Before the season finale, "The Eye" takes a break to depict a dark night of each of our main protagonists. The Harfoots have expelled the Stranger/Probably-Gandalf from their group and had all of their possessions destroyed by our new, silent character, the Dweller, who is most likely Sauron. While the Nmenoreans and the Southlanders are counting their losses following the catastrophic eruption of Mount Doom.
As we approach the final few episodes of the season, the pace has unquestionably accelerated. The Southlands have been destroyed, and Mriel is now blind as a result of Mount Doom's eruption. Balrog has awoken as a result of Durin and Elrond's attempts to preserve the Elves, and the Harfoots appear destined to starve. As we approach the first season finale, the storyline is working hard to make up for a really slow start to the season. However, Harfoot Sadoc Burrows' neck-worn ring—which resembles the One Ring that Frodo would later wear—remains the closest thing to a genuine ring we've seen on the programme.
The majority of the characters' destinies are known, so it's difficult to build up tension for the outcome of particular characters. We are aware of Isildur's fate and Galadriel's apparent immunity to volcanic explosions, so we are unable to empathise with Elendil's concern for them. Although Bronwyn, Arondir, and Theo are all new characters, they are unlikely to perish either because they are the only three Southlands characters we are following (apart from Halbrand). This is because there are no redshirts remaining in their plot.
Thank heavens Disa and Durin are still around since they are the only characters on the programme who can effectively blend humour and seriousness together. The least amount of their plot is developed in this episode, although it does end with a horrifying picture.
Due to all these new characters, the Harfoots plot has a clear edge over the rest when it comes to the prequel-problem. The rest of the Harfoots are unknown in Tolkien's literature and we honestly don't know what might happen to any of them. So any time any Harfoot is in danger, it's that much more uncertain and exciting for the audience even if we assume they are a figure we'll see again in a later iteration.
Even the characters of the Harfoots themselves are becoming more complete and relatable people. They have been portrayed in some contradictions over the entire series. For instance, Largo's statement about remaining loyal to one another is lovely, but the Harfoots' attitudes from earlier episodes don't seem to support it. These are folks who, even if they break their foot, would leave a friend to die! Yet in this episode, we see them make an effort to support their pals a little bit more.
We are beginning to learn the answers to some of the lesser issues in this season, even though the major ones remain unsolved. Who is Theo? fresh area of potential suspicion that is introduced in this episode. He receives an elven sword from Galadriel. It doesn't immediately come to mind any other human characters from Tolkien's lore wearing Elvish swords, therefore possibly he is a completely new character. Isildur had a brother named Anárion in Tolkien's literature, but he hasn't been depicted in the series. Most likely, Isildur's freshly created sister Eärien will play his part.
Although the path of the season finale is not totally evident, all of the other storylines appear to have definite directions by the time this terrible night of the soul is over. Prince Durin has been persuaded by Disa to continue searching for mithril despite his father's reservations. The Southlands have been made into a living abode for Adar and the Orcs. In order to warn him about Probably-Sauron, the Harfoots will track down Probably-Gandalf.
Halbrand is being driven by Galadriel to pick up some elven medicine. The Nmenoreans are departing for home, but they have plans to come back, especially since Elendil has been forced to leave both his kid and his beloved horse behind (we anticipate that they will reunite next week).
It is unknown what this season finale is going to bring. It feels like there is a direction for this season, finally. However, I do wonder if we will finally see some extremely powerful rings being created. It’s what the fans want to see and what a lot of us have been waiting for. Yet, what we do know is that the finale should be mind blowing, to make us eagerly anticipate season 2!
