“Sooner or later he sees you; not just who you are, but who you wish to be”
One of the many aspects that makes J.R.R. Tolkien’s work so enduring is the strong yearning for home laced throughout the pages. It’s what drove Frodo to embark on his journey to save the Shire; it’s what led Thorin’s company to retake the Lonely Mountain; it’s what caused the Elves to return to Valinor. And it’s stronger than ever in The Rings of Power, felt most keenly in “Where is He?”.
We see it best when Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and Poppy (Megan Richards) learn more about the ways of the Stoors, giving us more wonderful insight into the history of the Hobbits. They are the cracks of light that shine through the storm clouds brewing over this season, a defiant ray of hope even as the Dark Wizard (Ciarán Hinds) and his followers threaten their way of life. The bonds formed through friendship and love are what make us root for these characters, no matter where the winds of fate take them. It’s what Tom Bombadil wants to protect, as he guides The Stranger (Daniel Weyman) towards understanding his power—but first, he must figure out what is most important to him. Old Tom’s riddles and questions are folksy and beautiful, as Rory Kinnear upholds the beloved character Tolkien fans have been dying to see for years.
Elsewhere, Annatar’s (Charlie Vickers) hold over Eregion deepens; he tries harder than ever to make Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) feel like he is losing his mind. And the Elves begin to look to Annatar for guidance instead, especially when they receive warning messages from the outside world. You’ll find yourself wondering if it’s a genuine coincidence or another one of Sauron’s designs. That’s the brilliance of The Rings of Power—it makes you question everything you see as you search for deeper meaning.
War is coming to Eregion but Celebrimbor is consumed by his craft, fueled by Annatar’s deceptions. Even as Adar (Sam Hazeldine) makes Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) an offer she cannot refuse, there are depths to the impending shadow that she cannot yet see.
Annatar approaches Khazad-dûm to bargain for more Mithril, which King Durin sees as an opportunity to exploit the troubles of the Elves. Peter Mullan’s performance is chilling as the power of his Ring takes hold; in contrast, Owain Arthur gives a moving performance as Prince Durin, the son who loves his father, the Prince who must do his duty to his King, and the Dwarf who loves his home. This emotional struggle is turned bittersweet by Bear McCreary’s beautiful score, always with a note of promise amongst the despair. Disa (Sophia Nomvete) is rightfully angry and takes matters into her own hands like the absolute badass she is.
Meanwhile, Elendil (Lloyd Owen) is put on trial for high treason, but the biggest betrayal may just come from his daughter Eärien (Ema Horvath) standing before him instead of by his side. Elendil’s declaration of faith is all at once scathing and stirring. Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle), for all his foolish grabs at power, is still wary of the Valar and the wrath that might befall him. His next move puts all the Men of Númenor in the hands of the Valar but Queen Regent Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) is the one who must walk into the path of their judgment. Owen and Addai-Robinson have great chemistry; faith and love collide when they are together and it is raw, vulnerable, and touching. The Númenórean scenes are at their most poignant here, highlighted by the stunning cinematography that shows off the island’s splendor.
Home: It’s what Elves and Men and Dwarves have fought so hard to defend since their Creation. And it’s what is under threat now. Will Middle-earth unite and stand against Sauron? Or will petty squabbles and political differences allow the darkness to take them all? “Where is He?” explores what it means to stand up in the face of ruin and find hope—and isn’t that the most Tolkien thing of all?
