I hate it when TV shows, with their multiple episodes and long runtime, choose to take narrative shortcuts like movies, which sometimes have to compress certain things or convey them through brief gestures due to a limitation of runtime. A movie can carry a love at first sight to the passionate depths of romance within the first 5 or 30 minutes of the story if it has to weave together several plotlines. If The Rings of Power had been a feature film, I wouldn't have minded the kiss between Merimac and Poppy. But when I saw it in Episode 6, I wondered why the creators didn't allow this relationship to develop more before giving us this kiss. Merimac and Poppy have found each other attractive since their first meeting. The Rings of Power could have given us more scenes of them getting to know and growing close to each other so that we would have felt something during the kiss. The problem is only exacerbated by the fact that Merimac and Poppy don't share a believable chemistry. Their shy gazes, and their romantic mannerisms, seem borrowed from other cinematic love birds. Both characters look cute, but the intimacy is devoid of an impassioned energy.
For a fiery rapport, turn towards Disa and Prince Durin. This couple continues to be the best thing about this series. They not only exist on the same spectrum but also pull us into their frequency. Look how proudly Durin says I love you and smiles, and Disa replies, "Love me later," with equal enthusiasm and a sense of urgency. You can chop all the other threads, put all the focus on these two characters, and call the show Disa and Durin: A Feverish Love Story. I suspect it would offer rewards more consistently than The Rings of Power series. We would get visual magic from the couple's expressions, while the drama would arise from their sometimes intense, sometimes playful relationship. But it's not just Disa and Durin. The scene where Durin IV first asks and then forces King Durin III to take off the ring has more turbulent force than whatever we saw between Elrond and Galadriel. The latter is currently held captive by Adar. Adar launches an attack on Celebrimbor's region. Celebrimbor hears a warning signal, but when he goes out, he sees only sunshine and happy faces. How? Because of Sauron, the master manipulator. The world is his chessboard, and he is moving everybody like chess pieces.
The Stranger is one of the characters who have the power to thwart Sauron's evil plans. Tom Bombadil presents him with a choice between pursuing his destiny or continuing the search for his friends, Poppy and Nori. The darkness that Sauron brings with him can look bleak. He imbues The Rings of Power with a sense of hopelessness that seems predetermined. No matter what anyone does here, Sauron's victory looks like a guarantee. During such a horrible time, you seek moments of joy, which you find in Episode 6. When Míriel emerges innocent from a water trial, the characters burst into happiness, and you smile because Pharazôn's face reeks of defeat. The sight of someone you dislike hiding their embarrassment is always satisfying.
Final Score – [6/10]