Few things are more inspiring and entertaining to watch on screen than a classicLord of the Ringsbattle.
Ross Ferguson/Prime Video
This is a situation thatLord of the Ringsfans have seen before.
The elves immediately careen to a halt rather than risk harming one of their greatest.
Elrond (Robert Aramayo) and orcs in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.'.Ross Ferguson/Prime Video
Its usually an all-or-nothing battle to the end.
Elrond, though, doesnt seem to realize the full impact of this change-up.
But little does Elrond know that the dwarf kingdom of Khazad-dum has problems of its own.
Glûg (Robert Strange) and other orcs in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.'.Ross Ferguson/Prime Video
Its an understandable move, but it certainly leaves Elrond in the lurch.
As the episode ends, the elf is stuck waiting for reinforcements that arent coming.
Its a disturbing sight.
King Durin III (Peter Mullan) in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.'.Ross Ferguson/Prime Video
But this is a rare example of heroic characters prioritizing their own needs over helping each other.
Adars survival is as welcome as King Durins is scary.
Instead, Durin IV appeals to love rather than strength.
But once again, that classic Tolkien trope doesnt work here.
Although the threat is held at bay for now, we know it will eventually destroy Khazad-dum.
Doomed to Die is a thrilling and subversive episode of aLord of the Ringsshow.
And theres still one more episode left in the season, dropping Oct. 3 on Amazon Prime Video.
