The Rings of Power season 2 episode 5 ending explained: What happens to Galadriel?

Episode 5 of The Rings of Power season 2 was released on September 12, 2024, on Amazon Prime Video. Episode 4 ends with a cliffhanger, where Adar is seen approaching Galadriel, who has been rampaging through the orc army on her own.

In the latest episode, Galadriel has been taken prisoner by Adar, but he does not harm her. In fact, he has an offer for her.

Meanwhile, the dwarves, elves, and men are busy with their own troubles. Additionally, episode 5 shifts its narrative focus back to Sauron, following his total absence in episode 4. Titled "Halls of Stone," the synopsis of episode 5 reads:

“When Durin grows suspicious of the Dwarven Rings, Celebrimbor must reassess his priorities. Amidst Númenor’s shifting currents, Elendil searches for hope.”

The Rings of Power season 2 takes a large narrative canvas, so not every episode can accommodate all the characters and plot elements introduced so far. However, episode 5 propels the plot significantly by covering much narrative ground.

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The Rings of Power season 2 episode 5 ending shows Galadriel getting an offer from Adar

The first half of episode 4 of The Rings of Power season 2 shows Galadriel and Elrond heading toward Eregion to meet Celebrimbor. However, on their way, they see an orc army approaching Eregion.

Handing over the rings to Elrond, Galadriel decides to take on the orc army on her own. She bravely fights the orcs and gets the better of them. Just when the orcs are at their wits’ end, Adar shows up.

In episode 5, Galadriel is shown to have been taken prisoner by Adar. However, the closing moments of the episode reveal that Galadriel does not face any danger from Adar. Instead, he makes her an offer: to fight a mutual enemy together.

Adar tells her:

“I brought you here not as a prisoner, but as a potential eye. We share a common enemy.”

The “common enemy,” of course, is Sauron. Episodes 1 and 2 of season 2 show how Adar and Sauron became enemies.

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What is Sauron up to now?

Sauron is still in disguise as Annatar, manipulating Celebrimbor. Celebrimbor has already made rings for the dwarves. Now, Sauron wants him to make rings for men, arguing that men have suffered the most in Middle-earth.

Meanwhile, the corruptive influence of the rings becomes evident in King Durin, who, after putting on a ring, starts behaving tyrannically. He becomes erratic in his judgments and harsh in his treatment of others. This prompts Prince Durin to go to Celebrimbor and inform him that the rings might be corrupted.

Initially, Celebrimbor denies the possibility, but gradually he begins to suspect that the influence may have been inserted into the rings by Annatar. At this point, The Rings of Power season 2 takes an ambiguous turn. Has Celebrimbor seen through Sauron’s disguise? The answer may come in upcoming episodes.

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What’s happening at Numenor?

In Númenor, Pharâzon, following the events of episode 3, has seized power. Upon his coronation, he begins to rule with an iron fist. On his orders, his son Kemen sets out to meet Valandil and Elendil and undermine their authority.

Kemen interrupts a ritual of the Faithful, held to honor those lost in the Southlands. During the ritual, he picks a fight with Valandil and Elendil. Valandil beats him up savagely but stops short of killing him.

However, as Valandil turns his back, Kemen stabs him with a sword, killing him instantly. He then has Elendil arrested, falsely accusing him of starting the fight. Pharâzon and Kemen clearly have sinister plans in The Rings of Power season 2.

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Season 2 of The Rings of Power is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The next episode will be released on September 19, 2024.