MOVIE NEWS – With the second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power just released, one particular storyline element has left fans divided. While some might enjoy a “good girl falls for a bad boy” trope, many argue that the hinted romance between Galadriel and Sauron—dubbed “Saurondriel”—deviates too far from J.R.R. Tolkien’s original vision. For these fans, any romantic tension between the two must change drastically as the series progresses to stay true to the established lore of the original trilogy.

The series is an adaptation set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, but since Prime Video does not hold the rights to an exact page-to-screen translation, Amazon has been forced to take creative liberties to fill in narrative gaps. As expected, this has sparked controversy among fans. The perceived romantic link between Galadriel and Sauron needs to be shifted away from romance and toward a portrayal that respects their opposing morals and values.

As The Rings of Power adapts Tolkien’s appendices from The Lord of the Rings, many elements are modified. Since the first season aired in 2022, numerous fans have expressed dissatisfaction with the characterization of Galadriel, particularly in her interactions with Sauron. Galadriel is one of the most powerful and wise Elves, representing hope, wisdom, and the light against Sauron’s darkness and corruption. Suggesting any personal relationship between them, especially with romantic undertones, significantly departs from Tolkien’s intentions.

Galadriel’s and Sauron’s Character Arcs in Rings of Power

In the original The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, Galadriel is depicted as a wise and powerful queen in the Third Age, whose journey is clearly one of enlightenment and redemption. She does not need a romantic subplot with Sauron to reach her full potential. Instead, the show should emphasize the psychological and ideological struggle between them. Sauron’s character, defined by manipulation and deception, should remain the embodiment of evil. Any attempt to humanize him with a relationship risks losing the fearsome, mythic quality that fans of the original works want to preserve.

Discourse Between Fans of the Lord of the Rings Series and Books

Fans of Tolkien’s original works have openly criticized the show’s narrative choices. Many feel that a romantic subplot weakens Galadriel’s character. As Reddit user Samariyu remarked: “I so desperately want to see a story where the central tension in a female character’s arc revolves around wrestling with the consequences of ambition and power instead of the consequences of a choice about who she takes to bed.”

Another user, theacegrace, shared: “The ‘temptation’ scene bothered me because I don’t think the show did nearly enough to establish her own desire to rule her own realms, focusing more on the trauma and vengeance against Sauron. When Sauron makes his offer, it’s more tied to ‘their relationship’ than to ‘Galadriel’s desires,’ which… really feels like a waste.”

As Season 2 progresses, it remains to be seen whether the showrunners will adjust the storyline to align more closely with the expectations of Tolkien’s purists. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is now streaming on Prime Video.

Source: MovieWeb