First Impressions of the Episode 8 of Rings of Power Season 2 - Too forced?

These are my First impressions of Episode 8 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 (Shadow and Flame). Main topics are some good scenes, visuals, teleporting of characters, the kiss, etc.

► Disclaimer:
I have permission of the artists to use their art works.

► Artwork and special thanks to:

► Sources:
The Lord of The Rings (1954-1955) by J. R. R. Tolkien
The Silmarillion (1977)
The Hobbit (1937; 1951)
Unfinished Tales (1980)
The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien (1981)
The Peoples of Middle-earth (1996)
The War of The Jewels (1994)
The Book of Lost Tales Part Two (1984)
The Lost Road and Other Writings (1987)
The Shaping of Middle-earth (1986)
Morgoth's Ring (1993)
The Road Goes Ever On (1967) by J. R. R. Tolkien & Donald Swann
History of the Hobbit (2007)
The Nature of Middle-earth (2021)

Maps:
Amazon (John Howe)
Edited by: Murdo
Aman map by ThePhilosophersGames

► Mistakes:
-

► Playlists:
If you are interested in Tolkien's legendary fantasy Epic The Lord of the Rings and his related works, here some recommendations:

► Time Codes:
Intro - 0:00

► Social Media:
The Philosopher's Games / TPhGames / TPhLore aka Chris

► Of Games and Rings Podcast:

#RingsOfPower #LotR #LordOfTheRings

[Silversmith]

The Balrog learned his "Whip the ankle" move on Durin. I was waiting for Durin to tell... Durin to "Fly you Fool"

[Enerdhil]

It is nice that the Elves thought of a secret tunnel from which to exit the city. The only problem is that on the crucial side of it, the cave entrance was so obvious that Uruks were just hanging out and waiting for Elves to come out.

Either the Elves were stupid or the show runners were stupid.

[NikoChristianWallenberg]

From the top of my head I have various thought about the points you raised concerning the Balrog scene. "What was his plan, how did he know the cave would collapse?" From all his use of the ring - which in the show gave him some kind of advanced "stone-sense" - he would have known that there was weakness to the cave, so he figured that him clashing with the Balrog could create enough energy to collapse it: maybe he didn't know for sure if it would be sufficient, but it was that one shot of possibly collapsing the cave or letting the Balrog loose for sure. Don't get me wrong, I understand where you were going with this - and I'm all open for points being raised.

[otwk]

I honestly did not expect them to actually have the Balrog awaken; I expected it nearly waking up but somehow going back to sleep, at most... I get why you would want such a massive and famous set piece in the show, but it screws with the rest of the canon timeline so much (in regards to Moria).

Also, Sauron not just grabbing Nenya when Galadriel was down that cliff is so weird. She should have left it in Lindon, and they could still have their big confrontation if she escapes with the 9 (and Celebrimbor canon-accurately gives up their location), Sauron grabs the 9, and then Galadriel flees or is left for dead after a less dramatic fall (or Sauron even lets her live for some hidden plot).

Alternatively, just don't let him know that she has Nenya, and then let it secretly heal her. A worse option, but not as nonsensical as it ended up being.

[istari]

16 episodes to "reveal" what we all knew long ago and admit to yet one more egregious lore violation. Well, at least we are getting a reprieve now. Hopefully the ratings will continue to show a decline.

[marksnowdon-hn]

I could be wrong with this, but, is the staff that Gandalf picks up not the one given to him by radagast in the hobbit (movies) after Gandalf loses his own? Apologies if I'm wrong it's been a while since my last viewing

[obi]

About Galandriel falling and the plot armor you talked about, remember that elfs weigh very little and are also more strong that humans. So it is not strange to survive a big fall as an elf.

[ecthelionofthefountain]

A part of me wishes to know who Adar was. I thought his story arc was the most interesting. Would have preferred that reveal to to the Gandalf one. And more background to his character.

[kevinfelix]

After season 1, I kind of lost hope. Season 2 did try to course correct with the Annatar storyline, but everything felt so predictable. Who else could the Stranger be but Gandalf? The blue wizards were known for wearing blue robes, while the Stranger wore grey—hint, hint. Most of us figured it was Gandalf, even though we hoped it wouldn’t be. And now it seems Saruman is shaping up to be the dark wizard. The showrunners seem to think they’re being clever, but for anyone who’s read the source material, it’s just really boring. I did like the final interaction between celeb and sauron.

[AnnoyingCritic-isrp]

If Adar is healed by the ring, why is he just sitting there sulking around the boulder? Why doesn't he recall his orcs and go to Elrond and seek a truce?

Indeed, why is Galadreil ever captured?

It seems to be that the story is just designed to trick the audience. Look! Adar is good now, I bet you weren't expecting that!

One could imagine a better written story where Adar gets the ring and is healed and then gets a arc. But here it is compressed in a few short scenes that really is kind of unbelievable - even in this universe.

[paulfreeborn]

Remember, elves are SUPER hardy! They can fall off mountain tops--no problem. (UNLESS--we want the character to die for the sake of drama or a cool visual... then they die!)

[JSEITSONEN]

Waiting for analysis stream... Should be fun 🤣🤣🤣

[Tar-Elenion]

The show-runners continuously want the 'pay-off' with out doing the 'build-up'. (Tha 'Rian' character is emblematic of this, they wanted the viewer to feel something for her death (ala Boromir), but there was nothing there).

[DrothXO]

You would be surprised and shocked the fact that The Dark Wizard is probably Saruman!!!

[SamTheBattleshipp]

I am curious about how everyone can see the three elven rings when nobody but ring bearers could see them or recognize them

[PriscilaTV]

I just want Kemen to die. Is it asking too much? Methinks he will get one of the nine rings in his quest to impress father dearest...

[DJWHITE_]

This show lost me somewhere in season 1 because it’s nonsense and a waste of my attention.

[kevz]

King Durin was doing it to protect the ring.

[clouscrypto]

"Hi Dad, stop hitting the wall because if you literally hit it one more time it will collapse" What are the chances of this? haha

[Enerdhil]

You cannot say that the interaction between Annatar and Celebrimbor is like that in the books because TRoP's JoJo Sauron has mind altering and manipulating powers. That is the thing I hate the most about their Sauron.

In the lore, he is already a formidable opponent and very likable and persuasive when he wants to be. But then you give him powers that the One Ring could not give him and those powers are native to him?! WTH will he be able to do with the One Ring?!😱😱😱😱😱 The ultimate JoJo "Stand!"