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After season 1, in parts 1-6 , I detailed the ways that Elrond and Galadriel’s plot lines in that season rhyme, or harmonize, with with some of the same story beats playing out in ways that highlight thematic differences.
Now I want to catch up with the aftermath of our heroes’ interactions with their kingdoms in decline, because it’s occurred to me that Numenor and Khazad-dum are still in conversation with each other.
Spoilers for season 2
Picture this:
a figure out of legend walks into an audience with the heir to the throne. Said theoretical throne exists in a kingdom that we as the watcher knows is somewhere between its golden age and its fall.
The resulting conflict ends just well enough that our figure gets a foot in the door, gets to spend time with another significant figure in the kingdom. This interaction leads them to a secondary location within the kingdom and uncovers a secret or two vital to the plot.
It’s not all smooth sailing, there’s a mishap that seems to hang an ominous cloud over the future but our figure achieves their plot necessary objective and work begins to move them and the story forward.
What looks like victory turns to crushing defeat in the last moment of their arc this season. the heir to the throne finds themselves in a tenuous position for helping them, and it seems the seeds of doom for this kingdom have been well and truly sown.
Our figure arrives in Eregion to salvage what they can. Am I talking about Elrond or Galadriel? This is part 1 of however many it takes to beat this parallel to death. More to come.
Links to the rest of the essay below the cut, written not long after season 1 aired.
Ok so the Númenor and Khazad Dum storyline are paralleled (see part 1 or suspend disbelief). Why is this important?
Because the showrunners tell us with the opening credits and visuals every episode that they know the world of middle earth began in music.
These two stories are not in unison, they’re in harmony and the similarities and differences can tell us a lot about the characters and where the stories may be going.
We know the end. The fates of both kingdoms is evident even to the movie only fans amongst us (you’re valid and I love you), but how we get there and what the show has to say about leadership and friendship and fall and rising from ashes is gonna be fascinating. Assume spoilers for season one and the lord of the rings movies.
I should start with Elrond and Galadriel. But I’m not gonna. Cause I have ten minutes,and I’m at work.
Celebrimbor and Pharazôn
Older people in positions of secondary power (both high positioned lords who answer to other people) who are strongly associated with the use of their hands. If you know, by wiki or silmarillion, where their futures lie you know, but if not don’t worry about it yet. Celebrimbor and Elrond are on kinder terms than Pharazôn and Galadriel but often there’s just more warmth in the Elrond plot.
Gotta run, more on them in part 3
Picture this:
a figure out of legend walks into an audience with the heir to the throne. Said theoretical throne exists in a kingdom that we as the watcher knows is somewhere between its golden age and its fall.
The resulting conflict ends just well enough that our figure gets a foot in the door, gets to spend time with another significant figure in the kingdom. This interaction leads them to a secondary location within the kingdom and uncovers a secret or two vital to the plot.
It’s not all smooth sailing, there’s a mishap that seems to hang an ominous cloud over the future but our figure achieves their plot necessary objective and work begins to move them and the story forward.
What looks like victory turns to crushing defeat in the last moment of their arc this season. the heir to the throne finds themselves in a tenuous position for helping them, and it seems the seeds of doom for this kingdom have been well and truly sown.
Our figure arrives in Eregion to salvage what they can. Am I talking about Elrond or Galadriel? This is part 1 of however many it takes to beat this parallel to death. More to come.
