REVIEW: ‘Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Episode 6 — “Udûn”

Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has been moving along at a relatively steady pace. With a lot of stories dividing your attention into different parts of J.R.R. Tolkien’s world, the series started to hone in on conflict in the Southlands with Episode 5. Now in The Rings of Power Episode 6, “Udûn,” slow and steady begins to pay off.

Directed by Charlotte Brändström and written by Nicholas Adams, Justin Doble, J.D. Payne & Patrick McKay, The Rings of Power Episode 6 centers on Ostirith. Bronwyn and Arondir prepare the city for battle, Adar and his orc children march towards it, and Galadriel and Númenor’s army are crossing the sea to Middle Earth.

While we have some soft moments of build-up at the beginning of the episode, this one is all about battle. It’s about arrows flying, people falling, fires burning, and ultimately keeping hope in the face of despair – you know, what the Lord of the Rings is all about. In what stands as the series’ best action sequences, we get to see Arondir in action. We see him as the aggressor, bringing the fight to Adar in a sequence that allows Cruz Cordova to showcase his physicality as an actor. But we don’t just see Arondir as the one starting the fight, we also see him as a staunch defender, and eventually with his backs against the ropes.

Arondir’s place in the siege we see in The Rings of Power Episode 6 is one of the episode’s best moments. The other is Adar’s place in everything, his genuine care for the orcs that follow him as his children. ___’s physical presence is intimidating and gorgeous. His costuming, make-up and general bone structures crafts Adar into a presence of darkness that rivals Arondir and Galadrial’s striking appearances. The orcs ultimately remain a fascinating part of the series. For one element, their make-up and costuming is truly stunning and help put a spotlight on phenomenal practical effects.

Beyond the effects though, the orcs kinship and connection is absolutely captured, although it’s not between the orcs themselves but to their father, Adar. That said, while the series teased female orcs, outside of a mention of sisters, this has yet to come to fruition, at least in clear view. This isn’t much of a slight, given that the orcs’ costuming is the best of every character in the series, but when promised, you have to expect the show to deliver.

Without giving too much away, The Rings of Power Episode 6 manages to push the series’ towards its end. With only two episodes left and a steep cliffhanger, there is absolutely every reason for fans to get excited both in way of action and in dialogue. While I am floored by the execution of the of the battle, its Bronwyn’s place of inspiring hope that embodies Tolkien’s ideology and writing perfectly. Hope when hope is lost is the key of this episode, but there is still more uncertainty around the bend and in Episode 7.

This. This is what I’ve been waiting for. The Rings of Power Episode 6 delivers on everything that the series has been building up to. A siege, high stakes, and the majority of the storylines converging, we’re at the apex of season one and it completely feels like it. This is what I’ve been wanting, and I am gripping my armrests waiting for Episode 7.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Episode 7 is streaming now, exclusively on Prime Video with new episodes airing every Thursday night.