Season 2, Episode 5, titled “Halls of Stone,” of the Prime Video series, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, is directed by Louise Hooper and Sanaa Hamri and penned by Nicholas Adams. The episode reveals the darkness and the shadow of evil grasping its power over the races of dwarves and men. The seven dwarven rings play their part in corrupting the dwarves as Sauron planned, while the Numenoreans’ division between the Faithful and the Kingsmen reaches the point of violence. Nevertheless, the friendship of the elves of Eregion and the dwarves of Khazad-dum has improved, though that friendship will sadly not last long as the orc legions slowly amass at the realm of the elven jewel-smiths.
The Seven Dwarven Rings
King Durin III (Peter Mullan) wears his dwarven ring and uses it to effect: Locating areas to dig new sun shafts and mine gold. The dwarven ring has shown its use in helping the dwarves of Khazad-dum become more prosperous and regain the glory they once had in Season 1. However, the dwarven ring has also slowly corrupted Durin III, making him more greedy and ambitious than ever, something that disturbs Durin IV (Owain Arthur) and Disa (Sophia Nomvete) since greed was never the king’s way. This in itself is a deep retcon as the seven dwarven rings were unable to corrupt the dwarven lords, according to Tolkien, but only amplify the greed within them. As a result, Sauron was deeply frustrated to the point that he started a campaign in regaining hold of the seven dwarven rings but only retook a few in the end. This means Durin III should have been already greedy but on a smaller level.
The greed of Durin III has also come to affect the time to give the rest of the dwarven rings to the other six dwarven lords. He meets with the emissaries of the dwarven lords, but the sixth one is somehow missing, unless one of the emissaries is there for two. Durin III makes a greedy compromise that he will only give the dwarven rings if the other dwarven lords give Khazad-dum half of their riches. It is outlandish as Durin III has never been greedy before and it gets worse when he increases the tax rates and mining for gold. Durin IV is so disturbed by his father’s act that he confronts Celebrimbor on this, much to the latter’s horror, stress, and confusion as this should not be happening.
The Friendship of the Elves and the Dwarves
The positive result of the seven dwarven rings led to a newly improved relationship between the elves of Eregion and the dwarves of Khazad-dum. The friendship increased to the point that both Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) and Narvi (Kevin Eldon) crafted the new West-gate of the mountain, the Doors of Durin. The doors are unbreachable, only visible by moonlight, and guarded by a password only known to friends. The Doors of Durin are a symbol of friendship between the two realms, but it won’t last long due to the dark events to come: The Fall of Eregion and Khazad-dum.
Annatar (Charlie Vickers) is not satisfied as he is still on a deep time schedule since Adar and his orc legions are closing in on Eregion. The Lord of Gifts insists that they should make nine rings for the greatest of men. The lord of Eregion objects as men are more easily corrupted by the Rings of Power than elves and dwarves. Also, Celebrimbor believes that men can work together to solve their own problems as exemplified with the Numenoreans aiding the people of the Southlands. Annatar admits that Numenor is powerful, but it is vulnerable to fracturing and he fears Numenor for that very reason. It’s quite ironic as Sauron fears Numenor for their power and strength against him.
Celebrimbor still objects but Annatar puts forth examples of heroic men: Eraendil, Tuor, and Beren, son of Barahir. If men are capable of becoming heroes, then there should be no problem in aiding the race of men in giving them their very own Rings of Power. As a result, the plan will be to give the nine rings of men to the wisest, the most noble, and the purest of heart from Numenor to Rhun. They will identify nine ring-bearers for the nine greatest mortal kingdoms. The perfection of the three elven rings will be thrice amplified with nine. Nevertheless, Celebrimbor refuses so Annatar will make the nine rings by himself.
The Forging of the Nine Begins
Annatar gathers the jewel-smiths, such as Mirdania (Amelia Kenworthy), to help him create the nine rings of men. The nine rings require more mithril and the effects are strangely different as Mirdania becomes invisible while wearing one. The nine rings are far greater in their connection to the Unseen World. This will play in hand to the effect they will have on men compared to elves, leading to the ring-bearers to become the Nazgul, Ringwraiths.
