‘The Rings of Power’ Season 2, Episode 7 Recap – An Analysis of “Doomed to Die”

It was no secret that The Rings of Power Season 2 aimed for a gripping climax in the final two episodes, and Episode 7, “Doomed to Die,” does not disappoint. The Siege of Eregion is compelling, but the entire episode has so many moving parts.

Here is my recap and analysis of The Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 7. 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 Last Moments of Friendship Between Annatar and Celebrimbor

First, let’s talk about the opening of “Doomed to Die”. A corrupted Celebrimbor looks out to a peaceful Eregion. It’s sad to see that momentary moment of peace on his face. He looks satisfied as he pushes to make the Nine Rings for Mortal Men.

But, interestingly, he’s starting to see discrepancies in the reality prism Sauron has placed upon him, including missing details on Fëanor’s hammer.

But when Annatar returns to the room, the altered reality prism returns, and Celebrimbor explains how, thanks to Annatar, he’s had clarity in his life.

The opening of Episode 7 of Season 2 of The Rings of Power is the last time we see Celebrimbor and Annatar show moments where they enjoy their “friendship.” Yes, the partnership is clouded in darkness and deceit, but there is an observation that both characters enjoy crafting and creating wonders. Annatar, while likely manipulating Celebrimbor, tells him that he’s enjoyed their time together. But there’s probably some truth to that.

Annatar Commands The Elves Against The Siege of Eregion

Celebrimbor’s reality is not real. Adar’s army has laid siege on the city of Eregion. Sauron wants this to happen. 

Annatar tells Mirdania that Celebrimbor’s mind has gone, which leads to her grabbing his arm intimately. At this point, Sauron has wormed his evil to every mind in the city. Annatar tells Mirdania she will be rewarded – ironic phrasing, considering what happens later in the episode.

Adar’s military mind is strong. His army aims for the mountains behind Eregion, forcing rocks to collapse and damming the river so they can cross for ground assault.

The effort of the previous six episodes is playing out. This is Adar and Sauron’s time to play out this battle in their favor. From an emotional standpoint, seeing Eregion fall into darkness is upsetting. A great Elven city and the great Lord Celebrimbor are befallen by the trickery and deceit of Sauron, who is commanding them all.

Annatar (Sauron) walks out to Eregion that’s falling under Adar’s army (Credit – Prime Video)

Elrond Visits Khazad-dûm

While Eregion falls, the fate of Khazad-dûm hangs in the balance in Season 2, Episode 7. King Durin III is turned by greed. The King does not care for the Siege of Eregion, and instead, he asks Narvi to take back the mine from his son.

But, in a moment of unity, hope, and understanding, Narvi and the dwarves stand with Prince Durin and Princess Disa, knowing that the ring has taken their King’s mind. 

A sweet reunion follows between elf and dwarf, Elrond and Prince Durin. Elrond is desperate in “Doomed to Die.” He asks his old friend for aid to stop the destruction of Eregion and to help the fate of Middle Earth.

This friendship never ceases to amaze me. Despite the time and space between them, there’s so much platonic love when they are in a room together. Sadly, there’s no joy between them anymore. Durin is concerned about overthrowing his father, and Elrond fears Sauron and the fate of the elves. Their objectives are similar but far apart. I wish their friendship could be less complicated.

Celebrimbor Figures Out His Altered Reality Prism

Annatar reaches the point of impatience in Season 2, Episode 7. He wants the rings finished. However, he underestimated Celebrimbor’s intelligence. The great Elven Smith has figured out that his reality has been altered. He’s noticing patterns throughout the day – a cycle. He’s observed that the candles are not burning by an inch.

Annatar decides to slip his mask and tells Celebrimbor that he sought peace, so he gives it to him, which makes Celebrimbor even more frustrated. He wants to know who he is.

What follows is an aggressive Annatar demanding the Nine Rings for Mortal Men to be made, but Celebrimbor is angry and throws the hammer through the window. He hears the war in Eregion, and he’s mortified. His soul looks destroyed as he sees the real world before him, plunged into darkness and the surrounding areas of the forge in ruins.

I hated seeing Celebrimbor sobbing in pain as he saw his city slowly fall, but I’m also glad the writers gave him a capacity for intelligence. Celebrimbor is one of the Greats in Tolkien’s legendary world. He needed to figure out his altered reality for the good of the character.

In his hysteria and broken mind, Celebrimbor notices the jar of mithril is not mithril at all but black blood.

Annatar plays his final hand. He tells him that true creation needs sacrifice and shows his black, bloody hand. He then reveals that he is Sauron.

Like at the end of Season 1, Sauron reveals his hand in the dying moments when he has his victim in despair. He knows that his partnership with Celebrimbor is over, so to his satisfaction, he reveals his plans and designs.

The Death of Mirdania

Celebrimbor, knowing he has been deceived and plunged into the darkness of Sauron, heads outside to the destruction that is circling Eregion. He desperately tries telling Mirdania that he has been deceived, but honestly, he sounds like a babbling madman, and Mirdania appears scared of him.

