Balrog's Return in 'Rings of Power' Finale: A Plot Hole or a Hidden Clue?

Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for the finale of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2.

So, here we are, stumbling into the grand finale of Season 2 of The Rings of Power, and it’s a spectacle. We have Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) swinging her sword at Sauron (Charlie Vickers), the Stranger (Daniel Weyman) revealing his true colors, and let’s not forget about that fiery beast lurking in the depths of Khazad-dûm — basically, if you’re not on the edge of your seat, check your pulse. But, on an ironic twist of fate, we're all left wondering: Did we just speed through the plot like a dwarf in a mine cart trying to escape a Balrog? Spoiler alert: Yes, yes we did.

Tolkien’s world is rich and deep, like a fine wine or an all-consuming existential crisis. So, naturally, the series introduces us to the glorious gleam of mithril just as it pulls the rug from under our feet. The whole series gives off the vibe of a person who’s just discovered how to do an impressive magic trick but is way too eager to show it off. Instead of letting Khazad-dûm bask in its newfound prosperity, the plot rushes headlong into disaster, as Durin III (Peter Mullan) succumbs to the one ring to rule them all — the Dwarven Ring, that is, not the actual One Ring, which is, of course, a much larger plot point waiting in the wings. The very second he starts digging deeper, it’s like watching a toddler with a spoon digging for treasure — it's cute until it isn’t.

Now, although we feel for our beloved Dwarven folks, can we talk about Durin III's unchecked greed? It’s like he decided to take on the role of an overly ambitious chef, throwing caution to the wind just in time to find himself facing the culinary chaos that is the Balrog. As Prince Durin (Owain Arthur) looks on in horror — like a kid who's just discovered that the cake is, indeed, a lie — he steps up, bringing his wife Disa (Sophia Nomvete) along for the rebellion against Dad. Isn’t family drama just the best? And they say the real monster is the one we love, right?

When the King finally breaches the last barrier of safety like it’s a piñata at a birthday party, he awakens the Balrog. The ensuing chaos is less ‘let’s throw a grand celebration’ and more ‘I hope your life insurance is up to date!’ As Durin III sacrifices himself bravely to confront the fiery monster, a moment that feels almost Shakespearean, we’re left wondering how this family dynamic got so intense. Wouldn’t it have been easier to just honorfully hand over the Ring instead of escalating into a full-blown family feud?

Now onto the timeline, or lack thereof. In Tolkien's world, the fall of Khazad-dûm was supposed to be a slow burn, a tragedy played out over generations — kind of like a good soap opera. The Dwarves were meant to revel in their mithril wealth, the sparkly bling of the Ages, before they hit rock bottom (pun intended). In the series, it feels like they’ve barely unpacked their bags before catastrophe strikes. Talk about a rushed lease!

While it’s true that The Rings of Power has offered an intriguing interpretation of Tolkien's lore, the pacing leaves something to be desired. Wouldn’t it be lovely if they could savor the magnificence of mithril and bask in the glory of Khazad-dûm’s riches before diving headfirst into despair? Alas, we are thrown into a timeline that feels like the creative team had an overzealous game of Monopoly going on — and boy, did they cheat! The series presents Khazad-dûm in its prime, yet it crumbles like a cookie just as it starts to gain traction.

As Season 2 continues to unravel, our hearts are left in turmoil — and our brains are doing somersaults trying to keep up with the speed of the plot. The magical allure of mithril is overshadowed by the sudden and dramatic introduction of the Balrog. If Khazad-dûm falls before it has a chance to build its reputation, what becomes of its legacy? Will it merely be a footnote in a long history filled with epic battles and legendary heroes? This peek into the complexities of dwarvish society and the weighty consequences of greed is surely more than just a grave urgency; it's a cautionary tale distilled into a few hurried episodes.

In short, if Season 2 emphasized anything, it’s that the Balrog coming too soon does more than just awaken an ancient monster — it awakens our collective disappointment that Khazad-dûm never reached its full legendary status, being dashed against the rocks of accelerated storytelling. The richness of Tolkien's Middle-earth deserves more than fleeting glances — it deserves time to breathe, to shine, and to become truly unforgettable.