The Reel Rejects - THE RINGS OF POWER 2x08 Breakdown & Review!!!

Episode Date: October 4, 2024

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Your personal messages stay between you, your friends, and your family. No one else. Not even us. What's up? Message privately with everyone. Ten rings for everyone. Let's do this thing. the sword, John.

It will. Well, oh my goodness. We did it, gang. We did it. We made it to the end of season two. That we did. The rings of power. One show to rule them all.

G. Listen, all right. I'm going to tell you what you thought of this episode. Please. It's a pretty solid end of the season. A couple of little details and things. maybe could have been

expounded upon a little bit you know there are a couple moments that feels like we skipped a few pages

oh my God John you are nitpicking so much whoa whoa sorry you just don't know how to enjoy television

and because of those few things I will not acknowledge the fact that most of this was pretty compelling had good performances

some really striking action and visual language about it yeah but you said a couple of things you know I did

and I'd like to go back to those what did you think gee what did you what did you think of the episode i thought it was really good yeah it was a solid episode yeah there's a couple of things that i'm like wait huh wait we skipped that and uh how this happened and maybe that's just my inability to understand what went down because you're not smart because i'm not smart as smart as jr r to something even though my eyes didn't leave the screen i still'm like i don't know how this happened you must have had it had it's okay Exactly the Goliadryl heal.

I feel like there's a piece of information that we missed. Yay. You know. Yie! The rings plus, you know, elven mystical prayer. What is that mean? Yeah, I don't know. How to Aaron Deer come back after it looked dire for him in the last episode?

We kind of skipped over that, too. Yeah, he just survived a wound. He's just fine. Which is fine. I like him. I'm happy. He's here. And then, yeah.

And Adar with the ring. I felt like that was a little bit. Yeah, especially when that was kind of the cliffhanger of last episode. Yeah. And I think the building up of his exit, like I like the, I like the, I like his exit, but I feel like there could have maybe in this episode specifically been a little more, I don't know, something to like really make that momentous or make the betrayal of that like hit rather than you sitting there going like, I bet that's going to happen, you know. Yeah, yeah.

specifically with like the you know that just us the audience being like i bet you know this is going to go badly well i think overall this season was a lot stronger um i really feel like this show has actually because the first first half of this season was the show looks like it's finding its strike and then i feel like towards the last half of this uh season i feel like it has found its stride uh whatever if there's like a little thing here there where you're like i don't know about this it doesn't mean the show is not flowing it doesn't mean the show hasn't found its engine i i think the show has found its footing and it's their battle to lose now in terms of will they maintain its strength um but i like eladryl a lot in this episode i feel like out of all

characters she's kind of the one that gets like the most shit and i should have i really liked her here um i found i i noticed this show was really working for me during the fight scene between her and Sauron because a lot of times when you're like all right well I know I know there's a whole future with these characters so there's no one's gonna die here or if she does die she'll come back

you know so what my point with that is my mind wasn't jumping there and pulling me out yeah and the stakes if it's good enough you're still able to be pulled in and enjoying it yeah to the moment yeah and so I was really I was really pulled into that beautiful visuals

throughout Calibrimbor's death I like how Sauron does shed a tear because he's like a compelling character here of a man with a variety of emotions like a real abuser guy where like yeah at times I am like

oh yeah Charlie Vickers like big props because I mean you know in the first season there was a lot of that sort of like he's probably Sauron and like him as Hal Brand I certainly enjoyed but I feel like this season especially has really highlighted like what a great casting choice and two it's really gratifying to see like yeah with the struggles that the first season maybe had at least for our

viewing experience uh to see that like they really chose a great performer the right performer i would say for you know sauron anatar et cetera because like i believe every shade and there are still times where i sit there and wonder if he's having like an authentic feeling when he is slipping back into his more benevolent, seeming side or something like that. So, like, you know, it's good. It's a good quality performance.

