Warning: The following review contains full spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Episode 5. If you’re not caught up yet, check out our spoiler-free review of the two-episode premiere here.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Episode 5 picks up the pace a little from Episode 4 which was a drag to sit through. In the fifth episode titled “Partings”, we get to see what the series’ characters in Middle-earth are up to.
We return to the whereabouts of the Harfoots, who I dearly missed. Nori (Markella Kavenagh) is teaching the Stranger (David Weyman) how to speak and the ways of the migratory nature of the Harfoots. There was some kind of possible foreshadowing here with the Stranger describing himself as “peril” when Nori teaches him about the hurdles and obstacles the Harfoots could potentially come across during their journeys. However, Nori being the kindhearting and trusting girl she is, teaches him that he is good. Upon learning the word, the Stranger describes himself as good happily. Could possibly be hinting towards the character being good inside but bringing trouble with him in regards to his origins and purpose. I am very interested in this sub-plot.
In the Southlands, we see the humans who have left the elven tower to escape Adar (Joseph Mawle), and the ones who followed Waldreg (Geoff Morrell) to surrender to him. Waldreg appears to swear his loyalty earnestly and passionately to “Sauron”, which turns out to be an amusing scene thanks to Morrell’s performance. He is readily offering his loyalty to whoever will keep him alive.
In Númenor, we see a rift between Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and Halbrand (Charlie Vickers). Halbrand sports a guild crest, which he got from leaking Galadriel’s plans before she went into the tower. Galadriel was hopeful that he will be of some help – as he is summoned to Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson). Turns out he does not want anything to do with this, and tells Galadriel to find someone else to crown.
Durin (Owain Arthur) and Elrond (Robert Aramayo) return, with King Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker) who praises Durin for the progress on Khazad-dûm. It is also revealed why the mithril is so important – it can extend the lives of the Elves. I really liked how Elrond tells the truth about this to Durin, as they then go to Khazad-dûm to convince the king.
Isildur (Maxim Baldry) is finally forgiven by his friends, and finds a place on the ship preparing for warfare. The episode ends with Númenor’s ships sailing towards the Southlands. The next episode should show us a battle of the war that is about to be waged, and it will serve as some much-needed action that the show desperately needs right now.
The episode shows some developments in the relationships between the characters, and is a much-welcomed change of pace from the tonal issues in the previous episodes. After setting up the scenes for the events coming in the future, it has become exciting to see how the next episodes will unfold.
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