We solely get hints about Elendil’s previous on this episode. We discover out he has a daughter named Eärien (Ema Horvath). He additionally has a son, Isildur (Maxim Baldry), who’s in coaching for the ocean guard, however who would reasonably defer his fee to pursue the decision he feels towards their ancestral lands. “There may be nothing for us on the western shores,” Elendil replies, mysteriously. “The previous is lifeless.” Put a pin in that. For now, simply observe that this household, for no matter motive, is making an attempt very exhausting to rebrand themselves as sea people.
The orcs are again, and scarier than ever.
Final week, a stray orc terrorized Bronwyn and her son within the Southlands; and whereas the beast was suitably imposing, it was nowhere close to as muscular or fearsome as the opposite orcs now we have seen in “The Lord of the Rings” films. I wouldn’t say the identical concerning the orcs that kidnapped the Silvan elf Arondir on the finish of Episode 2, and who in the beginning of this episode carry him off to their jail pit, “For Adar.” (This explains the episode’s title, though we don’t see the precise Adar till the very finish, in silhouette.)
The jail sequences are equal elements horrifying and thrilling, as Arondir and his fellow elf captives plot an escape that appears downright unimaginable, given the dimensions and viciousness of the orc guards. This week is gentle on blockbuster-quality motion, till Arondir turns his shackles into weapons, whipping the chains round and leaping by means of the air. His gusto solely makes it all of the sadder when the escaping elves get pierced by arrows as they attempt to crawl out of the pit.
The Harfoots might look pleasant, however they’ve a flinty facet.
In the beginning of the collection, we’re informed that the lifetime of a Harfoot is superior to different Center-earth races, as a result of the halflings don’t have any duties. They simply eat and play, having fun with what the land supplies. However it’s by no means fairly that straightforward, is it? The Harfoots must do quite a lot of work to cover their existence, for one factor. Additionally, throughout their common migrations — which they’re getting ready for firstly of this episode — they go away family and friends members behind if they’ll’t sustain.
One of many extra haunting scenes this week entails the Harfoots paying tribute to their fallen, in a ceremony led by the elder Sadoc (Lenny Henry), who talks about how, “In life, we couldn’t await them,” earlier than main his folks within the name “We await you!” as he reads the departed’s names.