I do think he's a really good performer. And the orc betrayal? Yeah, I do kind of wish we had a little bit. Like, we saw it coming from last episode when he's like, hey, Ar, you said you loved us. Yeah. So, yeah, the betrayal, I'm not saying it's, like, bad that it was, like, predictable.

I just think that I wish we had a little bit more time I wish we could have lived in that transition Especially when Adar having like a change of heart When you catch up to him Yeah I feel like you could Living in that a little longer

Could have enhanced the tragedy of it Because like his turn there Seems like something that would only benefit His children as well Oh my God the ballrog sequence is awesome It was legitimate Yeah yeah and I like the you know Back and forth between Duren

Father and son and the whole arm wrestling thing was sweet. And yeah, just like the scope and the scale. And it's one of those things where like, yeah, it's not an episode like, oh, we're doing a bunch of ballrog fights. But like, it's very striking and memorable in the time that they had to portray that. Yeah, absolutely.

And I think that was, that's another example of, yeah, like I think the pacing, even though we have talked about the pacing of individual episodes, I think this season has done really nicely to pick and choose when to focus on certain things in certain episodes and here even though you are kind of checking in with everything I thought the proportionality was pretty good and so you know you have all that stuff with the Balrog

which then gives you a nice kind of reason to be like well the dwarves got their hands full until they ultimately show up and help save the day for the elves but even that doesn't feel like the most triumphant thing given the circumstances like yeah I feel like they've balanced their moving parts against each other nicely I want to apologize in advance I have I don't like texting in the middle

I really hate doing that I am currently managing a lot of different things at once at the moment and I'm like I just want to be in the moment to talk about the show but I'm like if I don't respond to this is just going to keep blowing up and everything's like time sensitive today

you keep picking up plot lines in your phone we can't afford to cut you every episode just keep filling the silence John that's right yeah just keep filling the silence not like I could just cut this out And we also got Isildor back. We got a little bit with Theo. And it's things like that.

Like those sequences, like I appreciate that they give us time to miss certain characters. And then seeing Theo and Isildur again was like, oh, cool, I've missed you guys a bit. And then having at least that brief reuniting with the snively guy whose name I forget, you know, and having the truth come out there. Like this hasn't done a ton for Isildor this season. But that also kind of, I don't know, somehow makes that. the map and the breadth of everything feel a bit more real, because I'm like, yeah, in the future I know he's going to continue to rise

to prominence here, but like in terms of what stage of the fall of Middle Earth were in, it kind of makes sense. And then, yeah, to get him back, the little acknowledgement of Barrick, and then yeah, setting him out on the next season's journey, I thought was just a nice kind of, at least way to,

you know, it's like the Theo Isildor and Isildor's new girlfriend's stuff hasn't been like the most forefronted of the season by any stretched and arguably it's probably more toward the back of all the things focused on but even that you know i thought was nice uh and checking back in with things going on in numinor uh and you know homeboy heading out into the wilderness and the queen being i mean that stuff this episode was the most probably like that really crescendoed in the previous one and now you know today i feel like uh what was cool

about it is the only parts i feel like oh you're just setting up for season three are some of the the dialogue exchanges at the very end. True. But a lot of the other scenes, I wasn't even registering them as, like, oh, they're just setting up for season three. Like the scenes in the house were good. Also, but a numinor was good.

Even the daughter coming around and help the dad. And then silver is his name? What's the guy? Oh, oh. I got his name. Ellen Deal. Yeah, yeah. And then even with the Seildor as well.

Like a lot of this is set. up season three stuff but the scenes the immediacy of the scenes itself are are strong enough that you're like oh okay i'm just into this i'm not even thinking about a lot of times he's to roll your eyes it like you're just setting something up yeah and even the the um you know as frustrating as it is it makes a lot of sense that they would be like this divine act that you performed last week you know with the sea creature like that's actually that's all fake and uh you know you actually had help from dark forces like it's so frustrating but it also makes it a ton of sense that they would make a choice like that because, of course, and that's like some fair commentary to the now that's not like screaming modern day relevancy but, you know, it's

very tangible to it now. There's total aspects of that of what's going on in Newman or that remind me of an orange president. Oh, no. Who's... When have we ever had an orange president? Name one.

