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"Shadow and Flame"
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power episode
Cover art for the episode's soundtrack album
Episode no.Season 2
Episode 8
Directed byCharlotte Brändström
Written by
Featured music
"Old Tom Bombadil Reprise"
by
Cinematography byAlex Disenhof
Editing byAndy Morrison
Original release dateOctober 3, 2024 (2024-10-03)
Running time74 minutes
Additional cast
Episode chronology
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"Doomed to Die" 		Next →
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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2
List of episodes

"Shadow and Flame" is the eighth and final 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 end of the Siege of Eregion. It was written by showrunners J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay, and directed by Charlotte Brändström.

Payne and McKay were set to develop the series in July 2018, and a second season was ordered in November 2019. Filming began in the United Kingdom in October 2022, with Brändström returning from the first season. Production on the season wrapped in June 2023.

"Shadow and Flame" premiered on the streaming service Amazon Prime Video on October 3, 2024.

Plot

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Prince Durin IV confronts King Durin III as the latter opens a large mithril deposit under Khazad-dûm. The Balrog that lives below the mithril mine, awoken by this activity, attacks Durin III. He leaves his Ring of Power to Durin IV and names him the new king before fighting back as the entrance to the cavern collapses.

The Stranger goes to the Stoors' canyon to help Nori Brandyfoot and Poppy Proudfellow. He rejects the Dark Wizard's offer to supplant Sauron and the Dark Wizard destroys the canyon. The Stoors, who refer to the Stranger as "Grand Elf", are forced to find a new home and are joined by Nori and Poppy. The Stranger takes a branch from a tree in the canyon as his staff. Returning to Tom Bombadil, the Stranger says he will come to be known as "Gandalf".

Ar-Pharazôn learns from the palantír that Halbrand was actually Sauron in disguise. He accuses Míriel of aligning herself with Sauron, discrediting the results of her trial. All members of the Faithful are accused of treason and arrested. Despite following Ar-Pharazôn to this point, Eärien warns Elendil and he avoids capture. He attempts to escape with Míriel but she refuses to join him, giving him the sword Narsil and sending him to reclaim his lordship in the west of Númenor.

Kemen claims Pelargir as a military outpost for Númenor and demands the Southlanders and Wild Men cut down the forest in exchange for shelter and supplies. Isildur and Estrid acknowledge their feelings for one another and he asks her to return to Númenor with him, but Kemen does not allow this and Isildur leaves Estrid with Hagen.

In Eregion, Sauron tortures and kills Celebrimbor. He is approached by Glûg, an Orc who has grown disillusioned with Adar's leadership. Galadriel finds Adar in his original Elf-form, as revealed by Nenya, and he returns the ring to her before he is killed by Glûg and other Orcs. Sauron attacks Galadriel and takes the nine rings for Men, but she jumps off a cliff before he can take Nenya. Durin IV sends his army to aid the Elves, allowing Elrond, Gil-galad, Arondir, and other survivors to escape to a valley north of the city. Elrond and Gil-galad use the Elven rings to heal Galadriel, and the Elves resolve to stand against Sauron's army as it marches across Middle-earth.

Production

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Development

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Amazon acquired the global television rights for J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings in November 2017. The company's streaming service, Amazon Prime Video, ordered a series based on the novel and its appendices to be produced by Amazon Studios in association with New Line Cinema.[1] It was later titled The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.[2] Amazon hired J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay to develop the series and serve as showrunners in July 2018.[3][4] The series was originally expected to be a continuation of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies, but Amazon later clarified that their deal with the Tolkien Estate required them to keep the series distinct from Jackson's films.[5] Despite this, the showrunners intended for it to be visually consistent with the films.[6] A second season was ordered in November 2019,[7] and Amazon announced in August 2021 that it was moving production of the series from New Zealand, where Jackson's films were made, to the United Kingdom starting with the second season.[8] The season's all-female directing team was revealed in December 2022: Charlotte Brändström, returning from the first season; Sanaa Hamri; and Louise Hooper.[9]

The series is set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, thousands of years before Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.[10] Because Amazon did not acquire the rights to Tolkien's other works where the First and Second Ages are primarily explored, the writers had to identify references to the Second Age in The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and its appendices, and create a story that bridged those passages.[6] After introducing the series' setting and major heroic characters in the first season, the showrunners said the second would focus on the villains and go deeper into the "lore and the stories people have been waiting to hear".[6][11] The season's eighth episode, titled "Shadow and Flame", was written by Payne and McKay, and directed by Brändström.[citation needed]

Casting

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Further information: List of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power characters

