‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Episode 7 Recap

The army of Numenor recovers from defeat as Prince Durin tries to convince his father to share Mithril with the elves in this week’s episode of ‘The Rings of Power.’

(L to R) Nazanin Boniadi (Bronwyn), and Morfydd Clark (Galadriel) in Prime Video's 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.' Photo credit: Ben Rothstein/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.

After the apocalyptic eruption of Mount Doom in last week’s episode of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,’ everything is ash and flame in this week’s episode, ‘The Eye.’

Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) wakes up to find the Southlands decimated, and the people she traveled the world to save dead or dying. Cut off from each other, the people of Numenor rush to rescue those they can, regardless of the consequences. When the queen regent and Isildur (Maxim Baldry) enter a burning house to rescue a family trapped in the blaze, the roof collapses on Isildur.

Stumbling through the decimated Southlands, Galadriel finds Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin) among the few survivors, and the two find a curious connection in the guilt they bear over their inadvertent role in the enemy’s victory. Galadriel lends him her sword, and the two begin making their way back to their friends and family. Though there’s no such luck for Elendil (Lloyd Owen), who’s distraught to find his son is among the missing Numenoreans. Miriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson), to her credit, does a much better job of hiding her despair, when she discovers that she’s been blinded by the volcanic blast.

(L to R) Morfydd Clark (Galadriel), and Tyroe Muhafidin (Theo) in Prime Video's 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.' Photo credit: Ben Rothstein/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.

Elsewhere in Middle-earth, the ever-optimistic Harfoots reach their next encampment, only to find it scorched by the fires of Mount Doom. The Stranger (Daniel Weyman) tries using his magic to bring a dead tree back to life. But as he speaks to it (further convincing us he’s Gandalf) a large branch falls from the tree and almost kills a Harfoot child. Once more, the Stranger’s a pariah to the Harfoots, who finally send him packing. After Nori (Markella Kavenagh) says her goodbyes to her newfound friend, she tells her mother that she never should have helped him, and, like a good Harfoot, should accept her meager place in the world.

In Khazad-dum, Elrond (Robert Aramayo) and Prince Durin (Owain Arthur) try to convince Durin’s father, the dwarf king, to resume mining Mithril in order to share it with the dying elves. But their words fall on death ears, as the king forbids any further digging. Back at home, Disa (Sophia Nomvete) is enraged by the news, and proclaims the king a shortsighted fool. Wishing to avoid splintering the Durin family, Elrond agrees to leave. As soon as he does, During finds Elrond’s dying elf leaf is restored to life by a Mithril shard, and resumes the excavation.

The two friends find a cavern rich overflowing with the ore. We learn the depths of their bromance when Durin calls him his brother, though Elrond stops him from sharing his “secret” dwarf name. Unfortunately, the King interrupts them, and throws Elrond out of Khazad-dum (though he retains one shard of Mithril).

(L to R) Markella Kavenagh (Elanor ‘Nori’ Brandyfoot), and Lenny Henry (Sadoc Burrows) in Prime Video's 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.' Photo credit: Ben Rothstein/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.

Furious with his son, the king strips Durin of his title, and accuses him of betraying his people. The prince, in turn, accuses his father of leaving their allies to die, and of being blind to the future and his own son’s vision for progress. Disa, however, is fully supportive of that vision, and reminds her husband that no matter what occurs they will one day rule Khazad-dum.

Alone in the mine, the dwarf king sees Elrond’s rejuvenated leaf, tosses it into the cavern, and orders the mine sealed. As the leaf falls deep within, we see it burst into flame as it lands next to a roaring Balrog.

Nori wakes up to find the Harfoot encampment’s land has healed overnight, and the apple trees are bursting with fruit. But she and her kin are confronted by the three witches who’ve been hunting the Stranger since he arrived in Middle-earth. Nori’s father Largo (Dylan Smith) waves a torch in their faces and warns them not to harm his family. In response, they burn the encampment’s wagons down. Nori then decides to go after the Stranger and warn him of the witches. Her stepmother (Sara Zwangobani), Poppy (Megan Richards), and the Harfoot elder Sadoc (Lenny Henry) join her.

Daniel Weyman (The Stranger) in Prime Video's 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.' Photo credit: Ben Rothstein/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.

In the Numenorean camp on the Southlands’ perimeter, Isildur, still grieving over his lost son, is determined to leave Middle-earth and never return. Yet when Galadriel and Theo reach the camp, a still proud Miriel swears to the elf warrior that they will return. In the meantime, Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi) tells Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova) and Galadriel of a new land to which they can bring her people. Galadriel finds King Halbrand (Charlie Vickers) is wounded but still alive, and the two ride together once more, to win support from the High King in Eregion.

Within the Southlands, Adar (Joseph Mawle) tells the orcs that their new home will no longer be known by this name – and we see the name dissolve on screen, replaced with the word “Mordor”...

This week’s episode is understandably a quiet one after last week’s battle-soaked epic, and one is left wondering if there’s an opportunity for more action in next week’s season finale. Will Gil-galad heed Galadriel’s warnings this time? And just what do the witches want with the Stranger?

Meet us back here in seven days, Ringers!