October 25, 2022

The Rings Of Power Season 1 Finale Recap & Reaction: Halbrand Is Sauron — And Galadriel Chooses The Rings

Full spoilers for The Rings Of Power Season 1 finale, “Alloyed,” follow. Mary & Blake recap and react to The Rings Of Power Season 1 Episode 8, “Alloyed,” as Galadriel discovers that Halbrand is Sauron, the Stranger learns that he is an Istar, Nori leaves the Harfoots for Rhûn, and Celebrimbor forges the Three Elven Rings. The finale’s central revelation works because Halbrand’s identity changes the meaning of the relationship carrying the entire season. Galadriel spent her life hunting Sauron, found him without recognizing him, repeatedly saved him, gave him a royal identity, brought him back to Middle-earth, and delivered him directly to Celebrimbor’s forge. Sauron responds by offering Galadriel the future they appeared to be building together. He will bind her to power, and she can bind him to the light. Galadriel rejects the proposal because she recognizes that his promise of healing still depends upon control. She also leaves the encounter carrying shame, temptation, and responsibility that she refuses to reveal fully to Elrond. The finale then turns that emotional conflict into the creation of the Rings. Celebrimbor learns to coax metals together rather than forcing them. Sauron tries to create the same alloy with Galadriel. The title “Alloyed” describes the metal entering the forge and the relationship Sauron wants to create. Mary’s rating: 5 rings out of 5. Blake’s rating: 4.78 rings out of 5. Watch or listen to the complete recap and reaction below, then revisit the full season with our complete The Rings Of Power Season 1 recap and episode guide. Watch Or Listen To Our Rings Of Power Season 1 Finale Recap Use the podcast player above to listen to the full episode, or watch our complete The Rings Of Power Season 1 finale recap and reaction on YouTube. Subscribe For New Episodes APPLE PODCASTS SPOTIFY YOUTUBE The Rings Of Power Season 1 Finale Recap: What Happens In “Alloyed”? “Alloyed” opens with the Stranger encountering the three Mystics who have been following him. They call him Lord Sauron and attempt to restore the memories and identity they believe are hidden inside him. Nori, Poppy, Marigold, and Sadoc intervene. Their attempt to protect the Stranger reveals that the Mystics have identified the wrong person. The Stranger is not Sauron. He is an Istar—a wizard whose purpose and identity are still emerging. The Stranger uses the Mystics’ staff against them. Their physical forms dissolve into light and moth-like shapes, echoing the imagery associated with the magical beings throughout the season. Sadoc is mortally wounded during the confrontation. He chooses to sit beneath the sky and watch the sunrise with his friends before dying. The Stranger decides that he must travel east to Rhûn, where the stars are unfamiliar and answers about his identity may be waiting. Nori chooses to accompany him. The Harfoots gather to say goodbye. Nori’s parents remind her of the practical lessons they taught her, while Poppy and Nori struggle with the separation of the friendship that has carried them through the season. In Eregion, Galadriel arrives with the wounded Halbrand. The Elves heal him, and Halbrand quickly becomes interested in Celebrimbor’s work with mithril. Celebrimbor has been attempting to use the limited mithril to create an object capable of preserving the Elves. Halbrand suggests that the material’s properties could be amplified by combining it with another metal. The suggestion appears simple, but Celebrimbor immediately recognizes its value. Halbrand flatters his skill, presents the idea as a gift, and allows the legendary smith to develop the process. Galadriel grows suspicious when Celebrimbor repeats language about power over the flesh that resembles words previously used by Adar. She asks for records concerning the royal line of the Southlands. The records reveal that the line ended centuries earlier. There is no living king of the Southlands. Halbrand’s identity was built upon a symbol taken from

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