I believe thatRings of Powercutting a particularLord of the Ringscharacter was the right choice, but he must be brought back for the upcoming season 3. The Prime Video series has been heavily criticized for its various changes to Tolkien’s work, and I agree that some of these adjustments were taken too far. Some felt lazy, while others I found to be completely silly. However, in some cases, I can see whatRings of Powerwas going for. If a big change adds something to a character’s personal development, it’s worth at least entertaining for a time.
Galadriel’s character has, in many ways, benefited from thechanges inRings of Power.Sure, I have found her gullibility in theLord of the Ringsprequel to be a bit frustrating, since Tolkien’s version of this character would never have fallen for so many villainous tricks.However,Galadriel’s connection with Sauron inRings of Powerseason 1, followed by her inner battle to cleanse him from her mind in season 2, was deeply entertaining. It made Sauron’s influence feel more tangible than ever before. However,this arc wouldn’t have been possible if Celeborn were inRings of Power’s first two seasons.
Celeborn’s Absence Was Good For Galadriel’s Rings Of Power Character
She Needed To Be Unattached
Like many other Tolkien enthusiasts, I was surprised to see that Galadriel was seemingly single whenRings of Powerseason 1 kicked off. She should have been long married to Celeborn by this midway point of the Second Age. Of course, we eventually hear that Galadrielwasmarried, but that she believes Celeborn to be dead. It’s an odd change, but asRings of Powerseason 2 came to a close, I can see why Prime Video went that route.
Galadriel’s arc inRings of Power’s first two installments revolved primarily around her own personal temptationsregarding what Sauron had to offer. In the context ofThe Lord of the Rings, that actually makes a lot of sense. Galadriel’s most significant scene in the central series is her decision to turn down the One Ring when Frodo offered it to her. It was a major moment of resolution for her, and the decision even caused Galadriel to give herself permission to return to Valinor. It felt like a full-circle moment, andRings of Powercreated a starting point that hadn’t previously existed.
Rings of Power has successfully established its own version of where Galadriel’s journey of temptation got its start, and though I wouldn’t go so far as to call it canon, it’s poetic and entertaining.
Rings of Powerhas successfully established its own version of where Galadriel’s journey of temptation got its start, and though I wouldn’t go so far as to call it canon, it’s poetic and entertaining. It also wouldn’t have worked the same way if theLord of the Ringsprequel serieshad included Celeborn from the beginning. For Galadriel to have this journey, she needed to be unattached.A husband (and daughter) would have made her mission for vengeance, followed by Sauron’s temptations, far stranger. However, now that Galdriel is on to a new stage in her story, Celeborn must return.
Rings Of Power Can’t Leave Celeborn Out For Much Longer
Celeborn’s Absence No Longer Serves A Purpose
Galadriel’s arc inRings of Powerseasons 1 and 2 only worked because Celeborn wasn’t around.However, now that the connection between Galadriel and Sauron has been established, and now that she has resisted temptation two separate times (the last of which was far more definitive), it’s time to bring thisLord of the Ringscharacter back.I’m thoroughly entertained by the story Prime Video created here, butkeeping Galadriel conveniently single any longer would be taking things too far. Celeborn must return inRings of Powerseason 3.
Thankfully, this should be easy to pull off. Elves are immortal, andCeleborn’s soul would have returned to the Halls of Mandos in Valinorupon his body’s destruction. When an elf has earned it, the Valar will provide them with a new body, and some even choose to return to Middle-earth after. If Celeborn fell bravely in battle as Galadriel suggested, he would surely be granted this honor. Galadriel and Celeborn’s daughter, Celebrian, is another story, however. Regardless of howRings of Powergoes about it, I’m ready to see these characters sooner rather than later.
