‘The Rings of Power’ Season 2 Episode 4 Review - Things are Going South

In my review of the first three episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, I expressed optimism that the lackluster energy from the third episode would dissipate by Episode 4. Unfortunately, things haven't improved much in this episode. It starts on an exciting note but becomes dreary as it moves forward. There is tension between Galadriel and Elrond, and you can derive some pleasure from their disagreement. When Elrond tells Galadriel to gather an archer and two swordsmen ("I trust you can recommend a set"), she responds, "Trust? Me? Are you certain that's wise, commander?" When Galadriel and Elrond, with their team, reach a broken bridge, they again oppose one another. To reach Celebrimbor, the group could either go north (and add two weeks to their journey) or head south (and fall into the hands of an evil filled with malice). Galadriel prefers the first option, but Elrond is the commander, and he thinks Galadriel's decision is influenced by the ring. So, of course, they all go south, through the hills of Tyrn Gorthad.

Elsewhere, in the middle of a desert, the Stranger searches for Poppy and Nori and encounters Tom Bombadil, a goat farmer. Tom doesn't like to give direct answers. When the Stranger says he is looking for his friends and not searching for a goat, Tom remarks, "Well, there's what you're searchin' for, and there's what you find, now, isn't there?" What the Stranger finds is a sentient tree that traps him when he attempts to break one of its branches to use it as a stick to control his magic. The Stranger later learns that the tree has a name: Old Man Ironwood. Treat it like a human - refer to him with the pronouns "he/him." If the Stranger wants a branch of this tree, he should simply ask him. The Stranger isn't the only character in Episode 4 who comes across a conscious woody perennial plant. Isildur, Estrid, and Arondir confront two trees who really hate the whole deforestation thing. "Hast thou ever touched axe to wooded life?" one of them inquires. If your answer is yes, then be prepared for the wrath of this tall wooded life. Isildur, Estrid, and Arondir also fight with a giant snake-like creature. Their face-offs with all kinds of magical creatures should have been fascinating. Unfortunately, it isn't, mainly because the visuals merely look well-produced, and well-rendered. They don't exude any sense of thrill or excitement.

This is strange because the first two episodes sweep you off your feet with rich, colorful, real but fantastical images. From the beginning of Episode 3, this quality has only deteriorated. In the fourth episode, the images look more bland. The night scenes are still less mystical and more pallid or incomprehensible. As a result, the Barrow-wights lose their spookiness - they simply appear as competent CGI figures. Even a sweet moment like the one where a tree plucks its flower and hands it over to a character loses its charm. That sequence involving a snake-like monster isn't allowed to build towards something dreadful. It merely comes and goes like a footnote. Even the "I trust you/I trust you not" beats between Isildur and Estrid are played flatly. You don't feel anything between them. Episode 4 has a swift momentum, but it's too mechanical. Scenes unfold without vigor. By the time you reach that big moment towards the end, you don't experience enthusiasm, only exhaustion.

Final Score – [5/10]