Yeah. Yeah. Totally. There's some fake news going on in Newman, or, and I also, you know, I feel like I can hear the people who hate this show online, whinging loudly at the Gandalf stuff, but I actually, I can't begrudge anybody if you think it's kind of cheesy to be like, ah, you're a grand elf, ah, Gandalf, but I thought that was actually kind of sweet. like we all know and i think maybe the benefit for the show is that like we all kind of know what that's going to become but like the whole grand elf becoming sort of in pronunciation sanded down into gandelf i thought was nice and uh you know the the the speech that poppy gives about like sometimes you can't just fix things sometimes you just have to take the pieces and start something new but that was nice i don't really know what they're going to do with the

harfuts into the future is the one question i think i wrote it it does feel like Yeah, it does feel like Nory and them are headed off and like, not that I don't enjoy slices of life, but it seems like them and the other not Harfoot Hobbit people, like, it seems like checking in with them would be mostly sort of a slice of life rather than like, oh, they're majorly engaged in the story, but maybe they have some surprise for that. This season took the time to focus its episodes and not cut around to every single plot line. And sometimes you wouldn't check in with something. Like a lot of these plot lines, we haven't seen in several episodes. And I still stand by the, I think a lot of people do. The heart foots are not the most interesting characters on the show. And as sweet of beings as they are good-hearted, there's, they're not as.

And when you have this many characters, you get to a point we're like, well, maybe we don't need these characters. well and they've been largely kind of support characters for gandalf essentially like in the first season it felt like the harfoot's way of life was some kind of forefront element whereas yeah here it seems like they're mostly accessories for his journey and i part of me it's not really a criticism but part of me is like i could see what purpose the harfoot's would serve in the overall because they are you know so um you know they're their homey and they're kind-hearted generally, unless they're leaving you behind at the caravan. They're generally, like, good-natured characters and, you know, very kind of relatable and huggable and other words. I'm not finding the right word, but you get what I mean.

And so, like, I feel like that could be a nice counter-theme and a nice counter-flavor to everything and, like, an important element of, like, yeah, these creatures, these people who you wouldn't expect to be very important to or formidable in, like, a battle or some kind of world-rending. situation they're still important what they bring their attitude their way of life is still important like i could imagine or i you know i part of me wishes that might be what their function

could be moving forward if they just find some compelling way to articulate it but i also don't quite know what that would be off the top of my head yeah that's true um but yeah it's i i like yeah the array of stories and the way that they've chosen to peer in on each one and i feel like you could, I don't know, it hasn't felt disjointed, even though you're not proportionally peering in on every storyline. Like, Isildur, for example, or the Harfoot certainly seem like they are a lot less time allotted. But it doesn't feel like lopsided or weird to me, for the most part, minus individual episodes that had like pacing issues or whatever.

Don't say that. They've never had once a pacing issue on the whole show, the first season either. John, every episode is the best episode I'm gonna let you get along They're all the best episode In the category I'm in Oh no With these fuckers

Don't let you go Do not assess You You will protect you Yes thank you Protect my precious Unadulterated viewing experience But some great effects

Some quality music And yeah Like the star of the season Has been the whole Kella Brimbor and Sauron thing Weirdly Which I Totally. I'm chilling in this one room, making rings.

