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Shadow and Flame is the eighth episode of the second season of the American fantasy television series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Based on J. R. R. Tolkien's history of Middle-earth, primarily material from the appendices of the novel The Lord of the Rings, it is set thousands of years before the novel in the Second Age. The episode depicts the climactic battle in the Siege of Eregion as Sauron's deception reaches its peak. It was written by showrunners J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay, and directed by Charlotte Brändström.

The series' second season, which was greenlit in November 2019, began filming in the United Kingdom in October 2022. "Shadow and Flame" premiered on the streaming service Amazon Prime Video on October 3, 2024.

Plot

Durin IV attempts to stop his father from digging further into Khazad-Dûm’s mithril mine, but fails. As both Durins look upon the wealth of mithril under the mountain, a Balrog emerges from the depths. Coming to his senses, Durin III removes his Ring of Power and hands over rule of Khazad-Dûm to his son, confronting the Balrog in order to collapse the tunnel, sacrificing himself in the process. Now King, Durin IV is informed by advisors that the other Dwarf-Lords seek compensation for giving their riches to Khazad-Dûm and that his brother seeks to challenge his succession.

As the siege of Eregion continues, Sauron tortures Celebrimbor to obtain the location of the Nine Rings. Unable to do so, Sauron kills Celebrimbor in a rage and is confronted by Adar’s Orcs.

Galadriel, carrying the Nine Rings, is captured and brought before Adar, who has used Nenya to temporarily heal his wounds. They agree to destroy Sauron using Morgoth’s Crown and the Elven Rings. Suddenly, Adar is betrayed and killed by his own Orcs, brainwashed by Sauron. Galadriel battles Sauron, who attempts to use illusions and manipulation to take the Rings from her. Despite being wounded and poisoned by Morgoth’s Crown, Galadriel manages to escape with Nenya, but loses the Nine Rings to Sauron. Adar’s army, now Sauron’s, is driven from Eregion by Dwarves sent by Durin.

Ar-Phârazon claims Sauron helped Míriel deceive the Sea Worm and declares all Faithful traitors. Eärien manages to warn Elendil, who escapes. He attempts to take Míriel and go to the West, but Míriel declines and gives him the sword Narsil, encouraging him to reclaim his lordship. Míriel is arrested and Elendil escapes Númenor’s capital. Ar-Phârazon sends Kemen to turn Pelargir into a Númenorean military outpost and place its people under strict work conditions. Isildur boards Kemen’s boat, bound to return to Númenor.

The Stranger goes to the Stoor’s home to find it vacant, save for the Dark Wizard, who claims they are old friends and offers him a staff and his memories in exchange for joining him in his campaign to supplant Sauron as ruler of Middle-Earth. When the Stranger refuses, the Dark Wizard destroys the Stoor home and leaves. The Stoors are saved by the Stranger, but must search for another home. Nori and Poppy choose to go with them, and they part ways with the Stranger. The Stranger finds his staff among the ruins of the Stoor’s home, and upon returning to Tom Bombadil’s home, chooses the name: Gandalf.

Elrond, Arondir, and Gil-Galad find a gravely wounded Galadriel and heal her with the Elven Rings. The Elves retreat to a nearby valley to regroup and prepare for their war against Sauron.

Production

Development

Amazon acquired the global television rights for J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings in November 2017. The series was developed by J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay and ordered for production in 2019. Following the success of the first season, a second season was confirmed, with filming moving from New Zealand to the United Kingdom.

Casting

The episode stars Morfydd Clark as Galadriel, Robert Aramayo as Elrond, Charles Edwards as Celebrimbor, Owain Arthur as Durin IV, and Ismael Cruz Córdova as Arondir. Additional cast members include Amelia Kenworthy as Mirdania, Kevin Eldon as Narvi, Sam Hazeldine as Adar, and Charlie Vickers as Sauron.

Visual effects

The visual effects for the episode, especially the depiction of Sauron’s transformation and the creature of shadow and flame, were created by a range of companies, led by DNEG and Outpost VFX, with Jason Smith overseeing the VFX.

Music

The episode's score, titled "Flame's Descent," was composed by Bear McCreary and Jens Kidman, and was released digitally on Amazon Music in conjunction with the episode's premiere.

References

External links

• "Shadow and Flame" at IMDb

1. "'The Rings of Power' Season 2 Finale Recap: Highs and Lows".
2. "The 'Rings of Power' Season 2 Finale Makes a Not-So-Surprising Revelation". ELLE. 2024-10-03. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
3. Phipps, Keith (2024-10-03). "The Rings of Power Season-Finale Recap: A Stranger No More!". Vulture. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
4. Broadwell, Josh (2024-10-03). "Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 8 Review: Commodified Coolness". Men's Journal | Streaming. Retrieved 2024-10-03.

• The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power episodes
• 2024 American television episodes