If there’s no one criticizing The Rings of Power, then it’s safe to say that Elrond is no longer with us. This statement largely holds true, but the Season 2 finale of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power showed Elrond (played by Robert Aramayo) making a choice that would have seemed unimaginable earlier in the season.
After Sauron (Charlie Vickers) attacked Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) with the Crown of Morgoth, Elrond decided to wear her ring, Nenya, to help Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker) drive away the dark forces surrounding her and save her life.
This moment is incredibly significant for Elrond. Carly Lane from Collider got the chance to talk with both Aramayo and Walker about what this decision means for Elrond going forward. Aramayo explained that the tough choice to save his friend’s life does not reflect a complete change in Elrond’s mindset, but it’s more complex than that:
“It’s difficult, isn’t it? Because I think when he puts it on, it’s like he doesn’t know what’s going to happen. One of the narratives could be, ‘Okay, now I’m in the game, now I’m in this role, now I’m opening myself up for corruption.’ But he has no choice in that moment.
But we then see the product of it. And so it’s complicated for him, isn’t it? And we know he doesn’t own a ring for a long time.
And so, I think that, more information needs to come my way about these rings, but something happened in the wearing of it, that saved one of the most important people in my life. So, there’s nothing finite there, I would say, in terms of the way he feels about things.”
For Walker, the fact that Elrond felt trapped, whether it was putting on the ring or the surprising kiss in Episode 7, adds depth to the storytelling. He shared with Collider:
“I like that about the show, if I can digress momentarily, that you talk about the kiss, you talk about wearing the ring, that when you seemingly have no option, how do you function? That’s interesting storytelling that. People read Macbeth and think, ‘Well, I’d never do that.’
Yes, you would. In those circumstances, you would do exactly the same. And I think that’s compelling, that in those moments, if they want to preserve the things that they love and care about and or stay alive, they have to make drastic decisions. And those are stories I enjoy.”
The Final Scene of Season 2 is “Very Tolkienian”
Speaking of tough choices, Lane asked Walker about the final scene in the season. In this scene, Elrond, Galadriel, Gil-galad, and Arondir (Ismael Cruz Cordova) come together to decide their next steps as Sauron advances on Middle-earth.
“I think that’s very astute in that, it is twofold. A) It is a unified decision. It isn’t the king coming out and saying, ‘Now I know you don’t want to do this, but we’re going to buck up, guys.’ That it’s something that, again, like we’re discussing, is difficult but inevitable.
Still from The Rings of Power (Credit: Prime Video)
And the way Charlotte has edited it, I also find profound, in that the king has drawn his sword and he hasn’t even fully turned about-face to the assemblage there. But as he’s turning, the crowd erupts, that they’re poised and ready for the task at hand.
We first see them broken and rejected and dirty and wounded, but their spirit is not beaten, and they’re ready to rally.
I think that’s what makes it beautiful, that it’s the juxtaposition of the poise of the king, the solidarity in the decision, and the willingness of the followers to undertake this treacherous journey. And I mean, that’s Tolkienian, and pretty good television, frankly.”
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 is now available to stream on Prime Video.
In Season 3 of Industry, many betrayals happened, but Yasmin’s (Marisa Abela) shocking choice in the finale was both sad and unexpected. After years of uncertainty, Yasmin and Robert (Harry Lawtey) finally confess their love for each other. But on the same day, Yasmin gets engaged to Henry Muck (Kit Harington).
She had doubts about her future with Robert. It was Henry’s uncle, Lord Norton (Andrew Havill), who pushed Yasmin toward a life with Henry and his family.
Yasmin might not love Henry, but they come from the same background, and they get along well. Since she does not have family money, marrying Henry would give her the luxury life she is used to and the security of being part of his family.
Yasmin Chooses Henry for Her Future
Throughout Season 3, Yasmin faced many challenges. She dealt with her father’s death and the problems caused by his actions, including stealing money and hurting women. After losing her job at Pierpoint, Yasmin had to decide if she wanted to be the face of the scandal or fight it in court, which she could not afford.
Feeling followed by paparazzi, Robert invites Yasmin to join him on a job interview outside London. After spending time together, Yasmin realizes she cannot live a simple life because she is used to her privileged lifestyle, even if it means escaping the constant attention from the public.
Actress Marisa Abela and the show’s creators, Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, disagree on when Yasmin made her decision. Down and Kay told IndieWire that a deleted scene after Yasmin and Robert have sex shows Yasmin’s change more clearly.
However, Abela thinks Yasmin started questioning things in the previous episode while they were on the pier, and their stop at a gas station began to push her toward Henry.
During their visit to Henry in Somerset, Yasmin speaks with Lord Norton. He helps her lean further toward her choice. He promises her protection from his newspaper empire, which would make the bad stories about her and her father disappear.
He also offers her the warmth she has not felt before. Yasmin has often been told she is not special by her father and by Harper (Myha’la). In contrast, Norton calls her exceptional and assures her that her father’s actions are not her fault. He gives her a comforting hug that she has needed all season.
Yasmin’s choice to marry Henry comes from her desire to protect herself and be part of a family that will accept her. In Norton’s words, “Life’s about the family you choose.”
Yasmin and Robert’s Relationship Could Not Last
After a complicated relationship with Harper in Season 1, Yasmin and Robert stayed friends in Season 2. It became clear that Robert’s feelings for Yasmin were stronger than hers. Their relationship was one-sided.
In Episode 7, Yasmin admits, “I’m good at making people feel like I love them, but I don’t know that I ever have.” They both have faced trauma. While Robert is ready for a serious relationship, Yasmin tends to treat their relationship as a game or sabotage it.
Still from Industry (Credit: HBO)
During their road trip, their differences become clear. Yasmin looks down on working-class people, including Robert. Although Robert’s ayahuasca trip gives him some emotional clarity, Yasmin still has issues to resolve.
Yasmin’s sudden engagement to Henry without warning may seem cruel, but breaking up was the right choice for both of them. Even Robert understands this.
They have grown apart, with Yasmin seeking safety and comfort with Henry, while Robert looks for new adventures abroad. In the end, even though Yasmin cares for Robert, she will always put herself first.
All three seasons of Industry are now available to watch on Max in the U.S.
