Númenor has often been an outlier in The Rings of Power Season 2, with the story of the island nation feeling isolated from the rest of the series — and being one of its weakest parts as a result. Happily, Episode 6 finally shines a spotlight on the Kingdom of Men. Its storyline is also complemented by the other plots and incredible performances from several different actors, making this installment worth waiting for.

Lloyd Owen’s Elendil has been the focal point of Númenor since Season 1 — and in Season 2, Episode 6, he embodies all the other amazing Men of Númenor that have been a part of the on-screen history of Middle-earth. His heartfelt performance is bolstered by the incredible Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Tar-Míriel. It’s great to see the Númenor story gaining momentum, and start to move out from under the long shadows of Eregion and Khazad-dûm as the season moves closer to its end.

The Rings of Power Lets Númenor Live Up to Its Potential

Elendil and Míriel Center a Much Improved Story

Númenor felt out of place amid the conflict between Sauron and the rest of Middle-earth. But the tension between the King’s Men and the Faithful came to a head when Kemen killed Valandil — and fallout of that tragedy is even more interesting and important than any political drama. The concept of the Faithful has hardly been explored in The Rings of Power, despite how crucial it is to the entire story. The divisionn between them and the King’s Men is better defined when Elendil is put on trial for treason. Elendil perfectly exemplifies the powerful heroes that fans are used to seeing in Middle-earth. He refuses to back down in the face of execution, and Lloyd Owen’s performance is both interesting to watch and makes fans eager to follow him.

Unfortunately, the opposite is true for the episode’s treatment of Ema Horvath’s Eärien. Many of the characters created for The Rings of Power are immensely compelling, with strong motivations and personalities. This makes Eärien’s lack of any of that deeply confusing. Audiences keep waiting to see an Eärien that justifies her purpose in the story, but so far she has just been shoe-horned into the role of manipulated daughter, used to appeal to her traitorous father. This is a trope that fans have seen — and it has been done better in shows like Game of Thrones. Her presence lacks any real purpose… and betraying her father, essentially standing by while he is executed, is an odd way to grieve Isildur’s assumed death.

Cynthia Addai-Robinson shines as Tar-Míriel in Episode 6. After a large role in Season 1, Míriel has struggled to regain her purpose in the second season. Making her the de facto head of the Faithful creates an extremely powerful moment as she steps forward to take the sea trial, and that helps to reaffirm her dominating presence on the show. Her transformation from Warrior Queen in Season 1 to a spiritual leader and political rival makes her far more interesting and dangerous than she’s ever been. As Pharazôn gains more power, Míriel is the perfect character to fight against him. She contrasts his greed and ambition perfectly with her serenity and the support of the people behind her. After half a season, Númenor finally feels relevant and exciting.

Nori and The Stranger Continue to Feel Forgotten About

Has The Rings of Power Given up on These Characters?

While Season 2, Episode 6 solves one problem, it still has no idea what to do with Nori, Poppy and the Stranger. Their scenes constantly slow down the overall story and pull focus away from more interesting plots. For potentially important characters, Nori and Poppy have been all but forgotten about; all they have is a very small, albeit inspiring scene. Megan Richards gives an impactful performance, reminiscent of Sean Astin as Samwise Gamgee… but a heartfelt speech isn’t enough to save the meandering story or excuse its lack of purpose. The Harfoots’ subplot used to feel like fun comfort food — enjoyable to watch even if it wasn’t important. That feeling has since faded and been replaced with the question of why the show continues to include these characters at all.

Poppy: Turn yourself in, you might well be putting the whole world at risk.

