Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Rings of Power season 2, episodes 1-3.
The Rings of Powerseason 2 is showing the aftermath of Sauron’s return, but rather than making viewers root for its heroes,Amazon’sLord of the Ringsshow is making it hard to support characters they’re supposed to like.The Rings of Power’s sophomore season opens where the previous outing left off, with Elrond taking the three Elven rings from Galadriel and racing to Gil-galad. He tells theHigh King of the Elvesof Halbrand’s deception, but Galadriel faces few consequences for welcoming Sauron into the fold.
From there,the characters continue to play into Sauron’s plan, even after what happens at theend ofThe Rings of Powerseason 1. In some ways, this is inevitable. Based onJ.R.R. Tolkien’s books, Sauron will rise to power during theSecond Age of Middle-earth, so there’s nothing the characters can do to stop him. However,The Rings of Powerseason 2 sees several of them making poorly thought-out decisions way too easily. It makes it incredibly difficult to root for these characters, as it’s so obvious they’re making the wrong choices.
I’m Even More Convinced The Stranger Is Gandalf After The Rings Of Power Season 2’s First 3 Episodes
The Rings of Power season 1 contains many hints that the Stranger is actually Gandalf, and I’m even more convinced after season 2’s premiere.
Galadriel Is Making Her Sauron Mistake Worse In The Rings Of Power Season 2
She Hardly Takes Responsibility & Plays Right Into The Villain’s Hand
Galadriel makes many questionable mistakes throughoutThe Rings of Powerseason 1, and she only digs her heels in deeper during season 2. We knew fromThe Rings of Powerseason 2 trailersthat Galadriel would be tempted by the Elven rings, and herbestLord of the Ringsscene confirmshow much power they hold over her. However,it’s shocking how easily she plays into Sauron’s hand in season 2, even after Halbrand betrays her so thoroughly. She hardly even considers that Elrond is right about the Rings of Power being corrupted, pushing for their use far too quickly.
One could argue that Galadiel is merely trying to preserve her people’s time in Middle-earth, but she doesn’t even seem conflicted over using the rings Halbrand helped to make.
One could argue that Galadiel is merely trying to preserve her people’s time in Middle-earth, but she doesn’t even seem conflicted over using the Rings of Power Halbrand helped to make. For someone who knows how crafty and dangerous Sauron can be, she also doesn’t seem particularly interested in finding him. She doesn’t consider that he could intercept their messages to Celebrimbor, andshe hardly takes accountability for her actions when speaking with Gil-galad and Elrond. As the former notes, she even dances around Halbrand’s true identity.
All of these things make it hard to root for Galadriel, even though she’s one ofThe Rings of Power’s most important characters. It’s bad enough that she’s responsible for Sauron’s wins throughout season 1, but the fact that she makes her mistake even worse in season 2 is inexcusable. Hopefully, she’ll find a way to redeem herself infutureRings of Powerepisodes.
Disa, One Of The Rings Of Power’s Best Characters, Is Pushing The Dwarfs To Destruction
She Should Have Listened To Prince Durin IV
Disa isn’t a character directly taken from Tolkien’s writings, butDurin IV’s wife is playing a pivotal role inThe Rings of Powerseason 2 — and that’s not necessarily a good thingfor the Dwarfs. We know the Dwarfs will become corrupted by their own set of rings sometime during the Amazon series, and it will ultimately lead to their downfall. Their insistence on digging too deeply in the mines will also awaken the Balrog, dooming Khazad-dûm and those who live there.
Disa is one of the best characters inThe Rings of Powerseason 1, and she seems to balance her husband well. However,she’s pushing the Dwarfs towards destruction in season 2, and that makes it hard to get on her side. Despite Durin IV’s mistrust of Annatar and the rings, Disa seems inclined to hear them out. She pushes Durin IV to speak to his father about the Rings of Power, and she’s also on board with the mining project. Disa’s concern for her people drives her actions, but it’s still hard to root for her, knowing what’s coming.
The Rings Of Power’s Cirdan Is Arrogant & Corrupted By The Rings' Power
Someone With His Wisdom Should Know Better
Unlike Disa,Cirdan is pulled directly from Tolkien’s work, and he’s meant to be one of the wisest and most honorable Elves in Middle-earth. Unfortunately,The Rings of Powerseason 2 doesn’t portray Cirdan this way. Although the showtellsus that he’s old and wise when Elrond seeks him out, his actions don’t back up this description. The Amazon series changes how Cirdan gets his Ring of Power, with him agreeing to destroy the Three for Elrond — then having a change of heart just as he’s about to do so.
While this could be attributed to Elven foresight, the series also makes it seem as though Cirdan is corrupted by the rings' influence. In Tolkien’s writings, he receives Narya from Gil-galad, meaning he bears little blame for what happens as a result of their existence.The Rings of Powerseason 2 makes his actions more antagonistic, as they feed directly into Sauron’s plan. His choice also comes off as a betrayal to Elrond, which makes his character seem less likable. The series will need to work harder if it wants to portray Cirdan accurately going forward.
There’s No Getting Around This Harsh Reality
Gil-galad is an Elven leader we should be rooting for inThe Rings of Powerseason 2, buthe remains a terrible High King in the latest episodes.The Rings of Powerseason 1 already turned Gil-galadfrom an awesome character into one who’s easily duped.The Silmarillioncharacterizes the High King as intelligent, strong, and strategic. It also sees him mistrusting Annatar, whileThe Rings of Power’s version of the character hardly suspects Halbrand or anyone else of deception. His mistakes continue into season 2, confirming that this iteration of Gil-galad isnotthe leader Tolkien wrote about.
His mistakes continue into season 2, confirming that this iteration of Gil-galad isnotthe leader Tolkien wrote about.
Gil-galad hardly listens to Elrond’s concerns about the Rings of Power, deciding all too quickly that they’re the only way to save the Elves and Middle-earth. He also lets Galadriel off the hook for her Sauron mistake far too easily. He even allows her to continue being involved in important matters, though he at least puts Elrond in charge of their mission. Overall, Gil-galad doesn’t inspire confidence or admiration with his actions inThe Rings of Powerseason 2. He may have found a way to prolong the Elves' time in Middle-earth, but he’s still doomed many people to terrible fates.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Cast
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
