Episode Six of The Rings of Power . . .
ONE
Adar plants seeds in the forest mulch while his orc legion awaits his orders. He gives them a rousing speech. (Haha, there’s Waldreg standing among the horde, looking uncomfortable.)
Leading them to the watchtower, Adar opens the fort’s door to find the compound empty.
As they search, we see Arondir hiding behind a door. Adar finds the sacrificial altar.
TWO
Standing with him, Waldreg asks what happened to Sauron? The question is interrupted by Arondir shooting arrows. He’s booby-trapped the compound, bringing down the tower and closing the orcs inside. Stones fall toward Adar.
At the base of the waterfall, Bronwyn and her people see the tower collapse and cheer the success of their plan. They return to the village to prepare for the orc survivors.
(Everything in this section is so dark it’s hard to distinguish what’s happening. The orcs must travel at night, we know, but the screen is basically some torches flickering in the black.)
THREE
(There is no Three.)
FOUR
And . . . it’s still dark, but now we’re onboard ship with Isildur. He sneaks around the hold, seen by an awake Halbrand in his bunk. He visits the stable area to give his horse Berek an apple. He wanders up on deck where Galadriel in her plate armor catches him. They have a moment, two people who loved Númenor when it was more elvish. He gives his name, and she recognizes him. The dawn breaks over the stunning three galleys, sails full, Isildur’s face alight with wonder at his first sight of land. Elendil arrives and sends him below. When Galadriel asks what happened to Isildur’s mother, Elendil clips, “She drowned.”
The Queen consults with Elendil over a map in her quarters. She focuses her glass on a certain spot, and the map transitions to someone hammering.
It’s Arondir. He seems to be trying to destroy the evil hilt, but his hammer breaks instead. Wrapping the icon in a cloth, he prepares to hide it while Theo secretly watches. Villagers prepare for the siege, covering the tunnel openings. Blades are sharpened. Bronwyn gives the rousing speech while Arondir tells them the tactics. Their trap requires nerve, as the orcs will need to cross the bridge and come close. Bronwyn assigns Theo to the tavern, the safe house for the wounded and children. People say their goodbyes and prepare for war.
Arondir and Bronwyn get a quiet moment. From his necklace he pulls alfirin seeds and gives her one to plant, a pre-battle tradition among elves. (Now Adar’s opening scene makes more sense.) This time their tender scene culminates in a kiss.
Sunset.
(This pause, this breath, comes one-third of the way through the episode, suggesting a Three Act structure. Also, see the repeat of the elvish seeds. Often Act One will open by showing something that’s given greater meaning when it’s repeated at the start of Act Two.)
We’re back in the dark, waiting with the villagers for the attack to come. Torches approach. A lot of torches. After some suspense, the trap is sprung. Theo waits in the tavern while fighting rumbles just outside. Arondir is cornered by a huge orc. Things look grim, but then cheering begins. Success. The villagers think they’ve won.
In the aftermath of battle, Arondir looks closer at the fallen. Among the orc dead are their own villagers who left to join Adar. Happiness turns to horror.
And then the real attack begins.
(We’re close to the halfway point, and this feels like the Switch.
You’ll notice that the question about Sauron comes out of nowhere and immediately dies. This abrupt, unfinished beat seems like it’s going to be the Two or the Three, but I can’t tell which. Something before the Four will be — or should be — the Three. Again, nothing announces itself clearly. I’m afraid we’ll need to wait for the rest of the episode in order to know for sure.
Spoiler: As written and shot, nothing mirrors. The episode suggests a Three — needs it desperately — but it isn’t here.
To be continued . . . )