As a seasoned gamer and long-time fan of Middle-earth, I found myself deeply immersed in the latest twist of The Stranger’s tale in Rings of Power. In my gaming days, I’ve faced many trolley problems, but none quite as heart-wrenching as the one The Stranger is grappling with.
Beware! This discussion may contain spoilers for Season 2 of ‘The Rings of Power’. To catch up on the show, consider streaming it using your Amazon Prime membership.
As a dedicated gamer immersed in the world of Middle-earth, I’ve found myself at the heart of The Stranger’s tale, which is reaching a pivotal juncture in ‘Rings of Power’. My Harfoot companions, Poppy and Nori, played by exceptional actresses, are deeply entwined in this narrative.
After completing my recent interviews for Season 2 of “The Rings of Power,” I was fortunate enough to reconnect with Markella Kavenagh and Megan Richards, who portray Nori and Poppy respectively. During our conversation, we delved into their encounters with the Stoors, and also discussed The Stranger, who has been apart from them for some time, and the significant choice he faces at the end of Episode 6. In relation to Tom Bombadil‘s words to the wizard: “Your friends or your destiny? The decision is yours,” Kavenagh commented on:
In the same vein as when you strike up a conversation with someone new and one of the initial inquiries is always, “What’s your profession?” I often find myself pondering why this is the first thing people ask, as it barely scratches the surface of who they truly are. Similarly, in that scene, what stood out to me was the unique question posed to The Stranger about his views on his fate and his identity as a being – a refreshing change from the usual small talk.
Let us remember, not only do we not know The Stranger’s identity, he doesn’t either. He’s on a quest to figure that out and help Middle-earth, but beyond that, he’s not quite sure what to do. However, he does know he loves his friends and he wants to help them. It’s an impossible trolley problem he’s facing, and he’s not sure what to do next after Tom leaves him alone on that cliff. In response to that, the Nori actress told me:
It felt bigger than the choice itself, of choosing his friends and choosing whatever else lay ahead to fight. So it was nice, because it felt like it was more encouraging The Stranger to reflect on who he is as a being.
Megan Richards concurred with her fellow actor, noting that their response was “articulately expressed.” She then mused about the similarity of asking someone about their future plans like inquiring about a friend’s next move in life. Expanding on this idea and providing more insight into The Stranger’s decision, she continued her thought.
In life, it’s seldom that you’re explicitly told to choose between left or right. Usually, the path appears naturally, and it seems more like a fluid choice rather than a definite decision.
It’s clear that Poppy and Nori weren’t present, so they’re unaware of The Stranger’s future destination. Richard shared with me that the scene, having left Weyman’s wizard all by himself, was incredibly awe-inspiring as he was left contemplating his next steps alone.
In summary, Kavenagh and Richards’ ideas about their characters’ predicaments seem profoundly relatable, as if they’re posing the question of what lies ahead for us all when we’re unsure of our future. To put it simply, it’s like pondering your life’s direction without knowing the answer. This dilemma, I believe, resonates with many people. Now, the intrigue arises: Which choice will their magical companion make? Will he choose to safeguard Middle-earth or prioritize his friends? Ideally, he would find a way to accomplish both, as I eagerly anticipate the return of these endearing Harfoots alongside The Stranger.
To find out how the story of this trio continues, tune in to new episodes of “Rings of Power” each Thursday on Prime Video, as per the 2024 television schedule.
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2024-09-20 02:07