I have a suspicion there was more stuff filmed for the Stranger/Tom story thread but wound up on the cutting room floor. There is the really rushed nature of it (what trials were they talking about??), the abrupt editing, but also the Dark Wizard was listed in the end credits yet never showed up. Honestly, it really felt like an entire episode there was skipped over, as was an episode of Celebrimbor's failed attempts at forging the Nine.
I loved the Galadriel/Adar scene (Sam Hazeldine's take finally feels like an equal to Joseph Mawle's)
and the stuff at Numenor, which is surprising because none of that seemed engaging to me on a dramatic level last year. But yeah, Elendil's material here was great. Not sure I buy the potential romance with Miriel but the scenes of his remaining true to his convictions in the face of everything was just awesome.
Agreed that the episode wasn’t as strong as last week. However, it did have some great moments. Prince Durin and Disa really are the heart of the show, even with their slightly wobbly Scottish accents 😁
What I thought was most impressive was the score in the early scenes with Annatar and Celebrimbor. It was all high strings and was similar, in many ways, to the theme in John Carpenters The Thing. Now, I’m not sure if it was deliberate, but certainly brought to mind the idea that the monster is hiding in plain sight whilst disguised as a friend
Continuing to really enjoy this season and your brilliant write ups. Thanks very much 🙏
Loved Durin and Disa as well! And that's a great observation about the high strings in those scenes and the comparison to The Thing. Love that idea of "the monster is hiding in plain sight"
Glad to share, thanks for reading and the kind feedback!
As someone who has only been following Season 2 through Substack, when I saw the title was "Where is he?" I wholeheartedly thought it would be referring to Celeborn. The search continues...
I think it's funny that during the big leakage of 'spoilers' that turned out wrong/fake earlier this year, Celeborn was a big thing. It seems like insiders got the impression that Annatar Sauron was Celeborn and so reported him being sighted at Eregion.
Yes! Absolutely loved that line. And I'm not sure, but it *does* seem more like he's wandering in the deserts of Tatooine looking for his lightsaber, doesn't it? lol
I was so enthralled by this episode--I'm completely on the edge of my seat waiting to watch the siege of Eregion next week (and am so excited to see Elrond step up as commander)!! It's awful to watch Celebrimbor unravel, I really feel for him. And Charlie Vickers is smashing it--he was so scary this ep!
I absolutely LOVED everything with Elendil, Annatar, and Celebrimbor! Those two storylines are my favorites this season! Though, I'm definitely disappointed with all the hit-over-the-head references. Those keep taking me out of the show and they don't always work. But the flaws can't take away from my excitement for the next two episodes!!!
Yes, as did I! They're my favorite storylines too. Totally agreed also that any gripes I have can't take away from how excited I am for these final episodes!
I have a suspicion there was more stuff filmed for the Stranger/Tom story thread but wound up on the cutting room floor. There is the really rushed nature of it (what trials were they talking about??), the abrupt editing, but also the Dark Wizard was listed in the end credits yet never showed up. Honestly, it really felt like an entire episode there was skipped over, as was an episode of Celebrimbor's failed attempts at forging the Nine.
I loved the Galadriel/Adar scene (Sam Hazeldine's take finally feels like an equal to Joseph Mawle's)
and the stuff at Numenor, which is surprising because none of that seemed engaging to me on a dramatic level last year. But yeah, Elendil's material here was great. Not sure I buy the potential romance with Miriel but the scenes of his remaining true to his convictions in the face of everything was just awesome.
That's interesting about the Dark Wizard and such...I wouldn't be surprised! Yeah, feels like a missing episode of some developments
Yes, loved Galadriel/Adar as well (and agree that Sam Hazeldine has risen to Joseph Mawle's level)
Elendil is a huge highlight for me. Like he stepped right out of Middle-earth
Agreed that the episode wasn’t as strong as last week. However, it did have some great moments. Prince Durin and Disa really are the heart of the show, even with their slightly wobbly Scottish accents 😁
What I thought was most impressive was the score in the early scenes with Annatar and Celebrimbor. It was all high strings and was similar, in many ways, to the theme in John Carpenters The Thing. Now, I’m not sure if it was deliberate, but certainly brought to mind the idea that the monster is hiding in plain sight whilst disguised as a friend
Continuing to really enjoy this season and your brilliant write ups. Thanks very much 🙏
Loved Durin and Disa as well! And that's a great observation about the high strings in those scenes and the comparison to The Thing. Love that idea of "the monster is hiding in plain sight"
Glad to share, thanks for reading and the kind feedback!
As someone who has only been following Season 2 through Substack, when I saw the title was "Where is he?" I wholeheartedly thought it would be referring to Celeborn. The search continues...
Haha, right?? Yes, the search continues...
I think it's funny that during the big leakage of 'spoilers' that turned out wrong/fake earlier this year, Celeborn was a big thing. It seems like insiders got the impression that Annatar Sauron was Celeborn and so reported him being sighted at Eregion.
The Celeborn meme got a real LOL out of me today. Also, that line of Elendil’s! “Faith is not faith if it is not lived.” Carve that into my tombstone.
Also, why is the stuff with the Stranger SO Star Wars? Haha
Lol, glad you enjoyed it 😆
Yes! Absolutely loved that line. And I'm not sure, but it *does* seem more like he's wandering in the deserts of Tatooine looking for his lightsaber, doesn't it? lol
And he’s being pursued by masked baddies in the desert? Haha it’s uncanny
I was so enthralled by this episode--I'm completely on the edge of my seat waiting to watch the siege of Eregion next week (and am so excited to see Elrond step up as commander)!! It's awful to watch Celebrimbor unravel, I really feel for him. And Charlie Vickers is smashing it--he was so scary this ep!
Yes, watching Elrond step up this season has been so great and I can't wait to see him like you said in that role of Commander!
I agree that it's hard to watch things unravel for Celebrimbor...and things aren't going to get much better for him *sigh*
Charlie Vickers is the MVP of this season for sure
I absolutely LOVED everything with Elendil, Annatar, and Celebrimbor! Those two storylines are my favorites this season! Though, I'm definitely disappointed with all the hit-over-the-head references. Those keep taking me out of the show and they don't always work. But the flaws can't take away from my excitement for the next two episodes!!!
Yes, as did I! They're my favorite storylines too. Totally agreed also that any gripes I have can't take away from how excited I am for these final episodes!