Summary
The rise of Annatar is a seismic moment in The Rings of Power that will be remembered for years to come. The attention to detail and care for the story is apparent as Season 2 establishes what’s to come.
Power is a strange thing, but so is desire and order. Episode 2 of Season 2 of The Rings of Power finds unity in the unlikeliest places but fractures in old friendships. It’s also a major chapter in the film and television Universe of The Lord of the Rings as Sauron’s popular literature form, Annatar, arrives.
Here is my recap and analysis of The Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 2, “Where the Stars are Strange.” For ease of reference, Sauron will be referred to in his current form throughout all the recaps. Also note that plot summaries will be unbolded, and commentary/analysis will be bolded.
The Sun-Shafts Collapse In Khazad-dûm
The demise of Khazad-dûm was anticipated at the end of Season 1 when the Balrogs were awakened. The beginning of collapse begins in Season 2, Episode 2, with darkness spreading throughout Middle-Earth.
It starts innocently; Princess Disa tells Prince Durin IV to talk to his father while they shop. She passionately explains how she will stay with him regardless of whether he’s a Prince or a regular Dwarf because she loves him.
But then, darkness spreads, the mountains rumble, and the Sun-Shafts collapse, meaning no natural light can shine through Khazad-dûm.
Princess Disa, Brenna, and Revna consult with King Durin III as Stone-singers about their predicament. Their domain cannot even grow crops with the light gone. They try to use their connection to rock and stone and sing (“Stone Singers” (feat. Sophia Nomvete) in the Season 2 soundtrack), but it fails. King Durin III is unimpressed with their failure, highlighting centuries of a spiritual connection with the mountains.
Of course, at this stage, the Dwarves are unaware that Middle-Earth is threatened by a looming darkness apart from a presumed fire looming in the mountains (Balrogs). The narrative has no coincidences — the closer they move to the forging of the rings for the Seven Dwarf-lords, the closer they are to collapse. The texts have a narrative rule that darkness brings cruelty, chaos, and collapse, whereas light brings beauty, peace, and happiness.
Once again, a fed-up Princess Disa tells King Durin III that he should talk to his son; she says they are both stubborn and should show strength and summon him, or Khazad-dûm will fail.
Durin IV (L) and Princess Disa (R) are shocked to see the Sun-Shafts Collapse in ‘The Rings of Power’ Season 2, Episode 2 (Credit – Prime Video)
Galadriel Wants To Go To Eregion To Face Sauron
High King Gil-Galad prepares his Elves to form an army to fight in Mordor, with Sauron sighted there, however, Galadriel’s intuition tells her differently — she believes Sauron will no longer be there, but in Eregion, to collaborate with Lord Celebrimbor. Gil-Galad believes that Celembrimbor’s craft is safe after sending messengers to Eregion to warn him, but he is unaware that the messengers have been killed en route.
There’s a theme throughout Season 1 that the main reason Sauron reached the heights he did was due to complacency. However, at the same time, there’s an argument to be made that Sauron existed because he was sought for, i.e., Galadriel in Season 1.
Episode 2 reaches a pivotal point when Galadriel raises to Gil-Galad that she can see a veiled evil shrouding Celebrimbor and that since wearing the ring, she can see the Unseen World more frequently and “what has not yet come to pass.” (Spoken words we are familiar with Galadriel of the future).
Galadriel’s eagerness to confront Sauron again grows, and she raises her desire to go to Eregion. Still, Gil-Galad advises against it as she’s already been affected by Sauron in her mind.
And so, Galadriel asks Elrond to come with her to Eregion because the letters to Lord Celebrimbor have gone unanswered. She accepts that she may be vulnerable to deception. Elrond is cold with Galadriel, explaining that she chose to be deceived by allowing Sauron to pry on her needs, and in return, Sauron got everything he needed. He accuses Galadriel and his friends of being Sauron’s collaborators by using the Three Rings.
Elrond understands Sauron’s work better than his friends and acquaintances. He understands Sauron is a trickster who has already applied his deception across Middle-Earth. Elrond is anticipating that Sauron will likely want Galadriel in Eregion for his needs. His fears are justified because Galadriel has stubbornly chased Sauron for thousands of years. He heavily suggests that Galadriel may need Sauron more than he needs her, which is a scary ideology to place on a friend. However, if Elrond anticipates how Sauron works, he’ll know how he gets inside people’s hearts and minds. The situation is sad, as two lifelong friends are having a battle of ideas. Neither is technically wrong in the broader context.