The series' cast includes Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Míriel,[12] Robert Aramayo as Elrond,[13] Owain Arthur as Durin IV,[14] Maxim Baldry as Isildur,[15] Morfydd Clark as Galadriel,[16] Ismael Cruz Córdova as Arondir,[17] Charles Edwards as Celebrimbor,[18] Trystan Gravelle as Pharazôn,[13] Ciarán Hinds as the Dark Wizard,[19] Markella Kavenagh as Elanor "Nori" Brandyfoot,[20] Tyroe Muhafidin as Theo,[21] Peter Mullan as Durin III,[22] Sophia Nomvete as Disa,[23] Lloyd Owen as Elendil,[24] Megan Richards as Poppy Proudfellow,[25] Charlie Vickers as Sauron,[26] Benjamin Walker as Gil-galad,[27] and Daniel Weyman as the Stranger.[20] Also starring in the episode are Kevin Eldon as Narvi, Gavi Singh Chera as Merimac, Tanya Moodie as Gundabale Earthauler, Ema Horvath as Eärien, Will Keen as Belzagar, Nia Towle as Estrid, Leon Wadham as Kemen, Sam Hazeldine as Adar, Rory Kinnear as Tom Bombadil, Zates Atour as Brânk, Peter Landi as Marmadas, William Chubb as the High Priest of Númenor, Robert Strange as Glûg, Gabriel Akuwudike as Hagen, Murray McArthur as Ammred, Thomas Gilbey as Drúv, Stuart Bowman as Barduk, and Charlie Rix as Vorohil. Anthony Skrimshire, John Macdonald, Billy Mansell, Rupert Fawcett, and Jonny James play unnamed Orcs in the episode.[28]

Filming

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Filming for the season began on October 3, 2022,[29] under the working title LBP.[30] Episodes were shot simultaneously based on the availability of locations and sets.[31] Alex Disenhof returned from the first season to work with Brändström as director of photography.[32] The production wrapped in early June 2023.[32]

Visual effects

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Visual effects for the episode were created by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DNEG, Outpost VFX, Rodeo FX, The Yard VFX, Midas VFX, Monsters Aliens Robots Zombies, Untold Studios, Atomic Arts, Cantina Creative.[28][33] The different vendors were overseen by visual effects supervisor Jason Smith.[33]

Music

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Main article: Music of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

A soundtrack album featuring composer Bear McCreary's score for the episode was released digitally on October 3, 2024.[34] McCreary said the series' episodic albums contained "virtually every second of score" from their respective episodes.[35]

All music is composed by Bear McCreary:

Season Two, Episode Eight: Shadow and Flame – Amazon Original Series Soundtrack
No.TitleLength
1."True Wealth of the Mountain"6:04
2."Confronting the Dark Wizard"3:34
3."The White Flame"6:11
4."Sauron and Celebrimbor"2:30
5."No Passage for Low Men"5:16
6."Wounds That Have Endured"4:18
7."The Fall of Galadriel"12:06
8."Shadow and Flame" (featuring Rory Kinnear and Daniel Weyman)16:01
Total length:56:00

Release

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"Shadow and Flame" premiered on Prime Video in the United States on October 3, 2024.[36] It was released at the same time around the world,[37] in more than 240 countries and territories.[38]

Reception

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The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes calculated that 92% of 13 critics reviews were positive and the average rating for the episode was 7.8 out of 10.[39]

