Galadriel is an interestingly flawed character in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, but I can’t believe the series hasn’t allowed her to learn her lesson by now. While it could have been hoped that she would gain a little more wisdom when she put on her Ring of Power, Galadriel has continued to make silly mistakes in season 2. This wasn’t how her character was presented in Tolkien’s Second Age, and Galadriel is clearly a different character by the events of The Lord of the Rings. So, how can Rings of Power bridge this gap (hopefully by the end of this installment)?
While there has been heavy criticism regarding Galadriel’s character in Rings of Power, I’m not among those who find these changes akin to blasphemy. The Lady of Lothlórien proved herself capable of temptation and flaws in The Lord of the Rings, and her desire to redeem herself before returning to Valinor further supports this. Even her warrior status in Rings of Power isn’t beyond the scope of Galadriel’s canon character since Tolkien briefly described her “athletic feats.” However, I never imagined Galadriel would be so gullible.
Galadriel Allows Herself To Be Fooled By Adar In The Rings Of Power Season 2 (After Sauron In Season 1)
Galadriel Has Become Painfully Gullible
Galadriel has become the perfect example of the old “fool me once” saying. She was taking in hook, line, and sinker by Sauron in Rings of Power season 1, and it seemed like this would be a significant awakening. Going into Rings of Power season 2, she was ashamed and eager to make amends. Putting on her Ring of Power, Nenya seemed to seal the deal. I felt that this was going to be when Rings of Power‘s Galadriel would become more like the Lord of the Rings character we know and love. However, she repeated her same old mistake in season 2.
Galadriel was captured by Adar and the Orcs in Rings of Power season 2 for, according to Adar, the purpose of forming an alliance. After sharing a few words over a dinner table, Galadriel basically spilled everything she knew. She tells him that Halbrand is Sauron, that he is creating Rings of Power to control Middle-earth, and that the Three Elven Rings could be used against him. To make matters even worse, Galadriel told Adar where Nenya was, placing Elrond in direct danger. Surprise surprise, Adar was lying, and Galadriel is again looking like a bit of a fool.
Tolkien’s Second Age Galadriel Wasn’t Anywhere Near This Gullible
Galadriel Always Knew Where To Place Her Trust In Canon
In Tolkien’s writings about Second-Age Galadriel, he explains that she was never as taken with Sauron’s fair form as other elves. While she didn’t know that Annatar was Sauron, she recognized that he could not be trusted and warned Celelbrimbor and the rest about her concerns. Of course, Rings of Power made a change, but I’m not mad about it. By allowing Galadriel to be fooled, the Prime Video series has placed the character in a great position for development with a more dynamic arc. However, Adar’s deception is taking things a bit too far.
The Prime Video series needs an opportunity to align its new, gullible version of Galadriel with the wise figure of Tolkien canon, and I can’t help but feel this was a missed chance.
Galadriel recognizing Adar’s deception in Rings of Power season 2 would have been a great way to demonstrate her growth from the previous installment. What’s more, the fact that she is not wearing Nenya in the Orc encampment would show audiences that Galadriel doesn’t need the Ring of Power to be wise. The Prime Video series needs an opportunity to align its new, gullible version of Galadriel with the wise figure of Tolkien canon, and I can’t help but feel this was a missed chance. Of course, it’s not too late for Galadriel to be redeemed in Rings of Power season 2.
How The Rings Of Power Can Redeem Galadriel Before Season 2 Ends
Galadriel Needs To Turn The Tables
Galadriel has made blunder after blunder in Rings of Power, and ending season 2 with her still looking like a fool might not be the way to go. However, I have some faith that there is a plan here. The action will be turned up in the final couple of episodes of this second installment, and this should mean an opportunity for redemption. Galadriel needs to decide here and now that she will no longer be so easily taken in and make a significant move against all her enemies.
To earn redemption for her gullibility, Galadriel needs to not only resist this but take a significant shot back at Sauron.
The trailer for Rings of Power season 2 teased another confrontation between Galadriel and Sauron, and this is sure to happen in the next couple of episodes. Surely, the Dark Lord will attempt to take advantage of the relationship he had previously established there. To earn redemption for her gullibility, Galadriel needs to not only resist this but take a significant shot back at Sauron. She has to prove once and for all that she has learned and grown. Hopefully, I can then end Rings of Power season 2 knowing that Galadriel’s character won’t mess everything up again in season 3.
Rings of Power season 2, episode 7 will release on Prime Video on September 26, 2024.
