Galadriel’s role in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is somewhat different than in Tolkien’s books, with another surprising character coming in to fill the shoes these changes have left vacant. The legendary fantasy author compared the Lady of Lothlorien to an Amazonian warrior in his notes, so the hero seen in Rings of Power isn’t too much of a stretch from canon. Instead, it’s Galadriel’s general attitude about the Second Age events that have been adjusted for the screen. This means that the title of Middle-earth’s resident skeptic has to go to someone else.

Sauron has finally begun making his titular rings in The Rings of Power season 2, which has inspired a great deal of disagreement among the beings of Middle-earth. Annatar’s charm means that many have wholly bought into the lure of the Rings, but some have remained skeptical. Though the Dark Lord never touched the materials for the Three Elven Rings, Elrond has been unconvinced that evil doesn’t taint their influence. In Tolkien’s The Silmarillion, he wasn’t the only one—but Rings of Power has taken another angle.

The Rings Of Power’s Galadriel Isn’t Anywhere Near As Skeptical About The Rings As She Is In Tolkien’s Version

Galadriel Is Far More Trusting In Rings Of Power

Despite criticism, a lot about Rings of Power‘s version of Galadriel comes straight from Tolkien’s works. However, a significant difference is her general acceptance of the Rings of Power. She is confident that the Three Elven Rings are not under his influence in season 2, and this has been a major point of contention between her and Elrond. However, this was a question Galadriel and her friend were in agreement on in the Second Age. They knew the Three weren’t inherently evil but recognized that Sauron could easily take advantage of their power.

This hasn’t been the case in Rings of Power season 2. Galadriel was eager to use the Three from the very beginning and has been unwilling to listen to Elrond’s concerns regarding their influence. Prime Video has done away with Galadriel’s characteristic skepticism, likely to create more of a contrast between her and Elrond to make audiences themselves question the nature of the Three Rings. Since both Elves are a little wrong and a little right, this has been effective. However, Rings of Power has brought in another character to take book-Galadriel’s more definitive stance.

Durin IV Has Taken Galadriel’s Place As A Major Ring-Skeptic In The Rings Of Power

Durin IV Has Been The Least Easily Fooled In Rings Of Power So Far

 

In The Rings of Power season 2, Prince Durin IV was invited to Eregion to see the work of Celebrimbor and Annatar, and he very quickly was entirely unimpressed. He did not trust Annatar and picked up on the fact that the Rings he was offering were not what they seemed. It was a tense scene, but refreshing in the sense that this is the first character we have seen on screen who wasn’t falling for Sauron’s tricks. In Rings of Power season 2, episode 4, King Durin III officially obtained his Ring of Power, and his son stood as the primary figure to tell him something was wrong.

All of this is essentially how things were described to have gone down for Galadriel in The Silmarillion and the Appendices of The Lord of the King. Galadriel met Annatar in Eregion, and though she didn’t know he was Sauron, she immediately didn’t trust him. She shared her belief that these Rings of Power could not be trusted, but to no avail. After Prime Video’s Rings of Power announcement, this was what was expected for Galadriel’s on-screen character. Of course, a different route was taken for the Lady of Lothlorien, but Prince Durin IV has surprisingly filled this role.

Was Durin IV Against Using The Dwarves’ Rings In The Books?

Rings Of Power Has Gotten Creative With Durin IV’s Character

According to Lord of the Rings lore, King Durin III really was the first bearer of the Longbeard Dwarves’ Ring of Power, and his son, Durin IV, is noted to have taken the crown and the Ring after his father’s passing. It’s under Durin IV’s leadership that the Dwarves officially join the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. However, little else is known about his role or perspective on Sauron’s Rings of Power. Tolkien’s writings of the Second Age are constructed more like textbooks, so there aren’t many details regarding dialogue or minor personal opinions and feelings. This means Prime Video has a lot of wiggle room.

Though canon indicates that Durin IV inherits his father’s Ring of Power, this doesn’t necessarily mean that he wasn’t skeptical about Annatar’s gifts in the beginning.

Though canon indicates that Durin IV inherits his father’s Ring of Power, this doesn’t necessarily mean that he wasn’t skeptical about Annatar’s gifts in the beginning. The complicated relationship between the king and his son demonstrates that Prince Durin is likely to do things he isn’t comfortable doing for his father’s sake—especially if Durin III meets an untimely end. This is further foreshadowed by Durin IV’s promise to Disa that he would never put on the Ring. This all hints that, despite this Dwarf’s book-Galadriel-level skepticism, he will surely fall prey to Sauron’s influence down the road in Rings of Power.