When Mirdania became invisible, she became terrified as she was surrounded by mist and darkness with a tall figure made of flames next to her. She is referring to Sauron, who is currently Annatar, but she doesn’t know that. The way Mirdania becomes invisible and terrified of the Unseen World also breaks lore as the elves exist both in the mortal plane and the Unseen World. Celebrimbor being unable to see Mirdania at first is bad as he, an elf, should be able to see her presence in the Unseen World. Annatar comforts Mirdania but also manipulates her into believing that the lord of Eregion has become paranoid. This is done so Mirdania could be Annatar’s new puppet if Celebrimbor turns against him. Nonetheless, Celebrimbor joins Annatar in their work to craft the nine rings of men.
The Persecution of the Faithful
Ar Pharazon (Trystan Gravelle) talks with his son Kemen (Leon Wadham) of his anger towards the mortality of men and how only the elves are given immortality. Nevertheless, Ar Pharazon needs time to strengthen his hold over Numenor as its new monarch. As a result, the power of the Kingsmen must increase while the power of the Faithful must decrease. A peaceful transition must happen and if they use force, then so be it. Ar Pharazon orders Kemen to ensure that the transition happens and allows him and Earien (Ema Horvath) to oversee it.
The Faithful are being forced to give up their ranks as they will be replaced by those loyal to the Kingsmen. This includes Miriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson), who lost her power to Ar Pharazon, and Elendil (Lloyd Owen), who is stripped of his rank as captain, forcing him into early retirement. The Faithful only comply as Miriel has become more subservient to Ar Pharazon, believing her cousin’s leadership can avoid Numenor’s future downfall. Nevertheless, those like Valandil (Alex Tarrant) won’t give up their loyalty and friendship to the Valar and the elves, and turn to Elendil for leadership when Miriel could not.
The Faithful Ceremony
Later, the Faithful perform a funeral ceremony for the deceased Faithful who joined Miriel’s failed campaign to save the Southlands from the orcs. Elendil joins to pay respects for his seemingly deceased son, Isildur, who is ironically still alive. However, Kemen leads the Numenorean soldiers and the kingsmen to disperse the Faithful and destroy the shrine. The shrine will be demolished and reconstructed into an aqueduct. Kemen makes things worse when he insults Elendil’s family and the religion of the Faithful. As a result, Elendil hits Kemen and Valandil progresses this by beating the son of Ar Pharazon for his insolence.
Elendil orders Valandil to stop the fight before it gets worse. However, this backfires as Kemen is petty enough to stab Valandil in the back as an act of vengeance. Kemen then accuses Elendil of leading an uprising and orders for his arrest. The Faithful are placing them in danger of further persecution as they will no longer be safe in Numenor. Their only recourse will be to either fight back or flee.
Elrond’s Warning
Elrond (Robert Aramyao) warns High King Gil-Galad (Benjamin Walker) of the orc legions nearing Eregion and pleads to send military aid. However, Gil-Galad states that their armies cannot defeat Sauron and Adar, so they must call for further aid to do so. This implies that Gil-Galad and Elrond will call the men of Numenor and the dwarves of Khazad-dum for military support. In the book, this happens later as the Numenoreans turned the tide of the War for Eregion and Lindon by smashing through Sauron’s armies. This leads to Sauron’s capture under Numenor’s custody which becomes a mortal blow for the great men of the sea as the dark lord begins to corrupt Ar Pharazon.
Adar proposes an alliance with Galadriel
Adar (Sam Hazeldine) and his orc legions set up camp near Eregion and bring Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) along as their prisoner. Adar sets Galadriel free but she holds him at knife point to the anger and shock of the orc soldiers around them. The orcish lord calms the future Lady of Lothlorien by explaining his desire for an alliance with the elves to defeat Sauron. Galadriel is keen to listen to what Adar wants but this will sadly not stop the horrors to come.
Rating: 7/10