Full spoilers follow for In the Lord of the Rings: The Rings of PowerThe first two seasons of ‘s, up to and including – season 2, episode 5.
The Rings of Power Actor Owain Arthur has spoken candidly about the incredibly personal memory he drew on for the heartbreaking scenes in season 2 between his character Prince Durin and Peter Mullen’s King Durin.
Speak in advance The Rings of Power At the launch of Season 2 on August 29, Arthur discussed the deeply personal and moving story – one he has, in his own words, “never shared before” – including the emotional scenes between the ruler of Khazad-dûm and his heir to the throne.
Sequences featuring the couple have always been melodramatic, especially since they broke up in The Rings of Power season 1 episode 7 about the mining of Khazad-dûm’s vast reserves of mithril. However, with the dwarf king and prince reconciling early in the second season of the hit Prime Video series, it seemed that they had repaired their relationship.
That is not true. Numerous problems, including the destruction of their sunbeams, have beset the dwarven kingdom of Khazad-dûm since the highly acclaimed Amazon series returned. Understandably desperate for a solution, the dwarves—despite a suspicious Prince Durin—accepted the offer of Lord Celebrimbor and the mysterious Annatar to help save their realm from ruin. This was the beginning of the forging of seven of the titular rings for King Durin and his fellow dwarven lords.
Unfortunately, these rings are not like the elf rings found in The Rings of Power Season 1 finale. As the show’s creators told me before Season 2’s release, they’re “more seductive and sinister”; a byproduct of Annatar—the last of Sauron’s disguises—being more involved in their creation.
In anticipation of The Lord of the Ring prequel series’ return, Princess Disa actor Sophia Nomvete also suggested that “there has to be a price” with the creation of the Dwarven Rings – and “there certainly is a price.” While the Dwarves’ stubbornness prevents them from being completely corrupted by Sauron’s ring-based influence, the dark magic within them has a manipulative effect on them. Indeed, it makes them greedy for gold and jewels, which is why we see King Durin unexpectedly become greedy for riches as season 2 episode 5, titled “Halls of Stone,” progresses.
The Rings for Dwarves are complete. Watch The Rings of Power Episode 5 now on Prime Video. pic.twitter.com/Z1J9EWmhGHSeptember 12, 2024
Knowing his father was never much of a treasure hunter, Prince Durin senses that something has changed—and clearly not for the better. What fans witnessed in the fifth episode of this season, particularly the heartbreaking scene in which Durin III averts his son’s concerns about the rings by officially reinstating him as heir to the kingdom’s throne, marks the beginning of a new downturn in their father-son relationship. And, as Arthur told me exclusively, what happened during that sequence, as well as other emotionally wrenching scenes to come in the final three episodes of Season 2, hit a little too close to home for him on a personally difficult level.
“King Durin is such a strong anchor for Khazad-dûm and his son, and he always gives advice,” Arthur said. “And when he starts wearing the ring, something changes in him. It’s almost like he has Alzheimer’s. I’ve never said this to anyone before, but I’ve dealt with people who have Alzheimer’s and I couldn’t escape the feeling that I’m losing my father, even though he’s standing right there in front of you.
“The ring takes him away from Prince Durin and as much as he tries, he can’t tell his father and his own king to stop wearing the ring, but it kills him inside to see his father change before his eyes. So, that’s the challenge that he faces and the big shift that we see between them in season two.”
It is clear that Annatar/Sauron is a lot to justify driving another wedge between Durin III and Durin IV, but he hasn’t drawn the most ire from viewers in The Rings of Power‘s latest episode. In the aftermath of episode 5, fans have been outraged by the events surrounding Season 2’s slimiest individual. I also won’t spoil what’s going to happen in the final three episodes of one of Prime Video’s best shows, but rest assured: you’re all in for a much grimmer, more explosive ride as we near the end of Season 2.