But it makes sense being in the show is the rings of power, and there's so much about all that. And we still don't have the one ring, so there's some intrigue to be had there. But that was, yeah, that was like such a striking tragic thing. See what it's built up to. So it's getting annoyed. It's too much to manage. I wish there was just, like, one ring. It almost, yeah. Wish there was. You know, you could just make one ring. I've got way too many apps. I just need a cable package that has all the channels. I just have everything under one of brother

It's gonna be the ending of season three Yeah, it almost Sauron's Epiphany Oh Nine What are I doing here? Three seven, nine is way too many There's like 30 rings out there

There are way too many races I'm gonna take control I'm gonna be the manager Alright Yeah, come on Yeah This show has been on a steady Upward trajectory

And I hope that season three Continues that Because like at this point As of the last handful of episodes these past couple, I'm like, all you've got to do then is just like smooth out the couple moments where you're like, oh, I feel like we skip some stuff. Otherwise, pretty quality. And like the quality of the dialogue this season, I thought, has been a lot better, too.

It sounds Tolkien-y, but also just like the themes of what they're often talking about, at least for me, a person who has experience with the books, but is not an expert on the deepest parts of the lore. Like, this is hitting pretty well. And it's satisfying and gratifying to see a show rise to. that occasion after such a rocky start because that doesn't always happen

shows don't always get the opportunity to do that and as much as there is talk about like ah no one's watching I do hope that they get to continue and that they can continue building on this and that people recognize the improvement because

I think people do because yeah there's some really lovely stuff here and I love the world of Lord of the Rings so like these past few episodes have been a joy like it's it's transitioned into like I'm looking forward to watching rings of power now Which is like the best thing you could say

So any stray thoughts before we're Nope not you John I'm good All right well gang Tell me what I think By telling me what you think In the comments Did you like the season What are you looking forward to from season three

Hopefully we'll be back Whenever that rolls around Hopefully it doesn't take as long And yeah Be well Be good to each other And find your staff Tom Bombadale too

He was here Didn't even mention him at all Stephen Graham killing it For a character that's been well built up and people wanted to see for so long, I thought he's been pretty satisfying too. And I like him and Gandalf singing at the end.

So anyway, be well, people. We'll catch you next time. Hey, guys, we're shouting out on rings of power this time because we know this is the one everyone can't stop watching. Yeah. So we wanted to make sure we got the most eyes on us on you guys just getting shouted out today. Let's do it.

So let's do it. John, pick a theme. Okay, here we go. I'm going to commit each one of, of you, they all have a special fantasy story weapon to offer up to the quest. Got it. Lane

Papsmere. Wherever you need a Papsmere, Lane is there, ready to go. With my speculum of truth. Yep. Ben with my lance of mononymity. That's what you bring to the quest.

Mark Ryan Cabico, he brings a dictionary so he can understand what the hell is a mono what it doesn't matter mononym you're modern anonymous means you go by one name amazing uh hey michael pinada uh brings the pinn of infinite sorrows which uh you know it really hurt like one all that force like pressed into one single point is enough to like tear into your soul and bring all the trauma back oh jackson Ryan brings the indomitable bowel movement.

That way, if you're ever stressed, it's a way to relieve some. It's a real way, great way to get out of a pinch. And Joe Smith brings the castanets of eternal glory because you need a little bit of rhythm, you know, when you're rising to Valhalla or the, you know, endless realm or whatever that is called in Lord of Rings. Who's next? It's Alicia Rosales. Got it. Alicia Rosales brings the web of lies. If you're ever in need of a good lie, you just call on Alicia to get one with a really believable one.

And it's always going to come in handy on a quest. And speaking of handy on a quest, stardust and madness brings the star of indubitable madness, which, you know, one glimpse at its glowing light is enough to drive a person insane. But also, they'll tell you prophecies. Oh, I love that tail end. And Matthew Arms, Matthew Arms brings additional arms. So many more arms. Just a man carrying arms and that way if you need to sneak in.

Or, you know, it's fantasy. People get their arms cut off. You might need to replace some arms out there. Jack Forrest is just an actual forest. It's just a normal forest. Kevin Meek brings the phone of eyes. Yes, to navigate. This mystical, all-encompassing tool.

Hey, Zen science brings the beaker of blood-boiling benevolence. Just so kind, it makes you mad. Navdib Situ brings the briefcase of recruitment because it's never too late to build your network marketing team. Yes, and Heather Geer brings... The gear of wistful remembrance so that we may think back on all of our fallen brethren from the quest. Oh, my God, this is easy. Joe Fisher brings the gifts of more Joe's. Oh, so many Joe.

