The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 5 Review: Darkness Lies Deep

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 5 feels more intricately balanced thanks to its prevalent focus on Durin IV and Disa and the slow fracturing of Númenor’s royal family.

Previous episodes emphasize Sauron’s influence even though the Dark Lord has moved on to a new host, Annatar. However, the storylines involving the dwarves and Númenóreans are more interesting thanks to Annatar’s looming presence.

Plus, with more Rings in play, these storylines have the potential to be valuable frontrunners as the show pushes forward.

This potential is present in the personalized interactions and “mini-arcs” of Episode 5 as Durin IV and Elendil take charge.

Episode 5 opens with Durin IV mining after his father, Durin III, stripped him of his honor. Having doubts that Khazad-dǔm could see sunlight again, Durin III takes it upon himself to do the job. It’s obvious their relationship is still strained, but there’s some cautious optimism to be had.

Durin III’s arrogant change in personality helps Durin IV realize that the Rings may have been corrupted. This becomes clear during the meeting of the Dwarven lords, which gets intense with that final confrontation between father and son.

Watching characters like Galadriel and High King Gil-galand slowly recognize these red flags is validating when it is executed at the correct times.

However, Disa faces this episode’s most significant red flag: whatever evil lurks in Khazad-dǔm’s deep waters. These two events coinciding is no coincidence, something Durin IV and Disa pick up on when they meet again.

However, things have changed with Durin IV being bestowed his royal mantle again. This complication between the two creates the personal tension needed to enhance their development, which felt lacking during the premiere.

The Dwarven storyline demonstrates how the show is starting to pick up the pace from the previous episodes. Given the many other things going on this season, it is hoped that it can maintain that pace.

As for the events regarding the Númenórean royal family, Episode 5 really ups the ante.

With Elendil and his men caught by Pharazôn, it sets a grim precedence for what’s to come. Throughout the episode, Kemen viciously ridicules Elendil and his men. Even though this brings Pharazôn closer to Míriel’s throne, Elendil remains dedicated to doing what’s right.

This leads to the episode’s big fight between Elendil and Kemen, which is always expertly choreographed. However, this one has more impact, given the death of Elendil’s lieutenant, which adds an emotional touch.

Given how The Rings Of Power wants to be darker tonally, this death might be the most impactful this season. It could be the driving force that pushes Elendil to be on the offensive in the next few episodes.

However, the most intriguing portions of this episode come from Celebrimbor and Annatar. They know what’s in play, but Annatar obviously has the upper hand.

You could see Annatar’s maliciousness almost come out to Celebrimbor in specific scenes. There’s a moment where Annatar tries to convince Celebrimbor that he “corrupted” the new Rings.

Making Annatar this deceptive is not only in character for him, but it makes you wonder when everyone will figure it out. Episode 5 drops those teases in between the lines of long dialog.

With only a handful of episodes left, time will tell if this show can execute the perfect twist.

Stray Thoughts:

• The elven-dwarf alliance with Celebrimbor might have fallen apart if not for Durin IV and Elendil.
• “When Darkness falls, there are always some who rise forth and shine” is the quote of this episode.
• Annatar taking things into his own hands is kinda crazy now!
• Durin IV finally realizing Annatar is not who he seems feels right for what he’s done this episode.
• Is Adar actually teaming up with Galadeiel to take down Sauron? What is this?!

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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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