Below Celebrimbor, the orcs are attempting to breach the wall of Eregion, and that’s when Sauron appears again. However, the Elves now see him as Annatar, Lord of Eregion. They side with Annatar against Celebrimbor. Celebrimbor tries to prove that Annatar is Sauron and asks him to reveal his black, bloodied, and soaked hand. But when Annatar shows his hand, the blood is red.

Celebrimbor gets more frustrated, so Mirdania grabs him. In a tragic moment, Sauron uses his powers on Celebrimbor to control him, forcing him to push Mirdania off the edge of the high wall of Eregion, plunging her to her death.

Sauron, once again, blackmails Celebrimbor; he tells him to finish the Nine Rings, and in return, he’ll save the city and create a lasting peace.

That ends the rumors and theories surrounding Mirdania and her being Celebrian. In the end, she was merely another pawn in Sauron’s plans. A character to be enjoyed but was short-lived.

The Unexpected Kiss Between Elrond and Galadriel

Yes, Elrond and Galadriel kiss in ‘The Rings of Power’ Season 2, Episode 7 (Credit – Prime Video)

I was not expecting a kiss between Elrond and Galadriel. I merely deemed them as platonic, and I believe they still are. I’ve defended The Rings of Power since the start, but I do not think this moment helped its cause.

Elrond finally arrives with his army with High King Gil-Galad by his side. It’s a beautiful moment that teases the audience of a bigger battle. But as swords are about to be brandished, Adar reveals he has Galadriel imprisoned amongst his army, causing Elrond and his army to stop marching.

So, a momentary ceasefire follows, with Adar and Elrond having a slight negotiation. Adar offers his usual thesis: that he needs Nenya, the ring that Galadriel bore, to defeat Sauron. He explains that Celebrimbor and Eregion have fallen to darkness and that the Elves cannot beat him in battle.

But Elrond feels he has the secret upper hand (with Durin and his army) and refuses to cooperate with Adar despite Adar threatening to kill Galadriel.

Elrond says goodbye to Galadriel and asks her to forgive him. She tells him to win. As he leaves, he touches her face and kisses her. Of course, as he kisses her, he gives her a sharp device to help her free herself and escape.

Meanwhile, Prince Durin rallies his Dwarven army. He warns them of Sauron and the fate of Middle Earth and asks them to fight in Eregion to save Khazad-dûm.

But it’s at this point that Elrond’s plans are thwarted. Narvi tells Durin that his father has turned on his men with an axe, and he’s digging further into the mines, which will release the beast (balrog). Durin is asked to recall his army.

The intention behind the kiss between Galadriel and Elrond will be discussed in depth because we know Elrond ends up marrying Galadriel’s daughter. Many will argue that Elrond kisses Galadriel to distract Adar and the orcs so he can give her the sharp device to help her escape, while others will ask if the writers could have done this scene differently.

The War at Eregion Resumes

Elrond marches on with his army in the first epic battle of The Rings of Power. For the first time, we see younger Elrond in action.

The orcs struggle to breach the wall to Eregion, but Adar refuses to retreat. His love for his “children” is tested as he tells one of the orcs they cannot be Sauron’s slaves. But this is a moment where we must ask: but at what cost?

As Galadriel escapes the orcs’ camp, she’s surrounded by the enemy, but Arondir’s arrival finally comes to fruition when he saves her. Galadriel plans to reach the city and find Sauron, but Arondir has other ideas: he wants to kill Adar and is considering risking his life.

In a poignant, touching moment, Galadriel tells Arondir that it would be a “pity to lose another elf” and that the true fight against Adar will come later. Galadriel understands what’s at stake for her race. It’s dawning on her the burden of the darkness forthcoming.

Of course, the siege of Eregion is going to be the selling point of Season 2, Episode 7. However, it’s what is at stake that feels epic. Amongst all the war, there’s so much confusion. Episode 7 feels, for the first time, Sauron’s Middle Earth. It has the same seismic impact as The Two Towers when Middle Earth is at boiling point for the first time in the movies.

Adar is battle-ready as he lays siege to Eregion with his army.

Sauron Explains His Vision For Middle Earth And His Torment With Morgoth

Wholly compromised and manipulated, Celebrimbor continues to make the Nine Rings for Men with Sauron (removing “Annatar” from the descriptors as the characters are aware of who he is), overlooking his work.

Sauron promises Celebrimbor that Middle Earth will heal, and their sufferings will be worth it. He then describes to the elf the torture he endured by Morgoth, a God, and the pain he had to suffer as Celebrimbor argues the torture he is being put under.

Like in previous chapters, Sauron describes his vision for Middle Earth: to make it perfect, whereas Morgoth tried to destroy it. Sauron does not see the irony in this scene: that the same pain Morgoth inflicted on him is the same he’s doing to Celebrimbor.

