This article from the Prime Video series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) Season 2 Episode 5 contains significant spoilers.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’s fifth episode brings a potential old friend from Peter Jackson’s original The Lord of the Rings film franchise. Well, not the good kind, anyway. Princess Disi makes a discovery that may have implications for the Troll kingdom and the rest of Middle-earth.
Disi finds a disturbance deep in the bowels of Khazad-dûm. If you remember, Gandalf the Grey, while crossing the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, told a mysterious being, “You shall not pass!” and, wielding his mighty staff, won the battle. However, he was grabbed by the ankle and pulled over the edge. His last words before falling to the Fellowship were, “Run, you fools.”
Has Disi found the Balrog? We don’t know for sure, but Prince Durin IV warns his father, who ignores his warnings of a mysterious force underneath Khazad-dûm.
Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 5: How Does King Durin III Know Where to Dig?
King Durin III (Peter Mullan) tells his son, Prince Durin IV (Owain Arthur), to dig through a foundation wall with the help of one of the Seven Dwarf rings. The King of Khazad-dûm uses the Ring of Thrór, the most powerful of all the Dwarf rings, given to him by Lord Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards).
His son warns him about the risks. However, the King ignores him, and the Prince refuses. So, the King does it himself. When his followers fear the wall may cave in, it miraculously holds! Light begins to shine into Khazad-dûm, and the community may be saved. King Durin III adds, “Next time I say dig, you dig.”
King Durin III continues to use the Ring of Thrór throughout Khazad-dûm to bring in necessary light and air for farming purposes. His royal subjects applaud the results of his efforts to save their community.
Why Does Kemel Kill Valandil?
Kemel kills Valandil, partly to save face, like the sniveling brat he is, but also so his father (Trystan Gravelle) will inform his late mother about his fate. Ar-Pharazôn, after apparently being endorsed by the Great Eagle, has decreed that anyone loyal to Queen Míriel (The Accountant’s Cynthia Addai-Robinson) will be stripped of their royal rank.
This resulted from the captain attempting to form a group against Númenor’s new leader. Earlier in the episode, Captain Elendil’s daughter, Eärien (Ema Horvath), is mourning the loss of her brother Isildur (Maxim Baldry). She blames the Queen for his death. (Let’s not forget he is alive, and his family is unaware of it.) Later, Elendil informs the Queen of what is happening.
The Queen also tells her loyal subject that his vision is ambiguous. When she touches the Palantír, she sees their downfall. However, when Elendil touched it in episode three, he saw himself riding away but did not see anything else, meaning there was still hope. It should also be mentioned that Pharazôn, in the episode, is all seen touching the “seeing stone.”
Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 5 Ending Explained: How Does Annatar Convince Celebrimdor to Forge Nine Rings for Men?
Annatar/Sauron (Charlie Vickers) convinces Celebrimbor to forge the Nine Rings by using the rings he made for King Durin III against him. Earlier, the Master Craftsman denied his friend the ability to create the additional set, mainly because it was too dangerous and they did not need it. Yet, Sauron, being Sauron, manipulates the situation with tricks and sleight of hand.
For instance, Annatar/Sauron uses his mind to toss items off the table. He also has Celebrimbor’s assistant, Mirdania, add more Mithril to strengthen the alloid. Celebrimbor says this was a mistake and seems shaken, while The Master of Gifts, Annatar, is a calming force among everyone. Prince Durin arrives, pointing the finger at the ringmaker.
The Rings of Power episode ends with Sauron essentially performing blackmail. He points out to his friend that High King Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker) only consented to three rings, not seven. That deceit must be why the rings are potentially evil. Sauron suggests they make the nine rings, proving Celebrimbor’s abilities, or he may never be allowed to forge again.
You can stream the new season of The Lord of Rings: The Rings of Power only on Prime Video.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 5 Recap and Spoiler Review — Did Disi Stumble Upon the Balrog?
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022), season 2, episode 5, showcases Charlie Vicker’s magnetic and ominously charming performance as Sauron, like a moth to a flame. This expertly constructed television episode brings greater understanding to The Lord of the Rings universe while setting up the final, enthralling three episodes of the season.
