The Rings of Power Season 2 Unveils Astonishing Twist for Key Tolkien Elf Character

Summary

The Rings of Power series continues to retcon Elven lore, changing the nature of the Noldor's arrival in Middle-earth to make them appear heroic defenders.

In Tolkien's canon, Fëanor was a divisive figure who led the Noldor in a destructive mission to retrieve his stolen Silmarils. However, the series portrays him as a revered and adored ruler. The presence of a statue of Fëanor in season 2 suggests that the revision of his character will persist, overlooking his unfavorable portrayal in Tolkien's original writings.

The season 2 set photos of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power reveal a further alteration in the Elven lore, specifically related to the arrival of the Elves in Middle-earth. In the first season of the Prime Video series, it portrayed the Noldor, led by Galadriel, bravely sailing from Valinor to protect their homeland from Morgoth. However, this contradicts Tolkien's The Silmarillion, where the Noldor were exiled due to the selfish actions of their king, Fëanor. Consequently, Fëanor was not well-regarded among the Elves in Middle-earth. Despite this, The Rings of Power has chosen to approach the story differently.

In Tolkien's canon, Fëanor is remembered as a skilled craftsman who created the Silmarils, three exquisite jewels that held the light of the Two Trees of Valinor. The beauty of these gems attracted the attention and desire of many individuals in The Lord of the Rings universe. Fëanor fiercely guarded the Silmarils, and when Morgoth stole them and fled to Middle-earth, Fëanor swore to do whatever it took to retrieve them. This pursuit of his, however, brought war and suffering upon the Noldor, forever tarnishing his reputation. Despite this established narrative, Prime Video presents Fëanor as a beloved and respected king, which seems to continue in season 2 of The Rings of Power.

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Fëanor's Statue Continues The Rings Of Power's Season 1 Retcon

Drone photographs unveil a city square in one of the sets of The Rings of Power season 2, featuring a statue of Fëanor. Notably absent from both The Rings of Power and The Lord of the Rings, Fëanor can be identified by the prominent hammer in his hand, which was previously discussed in The Rings of Power season 1. However, this portrayal raises concerns as it contradicts the established lore of Tolkien's Noldor, who would not have honored Fëanor due to his selfish actions that led his people into exile before ultimately perishing in the war against Morgoth.

During the events of The Rings of Power, the Noldor are under the leadership of High King Gil-galad, a descendant of Fëanor's brother, Fingolfin. Fëanor's sons, who are responsible for creating the Silmarils, were overlooked for the throne due to their father's crimes and tainted reputation. Consequently, Celebrimbor, Fëanor's grandson, remains without a royal title, despite publicly repenting for his family's transgressions. Surprisingly, The Rings of Power has yet to address this controversial Elven history, as Celebrimbor appears to admire Fëanor's legacy. The inclusion of Fëanor's statue in season 2 suggests that this reinterpretation of events will persist.

Why The Rings Of Power Changed Fëanor's Character

Fëanor's portrayal as a hero in The Rings of Power is frustrating, especially when compared to true villains like Morgoth and Sauron. However, due to the limited rights of the Prime Video series concerning Tolkien's estate, there may not have been many options. Amazon does not have the rights to The Silmarillion, which provides an in-depth description of Fëanor and the Silmarils. Consequently, The Rings of Power cannot delve into Fëanor's true character and the reasons behind his negative legacy.

Instead, the series seems to assign a similar role to Celebrimbor, who, in the Prime Video adaptation, is depicted as more arrogant than the original. The fact that Celebrimbor holds his grandfather's hammer in high regard and strives to live up to his reputation with his creations foreshadows a similar downfall stemming from pride. This shift enables the series to avoid copyright issues surrounding The Silmarillion and the rights associated with it. However, for those familiar with Fëanor's violent history, it is difficult to accept the erection of a statue in his honor.