After rewatchingThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseason 1, I find that I’m still completely baffled by one scene in particular. Overall, I haven’t been too harsh a critic of the Prime Video series, and I have found the show enjoyable and entertaining. My outlook onRings of Powerimproved significantly after season 2, and I’m looking forward to the next installments. Still, there are some problems.
My biggest complaint after I first watchedRings of Powerseason 1for the first time was the pacing. It really felt like the show was treading water there for a while. After season 2, however, I can see why Prime Video took that approach. Going back and rewatching season 1 of theLord of the RingsTV showwas far more enjoyable, since I know now where things are headed. Still,I continue to feel that one scene in particular was just weird.
Galadriel’s Horse-Riding Scene Still Has Me Completely Baffled
This Moment Still Has No Real Meaning For Galadriel’s Arc
InRings of Powerseason 1, episode 3, “Adar,” Galadriel discovers that she will have to ride a horse to get to her next destination on Númenor. After delivering a rather cheesy line (“Did you say ride?"), Galadriel is seen riding a white horse across the island. She is ecstatic—completely thrilled to be riding.Rings of Powerdrove this fact home by making us watch her for several slow-motion moments.
I remember being a bit annoyed about this scene when I first watched it in 2022. ByRings of Powerseason 1, episode 3, I was already frustrated by the show’s pacing problems. So much was being skipped over and rushed through, yet Prime Video felt it necessary to draw out this meaningless horse-riding scene.
Though I now can understand whyRings of Powerneeded to really jump through its first season, I’m still baffled by Galadriel’s slow-motion ride. It’s visually stunning, sure, but the fact thatit contributed nothing to the story or character developmentmakes me think that Prime Video was simply going after an Emmy nomination.
If the point of this Rings of Power scene was to make Galadriel more likable, it failed.
It could be argued that this scene was meant to break upGaladriel’s crankinessinRings of Powerseason 1. Her character became a bit grating during this batch of episodes, since she was so recklessly fixated on finding and destroying Sauron. Still, if the point of thisRings of Powerscene was to make Galadriel more likable, it failed.
Rings Of Power Has Continued To Struggle With Galadriel’s Character
It’s Good That She Is Flawed, But There Must Be A Balance
Rings of Powerhas presented a Galadriel that is very different from the one we are used to. Her primary motivator in season 1 was revenge, which is something entirely unimaginable for herLord of the Ringscounterpart. Still, it makes a bit of sense that Prime Video would take this route. Making Galadriel a primary protagonist meant that the character needed some new faults.
Galadriel was downright unlikable in the first season of Rings of Power. She was aggressive, short-sighted, and gullible. A slow-motion horseback ride didn’t make any difference.
Galadriel presented as the perfect and beautiful Lady of Lothlorien would have been a bit boring inRings of Power.However,what Prime Video has failed to do is balance out the new negative qualities within her character. Galadriel was downright unlikable in the first seasonofRings of Power. She was aggressive, short-sighted, and gullible. A slow-motion horseback ride didn’t make any difference.
Rings of Powerseason 3 is expected to begin streaming near the end of 2026.
Galadriel was a bit better inRings of Powerseason 2, which I expected. After being deceived by Sauron and receiving her Elven Ring, Galadriel would naturally be taken down a couple of notches. However, I was a bit frustrated to see that she was still ridiculously gullible. Sure, she wasn’t cranky and overly aggressive, butit was still tough to like Galadriel since she just kept making the same mistakes.
Rings Of Power Season 3 Must Make A Significant Change
Galadriel’s Arc Must Settle In
Rings of Powerseason 2 did a much better job of making Galadriel seem more hopeful and less cranky (leagues more effective than her weird horseback riding scene). Still, this character’s many flaws continue to make her difficult to like. While it wouldn’t do to suddenly makeGaladriel the calm and serene figure we met inThe Lord of the Rings, something has got to change in season 3.
Part of what went wrong with Galadriel’s character inRings of Powerseason 1 was that the efforts to make her character more positive didn’t feel organic. The horseback-riding scene felt far too random. The slow motion was artistic, but it lasted too long in comparison to the more important scenes. Said and done, the effort to show Galadriel in a positive light simply came across as annoying.
Going intoRings of Powerseason 3, Galadriel is perfectly positioned to go through some organic changes. In season 2, the elf definitively resisted Sauron’s temptation, proving once and for all that she is not under his control. This, combined with the influence of her Elven Ring, could mean that Galadriel’s outlook will have shifted.If handled correctly, this could result in a more well-rounded character.
Of course, only time will tell what routeRings of Powertakes. Hopefully, the writers will take a closer look at this character’s arc across its existing two seasons and make note of what did and did not work. More random slow-motion scenes that completely ignore what makes sense for the character should be avoided. Organic development, however, would be welcomed.
