Season One Episode Six - SPOILERS

I was glad there weren't any harfoots in this episode since their inclusion goes against canon and their story is insignificant. This episode focused solely on the Numenorian effort to free the Southlands. The battle scenes were decent except for some elven ninja tricks. Arondir's escape from the elven fortress was over the top since he used his bow to knock down the tower and trap the orcs behind the gate. Galadriel did some impressive cossack tricks on her horse and used magic to speed up her horse.

I don't like the use of the sword as the key to start a volcanic eruption since I believe that was not written by Tolkien. Bronwyn has become an elite warrior who takes down enemies with her sickle. I thought the scenes of Bronwyn showing her grit while being healed were unnecessary and awkward.

The one big mystery that has interested me is whether Sauron has been appearing on the screen. Halbrand is still my frontrunner for Sauron after this episode. Halbrand is claiming to be the new ruler of the Southlands and he angrily asked Adar if he remembered him. Adar stated that he killed Sauron and he asked Halbrand who he was BUT Halbrand did not answer his question. It was also odd that the sword key ended up in the hands of the old guy and the old guy knew how to use the sword. Galadriel and Halbrand obtained the sword key when they captured Adar so Halbrand would have able to conveniently replace the sword key with the axe. One online leaker said that Galadriel figures out the identity of Sauron in the final episode and Sauron asks her to team up with him. We'll know in two episodes if the online leaker speaks the truth.

In the books, the Numenorians captured Sauron in another invasion so that might happen later if the show sticks to the lore. Pharazon is supposed to become ruler of Numenor and he is convinced by Sauron to lead an attack against the Valar.

https://gamerant.com/lotr-things-book-readers-know-mordor-sauron/ * Mordor article *