But Elrond must remind himself that his friends wield the Three Rings, and Círdan tells him that if his friends have strayed, guide them. Círdan also believes the rings can do good if they remain with the Elves.
The irony is that Sauron’s plans have become influential enough to change the heart and mind of the oldest, wisest, and noblest Elf, Círdan. Technically, without an influence on the Three Rings, Círdan is correct, but at a macro Universe level, if more rings are created, Middle Earth is doomed.
By the end of the episode, Elrond has a change of heart and agrees to go to Eregion with a Company of Elves and Galadriel. The only difference is he’ll be leading.
Elrond is a good friend and leader in Season 2. He allowed Galadriel too much freedom to explore in Season 1, and his agenda has changed.
The Dark Wizard Wants The Stranger
The Stranger gets his first staff (Credit – Prime Video)
Okay, so it’s not ambiguous that the Dark Wizard wants The Stranger in Season 2, Episode 2, and he’s frustrated that The Dweller, along with the Acolytes, have failed.
He is warned that Sauron’s evil is spreading. But, the Dark Wizard is more concerned that The Stranger will not be “lost” for long before he harnesses his powers. Brank, a mortal, offers to bring the Istar to him, and if The Stranger does not give himself up, he will slaughter the Halflings.
Regardless of who The Stranger is, there’s a clear path to compromising him, and that’s by hurting the Halflings, who he considers to be his friends. The similarities to Gandalf are startling, but the importance of his identity in Episode 2 feels fruitless merely because it’s an interesting story.
The Stranger, Nori, and Poppy’s journey turns perilous quickly as they hear Brank and his Kilta Regent track them down. Nori and Poppy hide, which is eerily similar to how Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin hide in their first encounter with a ringwraith in The Fellowship of the Ring—the creators of The Rings of Power clearly like their mirroring.
The Stranger and the Halflings change trails, but this causes more problems. The Stranger collapses due to dehydration. They find a water well nearby, which is also a nuisance, as it rings a bell as it holsters up a bucket of water.
Brank and his group attack, and The Stranger finds the strength to use the staff he found nearby (similar to the ones in his visions) to use his powers against them. But his powers are overwhelming, causing a dangerous whirlwind that fends off Brank but puts himself and the Halflings in danger. His staff breaks, and he’s unable to stop what is happening to them.
Sauron’s Transformation To Annatar, The Lord of the Rings
The story of Lord Celebrimbor is tragic. He has a desire to be important. To make the most beautiful and most powerful objects. He wants the reputation of the best Elvensmith ever that extends beyond Fëanor and the creation of the three Silmarils. Sauron uses his desire and self-importance against him.
At first, Lord Celebrimbor refuses Halbrand entry, but Halbrand states simply that he’ll wait.
But Celebrimbor’s curiosity gets the best of him, and he speaks to him outside Eregion. Halbrand teases the Elf, claiming he has talked to Galadriel and the Three Rings work. Celebrimbor is far too eager to know more and invites Halbrand inside.
Celebrimbor’s demeanor changes when Halbrand verifies that the Three Rings worked. He looks overwhelmed that he has succeeded in something important, and it’s upsetting to watch, knowing what’s to come.
With Celebrimbor’s desire to design piquing, Halbrand tells him that he is not a Man but a force beyond this world, beyond evil, tasked as an envoy, a messenger to give guidance. He warns that every realm in Middle Earth will fall and that darkness is growing strong. He tells Celebrimbor that the Rings of Power will restore the light by forging more rings for Men and Dwarves.
The following scene is cinematic in nature and seismic in story. Suddenly, Halbrand disappears, and the lights dim, but the fire near the forge burns aggressively. Sauron calls out to Celebrimbor and taps into his needs (the usual trick of tapping into their hearts and minds). He announces that Celebrimbor will be known as “The Lord of the Rings,” At that moment, Sauron, in the form of Annatar, comes from the fire in a God-like ascension.
The ascension of Annatar in Lord Celebrimbor’s presence in ‘The Rings of Power’ Season 2, Episode 2 (Credit – Prime Video)
Seeing Lord Celebrimbor bowing to Annatar, believing he is a messenger sent from Valar, was devastating, to say the least. It’s even sadder that he’s entirely under the spell of Sauron, who has convinced him that he’s the Sharer and Lord of Gifts.
The introduction of Annatar will be a scene remembered for years in the LOTR universe. It will be discussed in the same way as many great scenes in the movies.
And so, the “partnership” between Annatar and Lord Celebrimbor begins in Season 2, Episode 2. Prince Durin IV receives a letter from Celebrimbor inviting him to Eregion.
“Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone.”
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