Companion media

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An episode of the aftershow Inside The Rings of Power for "Shadow and Flame" was released on October 4, 2024. It features actress Felicia Day, the host of The Official The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Podcast, interviewing the showrunners and cast members Vickers and Edwards about the making of the episode, with some behind-the-scenes footage.[40][41]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 13, 2017). "Amazon Sets 'The Lord of the Rings' TV Series In Mega Deal With Multi-Season Commitment". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 13, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  2. ^ Otterson, Joe (January 19, 2022). "'Lord of the Rings' Amazon Series Reveals Full Title in New Video". Variety. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  3. ^ Goldberg, Lesley; Kit, Borys (July 28, 2018). "'Lord of the Rings': Amazon Taps 'Star Trek 4' Duo to Develop TV Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  4. ^ White, Peter (July 27, 2019). "Amazon Sets Creative Team For 'Lord Of The Rings' TV Series Including 'GoT' & 'Breaking Bad' Producers – TCA". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 27, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  5. ^ Hibberd, James (August 5, 2022). "Peter Jackson Says Amazon's 'Lord of the Rings' TV Series Ghosted Him". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 6, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Robinson, Joanna (February 14, 2022). "10 Burning Questions About Amazon's 'The Rings of Power'". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  7. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 18, 2019). "'The Lord Of the Rings' Series Gets Early Season 2 Renewal By Amazon, Sets Season 1 Hiatus". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 19, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  8. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 12, 2021). "'The Lord Of The Rings' To Move Production To UK From New Zealand For Season 2". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  9. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (December 14, 2022). "'The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power' Sets All-Female Directing Team, Reveals Episode Count For Season 2". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 14, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  10. ^ Oller, Jacob (March 7, 2019). "Amazon Confirms Lord of the Rings Show is Second Age Prequel to Films". Syfy Wire. Archived from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  11. ^ Watson, Fay; published, Jack Shepherd (June 17, 2024). "Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power showrunners say season 2 is "all about the villains" and everyone might not make it out alive". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  12. ^ Thompson, Avery (December 29, 2022). "Cynthia Addai-Robinson Reveals Why Her 'People We Hate At The Wedding' Role 'Felt Fated' (Exclusive)". Hollywood Life. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Leigh, Janet A. (December 23, 2022). "Rings of Power season 2 potential release date - Lord of the Rings". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  14. ^ Lane, Carly (December 1, 2022). "'The Rings of Power': Ismael Cruz Córdova, Markella Kavenagh, & Owain Arthur on Elf Wigs, Mithril, and Season 2". Collider. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  15. ^ Radish, Christina (October 9, 2022). "'The Rings of Power's Maxim Baldry on His Favorite On-Set Detail & The Role Grief Plays in Isildur's Arc". Collider. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  16. ^ Amin, Arezou (October 14, 2022). "Here's Everything Morfydd Clark Told Us About 'The Rings of Power' Season 2". Collider. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  17. ^ Hatchett, Keisha (December 17, 2022). "Rings of Power Stars Explain Why Poppy Didn't Go with Nori, Tease the Elrond and Durin Scene You Didn't See". TVLine. Archived from the original on December 17, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  18. ^ Weintraub, Steve (October 18, 2022). "Charles Edwards Talks 'The Rings of Power' Finale, Filming the Creation of the [Spoiler], and Celebrimbor's Storyline". Collider. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  19. ^ Holub, Christian (August 6, 2024). "'Rings of Power' cast teases season 2 of the 'Lord of the Rings' prequel series". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  20. ^ a b Francisco, Eric (October 14, 2022). "'Rings of Power' Season 2 will introduce a major Lord of the Rings location, cast reveals". Inverse. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  21. ^ Pometsey, Olive (December 9, 2022). "Tyroe Muhafidin is The Rings of Power's brightest Gen Z star". The Face. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  22. ^ Cordero, Rosy (May 8, 2023). "'Rings Of Power' Cast Tease Season 2; Morfydd Clark Confirms Galadriel "Will Become Acquainted With" Nenya". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  23. ^ Campione, Katie (April 15, 2023). "'Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power' Team Talk Crafting The Look & Sound Of The Second Age, Tease Season 2 – Contenders TV". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  24. ^ Barraclough, Leo (June 18, 2023). "'Rings of Power' Cast Slams Racist Backlash at Monte-Carlo Television Festival, Teases 'Action-Packed' Season 2". Variety. Archived from the original on June 18, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  25. ^ Breznican, Anthony (May 29, 2024). "Tom Bombadil Finally Steps Forth in 'The Rings of Power'—An Exclusive First Look". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  26. ^ Echebiri, Makuochi (October 15, 2022). "'The Rings of Power': Sauron Actor Teases Season 2 Character Arc". Collider. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  27. ^ Hermanns, Grant (November 28, 2022). "Benjamin Walker Interview: DIAGEO Whisky & The Rings of Power". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  28. ^ a b Payne, J. D.; McKay, Patrick (October 3, 2024). "Shadow and Flame". The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Season 2. Episode 8. Amazon Prime Video. End credits begin at 1:08:35.
  29. ^ Hibberd, James (October 3, 2022). "'The Rings of Power' Season 2 Starts Production in the U.K." The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  30. ^ Prime Video (May 14, 2024). The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power – A Look Inside Season 2 | Prime Video (video). Event occurs at 1:25. Retrieved June 1, 2024 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ Goldfinch, Alexander (February 14, 2023). "Charlotte Brändström: "Väldigt spännande att få jobba med Christoph Waltz"". MovieZine (in Swedish). Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  32. ^ a b Grobar, Matt (June 21, 2023). "'LOTR: The Rings Of Power' Director Charlotte Brändström & Production Designer Ramsey Avery On Lighting's Role In Helping Viewer To Navigate Middle-Earth And A "Darker And More Dramatic" Season 2 – The Process". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 21, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  33. ^ a b Frei, Vincent (August 26, 2024). "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power - Season 2". The Art of VFX. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  34. ^ "'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season 2, Episode 8 ('Shadow and Flame') Soundtrack Albums Details". Film Music Reporter. October 2, 2024. Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  35. ^ McCreary, Bear [@bearmccreary] (September 2, 2022). "For the episodic albums, you get a playlist much closer to the narrative arc of each episode. Virtually every second of score is here. Some cues have been combined into suites to create continuous musical tracks (keeping Harfoot cues together, Elven cues together, and so on)" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022 – via Twitter.
  36. ^ Toby, Mekeisha Madden (May 14, 2024). "'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season Two trailer and release date revealed". About Amazon. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  37. ^ "'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings Of Power'; Prime Video Reveals Rollout Schedule". Deadline Hollywood. August 16, 2022. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  38. ^ Bradley, Bill (September 2, 2022). "How The Rings of Power Showrunners Handled a Massive Global Debut". Adweek. Archived from the original on September 4, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  39. ^ "Shadow and Flame". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  40. ^ Day, Felicia (October 4, 2024). Inside The Rings of Power S2, E8 | The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power | Prime Video. Amazon Prime Video (video). Retrieved October 4, 2024 – via YouTube.
  41. ^ Behbakht, Andy (October 7, 2022). "Superfan Felicia Day To Host Official Rings of Power Podcast [Exclusive]". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on October 8, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
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