So my take so far:
Here there be spoilers
I’m really enjoying Sauron/Halbrand/Annatar. I was wondering how they would get around having him played by the same actor and to their credit the transition into Annatar was perfect. Also R.I.P. to Celebrimbor’s first age wine! That was 1,000s of years old. And while most mortal wine would be vinegar by that point I’m sure elvish wine you continue to age perfectly.
Cirdan the Shipwright. He’s everything I expected him to be. They nailed his casting and design. My one very big gripe is they had him shave! He’s one of the oldest Elves because Elves can only grow a beard when very old and he’s the only Elf mentioned to have a beard and they shaved it off. Come on! I realize they did to show him being revitalized by the ring but still. I definitely prefer the beard.
I’m not loving the Stranger, Nori and Poppy’s story. It feels slow every time they switch to it. Which being lost and not even really knowing what you’re searching for will do that. But there’s definitely, what I feel to be wasted time with them showing, twice in one episode that the Stranger still doesn’t have control of his power. They already showed that last season and with the dead tree/bugs scene followed later by the sell scene just felt like wasted time.
I’m enjoying both Elrond and Galadriel more this season. But they really need to bring in Celeborn very soon, at least in my opinion. Because Elrond marries their daughter after all.
Still don’t love Gil-galad. Excellent actor and I’m glad they had him sing, that was my favorite part of his character so far. But he just feels a little off to me. But he likely bites the dust this season anyways.
On the Stranger and Dark Wizard. I think there’s a few possibilities. The first, which is what I’m hoping for but doubt it happens:
They’re the two blue wizards. Because from what little we do know about them that’s literally the story told about that them. One failed and set up a cult to Sauron/Melkor and the spend his time fighting against the forces of Sauron in the East.
Second, and I think this is likely to happen. They’re combining the story of the good blue wizard and Gandalf into one story. Won’t exactly fit the lore but I can see why they do it to tie in with the LoTR movies. And the dark wizard will be either Saruman, which I don’t like at all because he wasn’t evil from the start or he becomes the Witchking. Or he could be Khamul the Easterling, the only named Nazgûl and second in command.
Loving every scene that Arondir is in. As well as Durin and Disa and king Durin story.
I think this season, while not perfect at all, is a vast improvement over season 1 and that’s all I can really ask for.
