Galadriel & Elrond’s Kiss Gets Clarified By ‘Rings of Power’ Star, Showrunners

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As a cinephile with over three decades of immersion in the rich tapestry of Middle Earth, I find myself deeply invested in the ongoing saga that is ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power‘. The latest season’s controversial kiss between Morfydd Clark’s Galadriel and Robert Aramayo’s Elrond has undeniably sparked a raging debate among fans, leaving us all eagerly awaiting clarification from the showrunners.

Despite generally favorable reception, the second season of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” stirred debate among fans due to a contentious scene – the unexpected kiss between Morfydd Clark’s Galadriel and Robert Aramayo’s Elrond. Some viewers interpreted this kiss as a hint at romantic feelings between the characters, but a recent interview cleared up any confusion.

In the second season’s near-finale, when Galadriel was captive by Adar and his Orcs, Elrond made an effort to negotiate her release. However, they couldn’t come to terms on acceptable conditions, leading Elrond to ask for a farewell moment with Galadriel instead. This is when Elrond unexpectedly kissed her. The audience soon understood that this kiss was a trick, as Elrond secretly gave Galadriel an escape tool during the embrace. Although it seemed like a calculated move, many viewers speculated if this kiss might hint at a future romantic entanglement between Galadriel and Elrond.

In another viewpoint, Clark and showrunners Patrick McKay and JD Payne suggest that the scene in question, set within The Rings of Power, portrays Galadriel’s kiss as a gesture of platonic respect and loyalty towards the Elf-lord Celeborn, rather than an indication of romantic feelings.

In an interview with ScreenRant, Clark expressed: “From the start, I had this notion that elves should always be seen kissing passionately. To me, it symbolizes the deepest love and respect, yet in a non-romantic sense. I find it quite appealing. What might seem romantic to us humans, feels more like, ‘[Surprise] That’s bohemian.’ I appreciate the idea that elves inhabit their world differently, living freely and unconventionally.

McKay made it clear that elves don’t view affection in the same way humans do, explaining, “The kiss is not romantic to them; elves have unique ways of expressing love.” On the other hand, Payne suggested that elves might be seen as having a more European approach.

Despite Clarification, Galadriel and Elrond’s Relationship Remains Controversial

A significant segment of viewers for “The Rings of Power” is often sensitive to changes in established Tolkien stories, and the controversial nature of Galadriel and Elrond’s kiss can be partially attributed to this. It’s important to note that Galadriel, who is married in “The Rings of Power,” is technically married to Celeborn, although he doesn’t appear in the series. Additionally, Elrond ends up marrying their daughter, Celebrían, in Tolkien’s lore. Given that much criticism of “The Rings of Power” centers around deviations from canon, a developing romantic relationship between Galadriel and Elrond could have been problematic for the forthcoming third season. However, Clark and the showrunners appear to have ruled out this possibility in their explanation of the scene. Yet, many fans find it challenging to view a kiss, even one with strategic intent, as anything other than romantic.

It’s quite possible that the intense criticism from fans could discourage the creators of “The Rings of Power” from taking such daring creative chances in the future. Given that the show depends on viewer engagement, while season two streaming figures suggest it’s not in imminent danger, it remains to be seen what strategies the writers will employ to keep viewers hooked as we approach season three.

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2024-12-08 04:08