I bet you're that that's Joe Perra. Joe Rogan. Joe Pesci. Joe E. Diaz. Joe Flaherty. Joe Mangunello. Joe Cewa.

There are so many Joe. Absolutely. When you heard Joe Fisher, it was like, easy, Joe's. Definitely. And Kayla the King, we do it all for you. We offer all of our instruments up in your service, my liege. Olivier Hamlin brings a coin to the Witcher. That's right.

He brings the instrument. Oh, yeah, the loot. The bard is a bard. He's a barred, damn it. He's definitely a bard. And Alan Ling brings the window clings of. silly string he's just got a thing

a silly string and it's mostly annoying it doesn't really help to Quest but it does make us laugh sometimes and you gotta laugh you know on a journey he's like the Pippin oh that's cool yeah well to compliment that Kiera brings the decks of win oh the decks of win any barrier can

be rendered transparent with the decks of win and oh Juan Longoria brings the long drawn out scroll of the prophecy because obviously the prophecy is what we do all of this for that's what we're following along.

The chosen one will be anointed and the beacons will be lit and the planets will align and then the gates will open and, you know, the evil will be vanquished. And then Cliff Rodriguez, he's just got one of them ravens that you could see through, you know? When you fly, you get that kind of obscure vision.

Warg into it. That's what Cliff Rodriguez is about her. Seen through a bird. And Goat Nation actually has goats numerous enough to fill an entire nation. And so, you know, everyone's getting wool blankets thanks to goat. Because everyone needs a blanket on a journey. We've come this far. We've come this far.

Another! We're doing it. This is a true epic quest. It lives up to the Lord of the Rings. Lorenzo Baxter. brings the brothel, because every fantasy needs a good brothel with a very attractive one who's looked cleaner than the rest of the others that the main character falls in love with. Yes, and differently sane brings the crystal shock therapy nodes of Vandalor

so that we can, too, see into his twisted psyche. And Marco Tunstall whispers evil-doin's into the kids. Kings to ear, snivering. He wishes to be the king regent. Simply faded is he's got into Gandalf's stash and is not helping a lot, but, you know, everyone likes to go hang with simply faded when we're camping for the night. So you serve your purpose. Oh, and SJ94 is the Dragon Rider.

Oh, the Dragonia. Yeah, you need one of those because they write. dragons. Of course you do. And you also need a Justin Martin, a wielder of the skateboard of truth, just doing kickflips over people and compelling them to, you know, cast out their falsehoods. And Philip J. Smith Jr. is a scribe here to document the historical events going down here because, you know, documentation of history is a little bit hard to come by And Marjorie brings the bagpipe of Gary Busey, filled with meatball subs, which the orcs hate. And Daniel Evans, he is, he rides a Griffin.

Yeah, that's cool. Griffin Rider. It's pretty sick. Compete's with the dragons. We're all jealous, buddy, okay? But we're all so jealous of Jen Smith, who is a blacksmith. Oh, yeah. And can rot, whatever the present tense of rot is, anything, she can make any armor or sword you need.

Yeah. Yeah. I'm going to go with this one because I know the name. Cage Uzumaki. Oh. Oh. Because Cage Uzimaki has the ability to wield shadows. Oh, such spiral.

Yeah. Such darkness. Yeah. And Melanie LeBlanc is the white witch For whom we all serve Because she is the most virtuous And her magic is pure And without her, the realm would fall into chaos

Like the chaos magic Like the chaos magic wonder Well guys, I'd like to think that this season With this cast of characters Would be way better than the way this season and rings of power has been playing out. Look out now. So guys, leave us down below what you think the title of this show should be,

and we will catch you next month. We're John. We'll be shedding all you guys out, Gary Busey style. Meatball's sub, baby. Take care.