Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 2 begins with a haunting reminder: Middle Earth is more than just elves and orcs. This episode takes us deep into the heart of the dwarven kingdom, and I can tell you, it is a sight to behold. Prince Durin’s kingdom, with its majestic caves and, not to mention, its stunning queen, is a very special experience. Do you see a black dwarf princess Disa on the screen? Yes, please!

SPOILER WARNING: SPOILERS FOR SEASON 2 OF THE RINGS OF POWER

But just as we’re getting comfortable underground, we’re hit by an earthquake. Seriously, being underground during an earthquake? That’s a whole new level of terror. And speaking of tremors, Galadriel is out here doing magic – yes, she’s doing magic. She’s planting seeds at her brother’s grave and suddenly we’re wondering if she’s been hiding magic all this time.

Now things get weird (but in a good way) as Celebrimbor shows up. The seeds Galadriel planted begin to grow into killer plants. Is this a metaphor? You bet it is. She planted the seeds of evil and the foreshadowing is real. Galadriel’s dreams and Sauron’s plans make Rings of Power a must-see this season. Celebrimbor basically describes the mischief that comes with all these rings of power. And let’s just say that Galadriel is a little too attached to her ring. This “my love” vibe creeps in and that’s not a good image.

In the meantime, the show does what it does best – wows us with visual effects. Every shot in The Lord of the Rings The universe is perfectly designed. The lush landscapes, the detailed costumes, the epic battles – all of it reminds us why we fell in love with this world in the first place.

But back to the story. Galadriel and the King begin to exchange visions of the future, and it’s clear the two are nervous. Galadriel, however, is completely compromised. She’s still attached to Halbrand, even though we all know he’s not who he seems. And the power of the rings? It’s insidious. We’ve seen a bit of it in Peter Jackson’s films, but it’s more pronounced here. These rings have a pull that’s hard to resist, even when you know better.

Then there’s the twist: messengers get caught. We’re spoiled by Game of Thrones’ efficiency in sending ravens, but in Middle Earth? Yeah, things aren’t so smooth. And just when you think things can’t get any wilder, a dark wizard shows up, blood magic and all, flanked by three mysterious white wizards. It’s Doctor Doom meets Punisher, and honestly, I’m all for it.

The Stranger and the Halflings bring a lighter touch to the episode. Their dynamic has that energy of Frodo and Sam, just without the one ring that rules them all. But they have their own magic tricks, like an invisibility cloak that takes us right back to the best moments of The Lord of the Rings. The nostalgia is real.

We also get a closer look at the dwarves’ struggles. The earthquake has hit them hard and their attempts to restore sunlight underground seem futile. Kazad-dûm may be lost. The acting is top notch and the cast delivers on all levels, especially as we watch Elrond wrestle with his distrust of the Ringbearers. Galadriel’s scheming doesn’t sit well with him and he’s smart enough to see Sauron’s hand in all of this. Watching the elves fall under the spell of the Rings is heartbreaking because we know where that path leads. Sauron’s shadow is omnipresent and plays on everyone in Middle-earth like a master puppeteer.

And speaking of suspense, the scene at the well is something special. The stranger shows off his powers in a way we’ve never seen before, and it’s clear he’s not in full control. And what about Sauron’s latest trick? The guy looks like Aragorn, acts like a king, but he plays with everyone. It’s really impressive. One meeting with Celebrimbor and this guy has him under his spell. This episode breathes new life into the series, with more Sauron, more rings, and more excitement than ever before.

The twist that Sauron is now called Annatar, “Lord of the Gifts,” is wild. Seeing him in elf form turning Celebrimbor away from good is terrifying. Overall, this second episode of the second season of Rings of Power is so jam-packed that you won’t even notice the time passing. Just buckle up, because it’s clear that we’re in for a hell of a ride.