Sauron’s “lasting damage” on Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 is teased by star Morfydd Clark. The Prime Video prequel series, based on the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, dove further into the history of Middle-earth as season 1 focused on various events leading up to the Rings of Power and their creation. It also solved the early mystery of Sauron’s whereabouts, when the human Halbrand (Charlie Vickers), who had grown close to Galadriel, was revealed to be the Dark Lord in the finale.

During a recent interview with Screen Rant, Clark teased how that shocking Sauron revelation will affect Galadriel in The Rings of Power season 2. While she noted “lasting damage,” Clark also explained that Galadriel will need to stay optimistic and continue fighting, and considered one of Gandalf’s famous lines from The Lord of the Rings. Read more of Clark’s comments below:

Yeah, it’s really interesting, because I think the risk for Galadriel is that she feels she’s kind of escaped the clutches of Sauron, but she really hasn’t. He’s left lasting damage on her, and I think one of the things that she’s really got to fight is maintaining hope and bravery that, despite what has happened, she can go on to kind of fight for another world to the one that Sauron wants to create. I’ve been thinking a lot about that [part]when Gandalf is like, “A fool’s hope,” because I think there’s a lot of that in this season. People have got to be brave, and people have got to take risks, and people have got to continue to believe that what they can do can make a difference, even though it feels like they can’t.

How Galadriel Learned Of Sauron’s Identity In The Rings Of Power

During season 1, Galadriel becomes skeptical of Halbrand and his claim as King of the Southlands. In The Rings of Power season 1 finale, she confronts him about his fabricated background, an interaction that causes Galadriel to doubt everything she once believed. Upon Sauron revealing his identity, she experienced visions, in which the Dark Lord sought to persuade her, declaring that he could help Middle-earth and grant her power. Retaining what she learned, Galadriel simply informed Elrond (Robert Aramayo) that no one should communicate with Halbrand, and three rings were made.

Will Galadriel Defeat Sauron In The Rings Of Power Season 2?

It Has Been Her Goal From The Beginning

Finding and defeating Sauron motivated Galadriel throughout The Rings of Power season 1, but that may be hard for her now, because she knows more about him and spent a significant amount of time with Halbrand. In one of the aforementioned visions, an angry Sauron reminds Galadriel that she befriended him, and by not telling the Elves what happened, perhaps she felt guilty. Clark’s latest comments suggest that her character will remain affected by that twist. She also previously hinted that there is more hostility between Galadriel and Sauron in Rings of Power season 2.

Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how Galadriel handles having known Sauron, and if that storyline remains impactful. The trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 highlights his return and Annatar persona, as well as another altercation between them. With a planned three more seasons of the Lord of the Rings prequel show, though, they may have a long road ahead of interactions following season 2.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 premieres on August 29.