The Rings of Power season 2 is showing the aftermath of Sauron’s return, but rather than making viewers root for its heroes, Amazon’s Lord of the Rings show 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 the High King of the Elves of 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 the end of The Rings of Power season 1. In some ways, this is inevitable. Based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, Sauron will rise to power during the Second Age of Middle-earth, so there’s nothing the characters can do to stop him. However, The Rings of Power season 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.

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 throughout The Rings of Power season 1, and she only digs her heels in deeper during season 2. We knew from The Rings of Power season 2 trailers that Galadriel would be tempted by the Elven rings, and her best Lord of the Rings scene confirms how 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, and she 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 of The 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 in future Rings of Power episodes.

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, but Durin IV’s wife is playing a pivotal role in The Rings of Power season 2 — and that’s not necessarily a good thing for 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 in The Rings of Power season 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 Power season 2 doesn’t portray Cirdan this way. Although the show tells us 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 Power season 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.

Gil-galad Is Still A Terrible Leader In The Rings Of Power Season 2

There’s No Getting Around This Harsh Reality

Image via Prime Video

Gil-galad is an Elven leader we should be rooting for in The Rings of Power season 2, but he remains a terrible High King in the latest episodes. The Rings of Power season 1 already turned Gil-galad from an awesome character into one who’s easily duped. The Silmarillion characterizes the High King as intelligent, strong, and strategic. It also sees him mistrusting Annatar, while The 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 is not the leader Tolkien wrote about.

His mistakes continue into season 2, confirming that this iteration of Gil-galad is not the 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 in The Rings of Power season 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.

Gil-galad Is Still A Terrible Leader In The Rings Of Power Season 2

There’s No Getting Around This Harsh Reality

Image via Prime Video

Gil-galad is an Elven leader we should be rooting for in The Rings of Power season 2, but he remains a terrible High King in the latest episodes. The Rings of Power season 1 already turned Gil-galad from an awesome character into one who’s easily duped. The Silmarillion characterizes the High King as intelligent, strong, and strategic. It also sees him mistrusting Annatar, while The 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 is not the leader Tolkien wrote about.

His mistakes continue into season 2, confirming that this iteration of Gil-galad is not the leader Tolkien wrote about.