But then, Sauron gaslights Celebrimbor and claims the elf chose to torment himself, and shockingly, calls himself a victim of his obstinance and calls Celebrimbor the “true author of his torment.”

Sauron does not see the irony of his statements, and as Celebrimbor iterates, he has become so great at deceiving that he has deceived himself. That is an outrageous quote to throw at the Dark Lord.

“You truly are the Great Deceiver, you can Deceive even yourself.”

When Sauron is out of sight, Celebrimbor throws the Nine Rings for Mortal Men in the forge fire, hoping to destroy them, but it does not work, so he places them in a pouch.

In a moment of pure desperation and horror, Celebrimbor cuts off one of his thumbs so he can free himself from his imprisonment.

“Whose will is the mightier”

Celebrimbor, knowing he has been deceived, is freeing himself from the darkness. He uses his will to escape his manacles, representing his courage to escape the darkness. His determination to take the rings away from Sauron’s ownership is a moment of courage.

Galadriel Finds Celebrimbor

Celebrimbor heads outside again, but his army tries taking him back into the tower by order of “Annatar, Lord of Eregion.”

But then, Galadriel appears and tells the soldiers to stand down, explaining that Celebrimbor is the Lord of Eregion. She now sees the broken Celebrimbor before her for the first time and reconciles with him.

Celebrimbor admits that some of him knew Annatar was Sauron, and Galadriel admits she did the same.

Both elves share a moment of shame and acceptance for losing themselves to the Dark Lord. 

Celebrimbor insists that Galadriel must escape Eregion with the Nine Rings and gives her the pouch while he faces Sauron alone. Galadriel is sorry that she brought Sauron to Eregion unintentionally, but in a heartwarming moment that will resonate with the rest of the story, Celebrimbor explains that “no one is strong enough” but that in darkness, the light will endure and is mightier than strength.

Celebrimbor’s show of courage once Galadriel shows up is mesmerizing. For him to find light and hope in such dread and darkness made his tragedy all worthwhile. You can only love Celebrimbor because of what he has faced. His words for Galadriel are enlightening and unexpected, considering how much his mind has been deceived and manipulated.

He could have easily escaped with the Nine Rings himself and obsessed over his works, but instead, he chose the sacrifice of facing Sauron alone.

Time For Damrod

Damrod is used in battle in ‘The Rings of Power’ Season 2, Episode 7.

The Siege of Eregion reaches boiling point near the end of Season 2, Episode 7. Elrond refuses to give up. His might and determination to fight makes for cinematic value. He does not want the orcs to breach Eregion’s wall, which leads to one of his brave elves, Rian, who is close to death, shooting an arrow with fire to blow up the Ravager that was nearly breaching the wall. Rest in peace, Rian.

Seeing that his army is losing the battle and the breach of the wall, Adar sends in Damrod, the Hill Troll, knowing full well the troll will kill orcs in his path. This is a turning point, as the orcs will realize he will sacrifice them for his objectives. It makes them question whether they truly are his children.

Damrod causes havoc, and despite Elrond and the elves throwing everything at him, he does manage to shake the wall a few times with the Ravager.

Eventually, however, a resilient Arondir and Elrond finish Damrod off, killing him. High King Gil-Galad then makes an appearance on the battlefield. He may be a King, but he’s ready to fight on the front line.

Adar then sends more Orc legions towards Eregion.

There’s an inevitability to Season 2, Episode 7. The Fall of Eregion is destined. And you can feel it in the characters. Despite their earnest efforts to battle, they never look entirely sure of protecting it. It’s Sauron’s design that Eregion falls, which brings that air of inevitability.

But as for Damrod – this was cool! The Hill Troll was teased in earlier chapters and is used effectively here. It brought an excellent juncture to the battle, too.

Sauron Demands The Nine Rings

Sauron truly is Sauron now. The gloves are off. Annatar is no more. He looks for the Nine Rings, but he cannot find them. Celebrimbor returns to the towers and tells him the Nine Rings are out of his reach.

But Sauron uses his will and power to force the soldiers protecting Celebrimbor to kill themselves. He demands for the Nine Rings again.

The tragedy of Celebrimbor continues.

Durin Recalled His Army in Tragic Ending For Eregion

It was expected that Durin would recall his army, but it is tragic that Elrond and Gil-Galad look on helplessly as Adar gathers more of his army.

But High King Gil-Galad shows courage again, asking the elves to enter formation, ready to battle: a small legion against a whole orc army. 

Elrond is in denial, believing “Durin will come,” and he keeps repeating it. He’s in shell shock. The first test of Sauron in the Second Age has come to this, and you can see it etched on his face.

To make matters worse, Adar brutally hurts Arondir, and then the wall of Eregion is breached. The fall of Eregion begins.

Adar picks Elrond up by the neck and throws him to the ground. The episode ends with Adar holding the Ring Nenya.

This was an incredible end to a fantastic episode, which will be remembered alongside Episode 6 and Episode 2 of Season 2.