Halls of Stone

The biggest complaint I have with the show is the pacing and the way it balances the multiple storylines in each episode.

However, this episode was mostly engaging from start to finish, focusing on what's important, THE RINGS OF POWER themselves. This is an episode that doesn't have any action, mostly just dialogue, but the conversations between Annatar and Celebrimbor are absolutely riveting, seeing Sauron being all smirky is also entertaining in a way, the scenes with the Dwarves are also really good, giving more stakes because of the rings themselves.

The only thing that slowed down the episode a bit was the Numenor plot, but still not as slow as the Nori, Theo and Wizard scenes

So overall, that is why I think this episode was the best of the entire show so far and I have many reasons to believe the next 3 episodes can easily top it *wink* (battle for eregion)

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!

This episode really gave the series some momentum going forward now with some of the action and thrill of the characters becoming more serious to the reality of what's happening with the rings. Took a season and a half to get us here but fingers crossed the show kicks on now and shows its true potential.

Hoping that the remainder of the season will show some clever decisions from our lead characters in order to work together to fight against Sauron and not to be mislead over and over (Calabrimbor).. hoping the High King will listen to his council and send Aid to the ones who will need the help of the elves.

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.

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.