Episode 3 of Season 2 of "The Rings of Power" kicks off with a thunderous entrance as Elendil's trusty steed, Berek, boldly breaches the shadows of Mordor. Undeterred by the ominous terrain, the steed single-handedly dispatches two Orcs with unwavering ferocity before daringly venturing into the heart of the Black Forest, where few dare to tread, let alone return. Amidst the gloom, Berek discovers Isildur, entangled in a web spun by a formidable spider, its eggs beginning to crackle with the birth of countless offspring.
With herculean effort, Isildur frees himself from the web's grasp, only to find himself pursued by Shelob, albeit in a more diminutive form than her LOTR counterpart. Thanks to Berek's timely intervention, Isildur narrowly escapes the spider's clutches.
Meanwhile, in Numenor, the air is heavy with grief as Elendil and Earien pay their last respects to the fallen King. Pharazon arrives with Queen Muriel, accompanied by nobles from the North, many of whom harbor discontent towards Muriel's leadership. Amidst the tension, a nobleman strikes the Queen, yet Muriel responds with unexpected compassion, embracing the woman and offering solace for her loss.
Later, Pharazon counsels Muriel on the significance of her upcoming coronation, the choice between a white or red gown. He whispers of the rarity of an eagle's presence during such ceremonies, foreshadowing its appearance, given the episode's title, "The Eagle." Muriel elects the white gown, a symbol of reverence for her father, but whispers of doubt persist among the elite, questioning her ability to lead, blinded as she is.
Valandil stands as her champion, recalling Muriel's miraculous survival through a fiery pyroclastic flow, vouching for her strength and wisdom. Meanwhile, Muriel's bracelet uncovers a dark secret: the palantir, a tool fraught with peril.
Parallel to these events, the "sympathetic orc" narrative deepens. An Orc voice, tinged with worry, questions Adar's relentless pursuit of war: "We have found a home here; must we return to conflict?" The Orc's concern extends to his 'elf babies,' revealing a twisted humanity within the epitome of evil. Adar sternly warns that true safety will only come when Sauron is vanquished. The scene concludes with a poignant glimpse of a helpless baby Orc, a poignant reminder of the innocent lives caught in the web of war.
Suddenly, a troll emerges, its visage eerily reminiscent of Mike Ermentrout from the depths of Breaking Bad's dark allure. It demands to know the whereabouts of Sauron, and seemingly strikes a sinister bargain with Adar. In the meantime, the dwarves make their presence known at Eragion, offering the Rings of Power as a beacon of hope to rejuvenate their mountain, just as it had miraculously restored their tree. Mithril has turned their fortunes around, and Celebrimbor holds fast to the belief that this same magic can work wonders for the dwarves.
Enter Sauron, masquerading as "Annatar," a supposed friend. Durin's eyes narrow with skepticism, particularly when Annatar speaks glowingly of Elrond's warm reception. As Disa and Durin deliberate their next move, Durin's stubbornness rears its head, refusing to swallow his pride and confront his father directly, at least initially.
In their absence, Sauron weaves his enchantment around Celebrimbor, having spent eons meticulously preparing for this moment. He sees it as his crowning achievement, unwilling to let the High King usurp his triumph.
Isildur finds himself lost in the treacherous marshes, fleeing Shelob's lair. He rides his steed through the dense forest, stumbling upon a forsaken scene—a wrecked cart and a sea of lifeless bodies, yet amidst them, a glimmer of hope: Estrid, a girl still clinging to life. She jabs him in the thigh, apologetic for mistaking him for an orc.
Together, they forge ahead towards Pelargir, an ancient Numenorean settlement. The harbor lies barren of ships, but their path is beset by a deadly orc ambush. Their fate hangs in the balance until Arondir swoops in to save them. He recognizes Isildur but his mind is consumed by personal demons, for Pelargir is also the site of a solemn funeral for his beloved Bronwyn, whose passing occurred off-screen.
Undeterred, Isildur attends, and Theo tends to his thigh, the scar of Estrid's misunderstanding. He vows that the Numenoreans will reclaim their land, promising Isildur a way home. Theo arranges a rendezvous at moonrise that very night, to reclaim Isildur's steed, Berek, and to arm him with a sword, for the road ahead is fraught with peril.
As the narrative unfolds, Estrid's back bears the ominous stigma of Sauron, scorched in a desperate act of self-purgation. Meanwhile, Isildur and Theo's unexpected arrival at an outlying fort presages danger, with Isildur's mount leading them into a treacherous ambush, the perpetrator's identity shrouded in mystery—even as Theo too vanishes, leaving the specter of a troll hanging in the air.
Durin, after much hesitation, finally musters the courage to confront his father. Within the depths of their chambers, King Durin, having just opened the stores to alleviate hunger, reveals the gravity of their situation. He divulges whispers of the Rings of Power, intertwining his apology with a confession of stubborn ignorance and disrespect. His distrust of Eregion's power runs deep, fearing it portends a calamity beyond measure.
Amidst the coronation rites, Queen Muriel's ascension is met with a jarring discord as voices from the crowd accuse her of being the Queen of Lies. Turning with empathy, Muriel acknowledges their anguish, vowing to chart a path that echoes their yearning. Suddenly, Earien emerges, her passion igniting a call for Isildur's salvation, wielding the palantir as a beacon of truth. While some urge its destruction, Muriel argues for its necessity, sparking a tumultuous conflict within the chamber.
Yet, amidst the chaos, a majestic eagle soars into the fray, its arrival a portentous sign that stuns all. Pharazon, seizing the moment, emerges as the de facto leader, usurping Muriel's authority and asserting his intentions to guide them forward.
Elsewhere, King Durin's decisive hand transfers the precious mithril to Celebrimbor, sealing their fateful pact to forge the Rings of Power, a course once resisted but now embraced with resolve.
