Episode Five of The Rings of Power . . .
LEFTOVER NINE
Nori and The Stranger sit at the shore while she teaches him about “migration”. When she describes the dangers of the road, he realizes he is a “peril”. He seems upset by it, and she reiterates that he’s good.
(This scene, which is fairly isolated storywise, is exactly what I meant last episode when I said the Three should be a beat involving these characters. It’s perfect, especially since The Stranger struggles with understanding his ethics. Juxtaposed with Waldreg calling him Sauron in last episode’s Six, this would’ve been genius.)
ONE
And then we continue with the Harfoots (which would’ve made a solid opening to the current episode). The Brandyfoots and Poppy load their wagons and set out. She sings a walking song while the beautiful scenery dissolves to a map of the route. They muscle their way through the Grey Marshes and onward, with no sign of the caravan. At night The Stranger steps out to look up at the stars.
TWO
Transition to the shot of him in the Starfall corona, which fades to become the ashen remains. Three women — witches? fates? — in white stare down at the mark. They are otherworldly and intimidating.
THREE
Adar stands in the light of day. He tells a cloaked orc servant to summon the legions while he takes a last glance at the sun.
FOUR
Bronwyn climbs up a tower landing and addresses the gathered people. She tries to rally them to fight against the coming orcs. They begin to join with her until Waldreg steps forward and dismisses the idea. He would prefer to bow, to serve the orc king rather than fight. Many follow him, and he tries to convince Theo to come, too.
The waterfront of Númenor teems as boats are loaded. Elendil oversees the activity, playing it cool when Isildur asks to join him. He has more volunteers, people who have proven their service, than he can use. The answer is no. Meanwhile, the plaza holds a rabble who doesn’t want to help Galadriel or the Southlands. The Chancellor strides through, ignoring Eärien’s call. Kemen approaches her. She’d like him to convince the Queen to stop this journey.
(Okay. Time to complain about Isildur’s sister. She was introduced poorly, she’s been used as a plot pointer rather than a character, and now she actually wants something and I’ve no idea why. She manipulates Kemen, grabbing his hands and leaning in with a hint of intimacy, to get her way. And her name has a diaresis, the typing of which just makes me stabby.)
Halbrand works the forge. He’s escorted to consult with the Queen over a map, pointing out (correctly) the watchtower as the probable destination of the orc enemy. He tries to get out of going with them, but Galadriel interrupts and gives him the side-eye. When the Queen is called to her father, Halbrand and Galadriel argue with each other. He yanks off his kingly necklace and slams the pouch on the map, walking away.
The Brandyfoots travel through a creepy forest, wondering why the caravan went this way. They find wolf prints. We shift to the rest of the Harfoots making camp in the forest. The woods are bare, and Malva blames The Stranger for the bad luck. She wants Sadoc to take away the Brandyfoots’ wheels and leave them behind. (Whoa. Dude.)
Malva forages for mushrooms in the creepy forest. Nori and Poppy startle her, and then an unearthly screeching echoes. They all run. Wargs track them and chase them. Just as one is about to bite Nori, The Stranger grabs it and throws it. Three surround him, and he ground-pounds to send them flying. They’ve had enough and lope away. Rising and panting, The Stranger looks at his forearm and hand, which are severely bruised. His reaction is shrouded by his lanky hair, a low camera angle, and a gloomy lighting design. However, he appears to be confused about his own strength and his impulsive attack. He worried earlier about how easily he killed the fireflies; uncertainty about his morality seems at play here, too. Is he a good creature or a bad one?
Elendil trains his recruits, Isildur’s friends, in a public square. Galadriel approaches and calls them untested. Elendil challenges her to train them herself. Taking up a sword, she orders the recruits to try to attack her. Anyone who scores a hit, Elendil says, he will promote to lieutenant. Galadriel dodges, her long hair flying across her line of sight. Halbrand watches from the shadows as both Isildur’s friends team up on her.
In the street, Isildur hears that “The Elf” is fighting the recruits. He follows the crowd running to see the show.
Now she fights against them all. At the last minute she blocks a slice at her arm. The friend Valandil, though, has cut the outer layer of her sleeve, and she congratulates him. “Well done, lieutenant.” The crowd cheers. As she returns her swords to Elendil, Halbrand steps out and kicks a sword up into his hand, wielding it. Galadriel notices his skill.
SWITCH
Kemen speaks with the Chancellor.
(And we’re at the halfway point of the episode. I suspect this is the Switch. Galadriel, Halbrand, Elendil, and the recruits can move forward from here as a team, which will be Five stuff.
When Galadriel fights, she ties up her skirts so her footwork is free. Why doesn’t she tie back her hair? A warrior as experienced as she wouldn’t let that curtain block her vision, and she would certainly know that her hair is basically a rein in an enemy’s hands. It’s a silly choice, reiterating how confusing her character is. After centuries of warfare, Galadriel would’ve developed an amazing hack for securing her long hair. Five seconds of screen time demonstrating this detail is a missed opportunity to charm us.
I’m going to insist on labeling the opening scene as a Leftover Nine. It belonged in the previous episode. That’s my opinion, and I’m sticking to it.
To be continued . . . )