Embedded Files
Episode 2 was released at the same time as the first one, and continues the storylines introduced in that episode, being of especial interest the one with Nori Brandyfoot and the mysterious Stranger fallen from the moon, while also introducing one of the last important storylines to be featured in the show, Durin IV and his family at Khazad-dûm. The episode delivers again with gorgeous visuals, especially when we discover the realm of the dwarves, and moves the plot forward with some interesting revelations, plus some funny character interactions. And the end, similar to what happened in the previous episode, leaves a hint of what's to come in future episodes, this time with the introduction of Númenor.
By the way, Bear is releasing weekly albums with complete score for each episode, so I definitely recommend to give it a listen while you read this, so you can better understand the narrative and the thematic development I analyze. And in case you need it, I'm working on a spreadsheet comparing the tracks on the complete releases to the tracks already released in the first soundtrack album.
SHORT DISCLAIMER: The transcriptions are not always in the same key as the pieces I put as example, and sometimes they are simplified to make it clearer and more concise
Musically, we start right away with the development of the theme hinted at the end of the previous episode, The Stranger Theme. Here in "Carrying a Giant", McCreary allows the theme to develop in full, both sections of the theme getting some time to shine, along with its main ostinato. The theme starts quite mysterious but as Nori tries to get closer to him, in "Offering Snails" and "Constellation of Fireflies", the theme becomes a bit more friendly, even comical, while still being ambiguos. I particularly love the first half of "Offering Snails", with the theme played on a celeste, which gives it a magical quality, very fitting for this mysterious character. Similar variations play at 1:21 of "Constellation of Fireflies"
The Stranger theme feels both magical and ambiguos, because of its chord progression, which moves between minor chords
Obviously, this storyline also features some importan statements of Nori's theme, that play in counterpoint to the stranger's material. The theme reflects her good-hearted nature, and her innocence, playing the melody usually on whistle or strings. One of my favorite statements of the theme in the episode is without a doubt the one that plays when she tells her friend that see feels the stranger falling near her is a sign of something important that's about to happen, and that perhaps may concern her (At 2:04 and 5:32 of "Carrying a Giant")
Later on, we are introduced to the realm of dwarves, and their people. This storyline starts with Celebrimbor showing Elrond his plan of building a tower that will be home to the greatest forge ever built. As I had suspected, the chords from "Where the Shadows Lie" play several times, reinforcing the idea that this is intended to represent the Forge of the Rings of Power, which I'm sure we will see sometime down the line on the show. This gets repeated underneath the Khazad-dûm material in one of the last scenes, as Durin talks to his father about Elrond's proposal.
When Elrond finally arrives at Khazad-dûm, we can hear hints of his theme sprinkled throughtout, but what really shines in here is the material for the city and its prince, Durin IV. McCreary scores their scenes with imponent male choir, metallic percussion and brass statements of the themes. The one we hear for most of the first part is the Khazad-dûm, and its underlying ostinato, with both sections of the theme getting the spotlight as Elrond enters the city and admires its beauty and grandness.
The Khazad-dûm theme is harsh and tough, but full of nobility, perfectly reflecting the dwarves and their ways
In these sequences, Elrond's theme offer a bit of relief in contrast to the dwarves more aggressive material
"Into Khazad-dûm" contains most of the statements on both of this themes, but also introduces an idea that will be greatly developed later, in "Durin and His Family". It's obviously Durin IV's Theme. The theme has some more emotional variations played on strings, representing the softer side of the dwarves, especially as Durin tells Elrond he is mad at him for missing his wedding and the birth of his two children, since time passes different for dwarves and elves. The theme gets a couple of sad statements at the start of "Durin and His Family", before Durin lets Elrond in his home. Here, as we meet his family, McCreary introduces the characteristic percussion and instrumentation that will go with many of the theme statements (at 1:06 of that track). As they both come to terms and Durin becomes more friendly towards Elrond, the theme becomes more friendly, with a nostalgic vibe, hinting at their past friendship, and their shared experiences (at 2:16 of "Durin and His Family)".
The complete Durin IV theme is noble and welcoming, and has some similarities to the Khazad-dûm material, both in chord progression and melody structure, linking the realm and its prince
The other two storylines to be featured in this episode are the one with Galadriel adrift in the Sundering Seas, and the shocking discoveries made by Bronwyn and Arondir at the Southlands. Galadriel's theme has some fleeting appearances here and there, being one of the highlights the choral lament at 4:07 of "On the Raft". This leads to the appearance of Halbrand's theme (listen for a strong statement of the theme at 4:31 of that cue), which gets a couple of interesting variations through the episode, giving meaning to the theme, as we finally meet Halbrand. I think this idea is meant to represent not only Halbrand, but the Southlands as well, and that's why it played in the introduction of that area in the previous episode. Both themes define the cues accompanying their adventures at sea and are greatly developed in the cues "Adrift" and "On the Raft", together with some crazy action music for the sea monster.
Galadriel's theme in the episode is never quite fully realized, as she is lost and unsure of what her fate will bring her
Halbrand's theme gets properly associated with his character, and recieves prominent statements when he saves Galadriel from drowning
Bronwyn and Arondir's storyline at the Southlands features some brief statements of their theme, but these sequences are directed like a horror movie (grea direction by J.A. Bayona), and McCreary supports this with passages full of dark ambience, chopping strings and stingers, and a constant sense of impending doom reinforce by Sauron's theme, and his ostinato. The chase at the tunnels, and the confrontation with the orc at Bronwyn's house are scored with hints of the the theme, and when they finally take the decision to leave their home in search of a safer place, McCreary plays the full Sauron theme with choir in a chilling statement which makes it pretty clear that they are definitely not safe. And perhaps Bronwyn's son, Theo, has something to do with that, as he is slowly getting closer and closer to a black dagger with Sauron's mark.
Bronwyn and Arondir's theme plays from time to time as a short relief to the otherwise dark and menacing vibe of their storyline
Sauron's theme becomes quite strong as the people of the Southlands realize there might be something darker lying underneath their home
The end of the episode, as it happened in the previous one, leaves us with a cliffhanger, where Halbrand and Galadriel arrive somewhere mysterious, and are recieved by a mysterious shadow which we will meet next episode. McCreary hints about what's to come by introducing us the theme for Númenor, in its characteristic instrument, the yayli tambur, before closing off the episode.
So this is where it ends for now! Another great episode, where we get to meet new great characters like Durin and his family, and where we get to discover a bit more of the mystery surrounding the dark discoveries happening at the Southlands, which I'm sure will payoff greatly in upcoming episodes. Be sure to stay tuned for the next post about the following episodes, and feel free to share it with anyone you think migt enjoy it.
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