“Forgiveness takes an age”
After last week’s premiere of three sublime episodes, The Rings of Power sets choices in motion that cannot be unmade with “Eldest”. The darkness is calling but this episode reminds us that there is still a lot of good left in this world, from creatures great and small.
Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and Elrond (Robert Aramayo) grow increasingly worried about Celebrimbor’s (Charles Edwards) silence; as they set out for Eregion, they clash over the best path to take, both physically and metaphorically. Their discord leads them into some dangerous territory that gives us another taste of the fighting prowess of the Elves. Oh, how I’ve missed watching them turn swordplay into a deadly art form.
After being quite literally blown away by The Stranger (Daniel Weyman), Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and Poppy (Megan Richards) stumble upon a village of Stoors. They’re another branch of Hobbit similar to Harfoots, only they don’t wander, instead choosing to live in holes in the desert. Getting to explore more Hobbit lore is enchanting, which makes Nori’s pang of longing for a place to call home even more bittersweet. This storyline brings some much-needed levity to the episode, capturing the quaint fantasy of Tolkien’s world to show what makes Hobbits so beloved.
The Stranger, on the other hand, meets someone he does not expect. Tom Bombadil poses more questions than answers, tapping into the whimsical but powerful magic and knowledge he possesses as the Eldest One. Rory Kinnear brings Old Tom to larger-than-life on-screen, making the wonders and wildness of the world seem simple.
Back in the Southlands, Isildur (Maxim Baldry), Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova), and Estrid (Nia Towle) search for Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin). On their journey, Isildur finds himself drawn towards Estrid, although Arondir has reservations about her motivations. Isildur’s faith in the good of the world is inspiring; watching him slowly grow into who he was born to be is a delight and Maxim Baldry brings such sincerity and grace to his character.
It’s in this episode that we properly get to witness the might of the Ents and the Entwives. I have been waiting to see Entwives ever since I learned of them and their disappearance from the Third Age. Firstly, the character design is downright stunning—the grandeur and fluidity at such a scale are impressive, and the Ents feel a very real part of Middle-earth. The beauty, the grief, and the life held within these creatures bring about one of the most Tolkien-esque moments of the series so far, while Arondir’s caring approach to them highlights the special relationship the Elves have with nature. Ismael Cruz Córdova delivers one of the most wonderful depictions of Elves I’ve seen on-screen; Arondir honors the people and world he loves in a strong but gentle way that makes him wholly endearing.
It’s hard to believe this marks the halfway point of season 2 but “Eldest” promises that the story has a lot of ground to cover yet. This is one of the most satisfying episodes for Tolkien diehards, treating us to many literary references and beloved lore while cementing the show as one of the best epic fantasy adaptations on TV.
Watch The Rings of Power on Prime Video.
P.S. Stay tuned for the credits song for one more Tolkien-esque treat, performed by the one-and-only Rufus Wainwright.
