Udûn

From Episode 5, we were expecting the big battle between Orcs and the humans of the Southlands. Which happens, but with several surprises.

What really astonishes is what Adar later explains. His relationship with Sauron, which is not what was expected.

From Episode 5, I had thought of an extra. Tolkien's own notes, written up for The Silmarillion, suggest that Sauron tried to repent. So he could both be The Stranger and genuinely trying to help. I wrote a blog on this: 'The Rings of Power: Not All Who Wonder Or Wander Are Lost'.

What comes out now is nothing I expected, but supporting this view. Watch it and be amazed!

We now see why the start was slow. What is unfolding is different from what Tolkien wrote. But very consistent with his repeated point that it is easy to become evil by using the wrong methods with a real intent to do good.

Wow. Seventy minutes of exciting action, beautiful and moving moments. This episode made all of us, almost shout at the tv worrying about our favourite characters. Arondir is just so terrific and Bronwyn and Galadriel are too as is Halbrand. The exciting battles were reminiscent of true LoTR Helms Deep. You just had to see what would happen next!! All the people who have criticised the colour and gender mix of this series are missing so much, Numenor and the boats were just too glorious to behold, tonight's episode built on character development and shows so much promise for what's coming next. The people who might criticise this brilliant episode, they just need to turn off the tv and go to bed!

I haven't minded the series up until now, but I have been yearning for a great fight scene/battle. In this episode we get that and more. I was honestly on the edge of my seat and when I checked the run time expecting the episode to finish there was still 25 minutes left of the episode. The story is still quite messy, with a few plot lines not making much sense and alot of things happen by chance. But Im willing to ignore these negatives with the fight scenses in this episode and some of the choreography. The music was brilliant this episode, it really captured the lord of the rings feelings that the series has missed. The ending was fantastic too, I honestly can't wait until the next episode. 9/10, I hope the next two episodes are as action packed as this one.

After a lot of set-up and introduction to characters, motivations, goals and different locations we finally get an episode where it feels like there is a plot and story moving forward!!

The production value really shows! Everything looked great in this episode! Great direction and visuals! This was the first episode that bad me on the edge at some parts! The show felt boring at times doing some of the previous episodes, but this was the first episode that i enjoyed from beginning to end!

Overall i feel like we are closing in on the ACTUAL show and story! The last 5min blew me Away! I have not read the source material but i think i know what it means!

This episode was the closest to Peter jacksons movies!

Amazing episode. Yes there are still a lot of conveniences and characters are protected with plot armor, but this episode was just thrilling from start to finish with the ending image quite a sight to see. Some serious tension throughout but also still found so much time for levity with the villagers. Adar has been so cliched so far but this episode gave him some fascinating development. The real star though was the directing from Charlotte Brandstrom. Really felt like out of all the directors so far, she replicates Peter Jackson style in the best ways: the sweeping shots of the armies and horse riding, the almost slasher body horror of war, but also real moments of emotion. I kinda squealed when Isildur got that side hug from daddy. This is fun TV!