaric and murderous. Not only are they happy to leave their own behind, they also conspire to sabotage their own too. So much for being a happy-go-lucky bunch of nomadic folk! And worse, their story does nothing but introduce a mystery box in the form of “the stranger” who could well prove to be Gandalf but despite whoever this guy is, it’s nowhere near interesting enough to sustain the show moving forward.
The mystery surrounding who Sauron is, for example, is painfully orchestrated from the beginning and that touching of arms between Galadriel and Halbrand at the end appears to seal the deal. It’s got to be him, surely!
Galadriel is a terrible role model for young children, and her writing is a disgrace. She’s always grumpy and mean, and her lack of development makes her even more frustrating. She’s not even interesting as a character, and she’s completely unappreciated by the audience. Galadriel needs to be rewritten so that she’s more likeable and appreciated by everyone.
The best part of Rings of Power is that the Elves and Dwarves are great characters. In fact, Disa and Durin are probably the best characters in the entire series, but they’re sorely lacking here. Their fun banter and charisma is just what this show needs, in what’s otherwise a very dour and mediocre-at-best fantasy fluff piece. Hopefully the upcoming episodes can improve but it seems doubtful at this point.
