The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 4 Review: Game of Lies

While the premiere sought to re-establish its respective narratives, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 4 aims to have a thematic undertaking with Galadriel, Arondir, and Nori in the show’s grand scheme.

Compared to Episodes 1-3, this episode is much more thematically cohesive. Its focus on the characters’ deception as all these lies are put to the test forces this episode to balance multiple “issue-of-the-day” situations while putting the pieces of the larger picture together.

This thematic undertaking subtly plays into Galadriel’s arc as her Ring influences her decision-making. Even though characters like High King Gil-galand could relate to her situation, someone like Elrond can’t fully trust her.

Because of this, Elrond forcibly relies on his own skills to get his team to Celebrimbor. However, Galadriel has these inter-cut visions of their perils ahead that Elrond views as unreliable because of Sauron’s influence. His increasing arrogance only drives his relationship with Galadriel further apart.

He’s still reeling from Galadriel’s hiding the truth about Sauron, which makes for an interesting long-term issue for the two.

This issue has consequences when the group follows Elrond into a deadly ghoulish trap. When Galadriel is ultimately forced to distract the army to help the others escape, it does look like Elrond is conflicted about whether she’s doing it for the right cause.

It creates a compelling climax I hope to see confidently resolved before it becomes too drawn out, like in The Rings of Power Season 1.

Furthermore, this idea of trust is especially noticeable in Arondir and Isildur’s storyline.

On their way to rescue Theo, the two discover that Estrid’s injury hides the mark of Adar. While the initial reveal feels effective, the episode slides through the traditional plot points that come with a betrayal until the final moments.

With each issue the trio faces, you’re not left wondering whether you could trust Estrid because you know she won’t turn. It drops several hints that would make one think that, but mostly plays it safe in the end.

However, once they plow through the monsters that block their path, it tries to convince you that Estrid was evil all along. It’s one of those alerting moments that does draw concern about whether she’ll commit to her actions.

However, this is cut short by The Rings of Power‘s need to focus on the overarching story.

Because of this refocusing, the emotional character moments don’t have enough time to fully resonate with viewers. They either have to be split between exposition and action or fill a large enough spot that it doesn’t impact the flow of other arcs.

Nonetheless, it does feel like the show is beginning to have a firmer grasp on its thematic messaging. So it could improve in later episodes.

As for Nori, Poppy, and the Stranger, the episode spends a reasonable amount of time with them. While Nori and Poppy encounter the nomadic Stoors, the Stranger incidentally comes across someone who could help him: Tom Bombadil.

The events with Nori, Poppy, and the Stoors play out differently thanks to the more lighthearted tone of this storyline.

It’s clear that Nori and Poppy mean no harm to the Stoors despite their differences. However, because of their problems at hand, they’re regarded as liars who want to exploit them.

Here, the episode slightly increases the stakes with Nori and Poppy only because the Stoors resonate with their circumstances even though they notice the risks.

It’s only when they mention a person who connects the two cultures that the relationship really starts to build. However, it also seems like the Stoors may only be here for this episode once Nori and Poppy head out to reunite with the Stranger in the next episode.

Nonetheless, The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 4, “, seems to understand that it can take its time exploring its themes and ideas while getting its story flowing. Hopefully, the next episode can continue this format and presentation, even if it has to get through those big scenes and drops of exposition.

Stray Thoughts:

• How is the show going to deal with Estrid in the next episode more effectively now that her secret’s out?
• This episode is definitely setting up the Stranger to be Gandalf with Tom’s warning and those elemental abilities.
• Galadriel sacrificing herself for the Ring’s protection might ultimately come back to bite her in the end.
• Galadriel fighting the Orcs at the end is honestly pretty awesome, could we get more of that too?

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What did you think of this episode of The Rings of Power? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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New episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 premiere Thursdays on Prime Video.

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