Halls of Stone

This is the frist episode that truly felt like a Lord of the Rings adaptation to me. I liked season 1 and season 2 so far but that Episode just raised the bar. The tention througout is brilliantly crafted. Saurons decieving is masterfully written.

The structure of this episode is way better than before and it focuses on the main themes in this season. The lack of a certain storyline does help this matter a lot.

It resonates with the charchters and you will actually feel for them. A task the show was lacking a bit as of now. For me by far the best episode of the whole series. If the continue like that for this season and the coming ones. My god we are in for a ride.

This episode shows what the show could have been if it had ditched the ridiculous Harfoot storyline. Once it can focus on the stories of Elvendom, Sauron and Numenor - the epic stories - it unfolds its full potential. I really wish the showrunners had not intertwined so many different storylines instead of concentrating on a few like they did in this episode. I feel like they felt the fans would miss the Hobbits too much, so they included the abomination that is the Harfoots. Its a shame because the set design and acting are amazing and my biggest fear is going back to the Harfoots and pseudo-Gandalf in the next episode.

This show juggles a lot of different plotlines, and is at its worst when it centers on those, that are boring and brings out zero investment on my behalf!

However this episode, actually had some plotlines that had me invested! I felt like the plotlines bounced of each other nicely rather than 3 different things that had nothing to do with each other!

As other have pointed out, it felt like we were getting closer to the Meat and the entire reason for why this show exists! Show me the influence of the rings, as well as Saurons influence and manipulation! I enjoyed that we finally got to see what the rings do!

The themes of greed were handled well in all 3 storylines! Giving us that cohesive experience, which I think is what elevates this episode!

I hope the episodes following this, continues the trend of a more focused storyline!

For me, this is the best episode of the season. Darkness thickens in the hearts of the races of Middle-earth. And we already see how the rings of power begin to work for their creator, the Lord of the Ring. This episode is a masterfully created drama by the actors, composers, and scriptwriters.

As a reader of Tolkien's legendarium, I am impressed by this titanic work of show-crafting that we can see in this fantastic, enjoyable TV series. The depth of character development, the attention to detail in every scene, and the sheer artistry involved have elevated this adaptation. It is a tribute to Tolkien's genius, combining awe-inspiring visuals and good performances that leave a lasting emotional impact.

Each episode feels like a journey into Middle-earth itself, a testament to the creators' passion and respect for the source material that gives us more reflection and thinking about ourselves and the nature of how to live during uneasy times (like Gandalf said one time).

A television show about the Second Age of the Middle-earth probably shines the most if it gets into details the manipulation and corruption that took place in this particular era of Tolkien's world. From Numenor to Eregion, this episode really hit that spot. While some things feel rushed, such as the the conflict between The Faithful and The King's Men and the creation of the Doors of Durin, plenty of air is also given to Vickers and Edwards who shine brighly as Annatar and Celebrimbor respectively. Two great actors predictably shine brightly when they interact, and in this episode the tension between the two was palpable. Peter Mullens as Durin III also does a great job of demonstrating the impact of the rings on the Dwarves, even if their effects appear quicker due to the condensing of time in the series. One particular scene in Numenor felt appropiately dark and really hammered home how quickly things have gone south on the island. Overall, this is probably my favorite episode from the series along with Episode 6 from Season 1.