Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Rings of Power season 2, episode 5.
I did not realize I cared about one specific character inThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseason 2 until their story broke my heart. As of theending ofThe Rings of Powerseason 2 episode 4, intriguing storylines were teased for Galadriel and The Stranger specifically. In the wake ofLord of the Rings’titular Rings of Powerbeing crafted, the former’s exciting reunion with Adar was teased while the latter reached the house of Old Tom Bombadil in the land of Rhûn.
However, one disappointment I had withThe Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 4 was the lack of action on the other side of Middle-earth, asthe fate of Númenorwas left unexplored. Thankfully,The Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 5 makes up for this, with Númenor’scast of characters inRings of Powerreturning. Above the political tension and brewing conflict on the island nation of Men, I was surprised to find that I cared about a specific character fromThe Rings of Powermore than I thought I did.
Valandil’s Death Scene In The Rings Of Power Season 2 Is Absolutely Heartbreaking
Isildur’s Childhood Friend Proved To Be An Unsung Hero Of The Rings Of Power
The character in question is Valandil, whose death proved an effectively tragic sceneas the situation in Númenor deteriorated. In a show filled with elves and men known fromThe Lord of the Rings, I often find there is no shortage of characters I care about, yet Valandil is not one I would put at the top of my list. However, his death scene inThe Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 5 was genuinely shocking and drew the most notable reaction from me of anything in the installment.
Valandil is the name of Isildur’s youngest son, making his namesake’s death in The Rings of Power even more tragic.
The death of Valandil inThe Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 5 came at the hands of a character I have always disliked but now hate. Kemen, the son of Pharazôn, proved to be a detestable figure in this episode, committing to his father’s new rule by shutting down a shrine in Númenor dedicated to honoring the fallen. Present at the shrine were Elendil and Valandil, paying tribute to those lost in the Battle of the Southlands, including Isildur, who both still believe to be dead.
Only when Valadnil surrendered and tension died down again did Kemen stab him in the back, eliciting a true gasp of shock from me as the character died…
Perhaps I was so invested in Valandil’s death due to the scene expertly playing with tension. Kemen’s initial introduction and Elendil’s barely-contained anger caused tensions to spike before settling. Kemen then smashed an important aspect of the shrine, which caused Elendil to react, raising the stakes once more. Valandil aided his captain and gave Kemen a notable beat-down before proving to be the better man by dropping his sword. Only when Valadnil surrendered and tension died down again did Kemen stab him in the back, eliciting a true gasp of shock from me as the character died in Elendil’s arms.
Valandil Was Barely A Side Character Before His The Rings Of Power Death Scene
I Did Not Realize How Much I Cared For Valandil
Another reason as to why I was shocked Valandil’s death was so affecting was his minimal screen time beforeThe Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 5. While Valandil was first introduced in the third episode of season 1, the nature ofThe Rings of Power’s expansive timelineand multiple storylines means he was barely even a side character.With so much of the focus being pinned on the major players of each section of Middle-earth, Valandil understandably received less attention, despite being involved since the early installments of the show.
Valandil’s nature as an original character not written byTolkien in The Rings of Powermakes his side-character nature make more sense, and shocking death more impactful.
However, upon his death, I realized how wellThe Rings of Powerutilized Valandil’s minimal screen time to make him a character whose death was genuinely heartbreaking. His commitment to Númenor has been evident since season 1, and his promotion to lieutenant saw him play a vital part in the Battle of the Southlands. In the wake of Isildur’s “death,” Valandil has been given more of a solemn, intense arc, defending not only the honor of Númenor from the likes of Kemen but also the memory of Isildur and the legacy of Míriel after episode 3’s Great Eagle appearance.
What The Great Eagle Appearing In The Rings Of Power Season 2 Means (& How It Sets Up Season 3)
The Rings of Power brings back the Great Eagles of Lord of the Rings, and this deeply meaningful moment is an indication that destiny is at work.
The Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 5 summed up these bit-part moments of development in his death scene. As his rivalry with Kemen came to a head, Valandil continued to prove his honor by defending a restrained Elendil from attack and standing up for the people of Númenor in the wake of Pharazôn’s brewing tyranny. His goodness was exemplified by him sparing Kemen’s life, leading to the shocking visual of a sword piercing through his chest from behind.
What Effect Valandil’s Death Could Have On The Rings Of Power’s Númenor Story
Valandil’s Death Could Cause A Domino Effect On Elendil & His Family
Aside from causing my own shock, Valandil’s death will likely have implications forThe Rings of Power’s Númenor story. For one, it could cause a crisis of faith regarding Eärien, Elendil’s daughter. Angered over Isildur’s death and the fate that befell many others upon Míriel’s quest to Middle-earth,Eärien has been a staunch supporter of Kemen and Pharazôn, though showed a notable warmth toward ValandilinThe Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 5. Now that Kemen has killed Valandil in cold blood after the latter had surrendered, Eärien could see the error of her ways and turn against his father.
This could see her reconnect with her own father, Elendil, who will undoubtedly be affected by Valandil’s death. Elendil has been somewhat neutral in the Númenor power struggle thus far, obeying Míriel’s commands to accept Pharazôn’s new rule. However, Valandil’s death and the other deplorable actions of Kemen and his father could see Elendil openly oppose the new king. Not only could this lead to a potential civil war inThe Rings of Powerseason 2, but it could also see Elendil’s Palantir vision come true as he turns his back on Númenor for good.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Cast
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