The Stranger at least has the benefit of the quest for his identity keeping him relevant. That question grounds his story and offers both him and Tom Bombadil a purpose. Rory Kinnear is still incredible fun to watch as Bombadil, but he can’t carry everything on his own. The characters’ discussion about the Secret Fire and more vague hints at the Stranger’s identity just continue to feel like breadcrumbs leading to nowhere in particular. Either the Stranger will be Gandalf and fans will shrug their soldiers and move on — or he’ll be a Blue Wizard, leaving fans feeling intentionally misled and making the reveal immensely unsatisfying. The longer this not-mystery stretches on, the more viewers’ patience stretches thin.

Adar and Galadriel Bring New Drama to The Rings of Power

Sam Hazeldine Proves Himself as Season 2’s Adar

Galadriel has been lacking screen time in The Rings of Power Season 2, but it seems like the second half of the season wants to make up for that. Episode 6 sees Morfydd Clark and Sam Hazeldine both deliver stunning performances, with Hazeldine’s work being a high point for the entire season. Adar was originally played by Joseph Mawle and Hazeldine had the difficult task of stepping into the role; Episode 6 is where Hazeldine truly takes it over. As Adar shares a dinner with his prisoner, he gives Galadriel an impressive speech. His hatred for Sauron is apparent — but even more apparent is his compassion and love for the Orcs. Adar’s his love for his “children” also allows the audience to empathize with him, and even side with him at times. Hazeldine makes the dichotomy between that and the character’s villainy look easy.

Adar means “father” in Elvish.
Adar is meant to be one of the original Orcs — an Elf corrupted by Morgoth.
In The Rings of Power, Adar initially believed he had killed Sauron using the Crown of Morgoth.

But Galadriel is not to be left out. The version of her from Season 1 would have rushed to kill Adar, no matter what he offered her. As she sits at his table, it’s evident that she has evolved. Clark gives a more thoughtful performance, as opposed to her more brash and headstrong scenes in Season 1. This change in both character and performer allows the audience to feel like Galadriel has learned from her mistakes with Sauron that ended the first season. While this self-awareness was hinted at when she was with Gil-galad and Elrond, seeing her find sympathy for an enemy that she had previously treated so aggressively drives the point home.

Trouble Grows for Eregion and Khazad-dûm in Episode 6

Durin, Disa and Celebrimbor Face More Dangers

At this point, it feels impossible for Charles Edwards and Charlie Vickers not to be memorable as Celebrimbor and Annatar. They are consistent — something that The Rings of Power Season 2 hasn’t been. In Episode 6, Celebrimbor continues to fall more under Annatar’s control. He is lashing out, refusing to help his people, and his mind is collapsing under the layers of manipulation. Annatar balances manipulating Celebrimbor with vanity and legacy and Mirdania with gentle words and compassion. A key moment in the episode happens when Annatar appears in all black; up until this point, he has only worn white while pretending to be an emissary of the Valar. This color shift in his wardrobe represents that he no longer needs to hide… because he’s completely in control.

Elsewhere, the plight of the Dwarves has become one of the most riveting parts of the season. Durin III’s anger and greed also continue to grow, and actor Peter Mullan is devasting to watch as his character loses his grip on the strong morals he once had. His refusal to work with Annatar gives audiences a glimmer of hope — quickly replaced with a pit of despair when it’s revealed his refusal is because of greed, not what was good for the Dwarves. Owain Arthur stuns audiences again as Durin IV grieves what his father has become. He turns against his father with the support of Disa, knowing that it’s the only way to save his people. Disa is powerful, with great emotional depth as she works to prevent the deaths of Dwarves — even if it leaves her looking like a traitor to her king and husband. She understands that if she doesn’t stand against King Durin, then Durin IV won’t find the strength to do it either.

The Rings of Power knows what it’s doing with Eregion and Khazad-dûm, while Númenor finally gets to where it needs to be. Galadriel and Adar steal the show — and cement themselves as powerful characters leading up to Season 2’s conclusion. While Nori, Poppy and the Stranger have little hope of a satisfying resolution, the other characters and actors are remarkable in Season 2, Episode 6, making it one of the better episodes of the season.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power streams Thursdays on Prime Video.