'LOTR: The Rings of Power' Season 2: Galadriel and Gil-Galad's connection to 'Unseen Realm' explained
MIDDLE EARTH: In 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season 1, the Unseen realm is mentioned as a powerful force. Celebrimbor says the Rings of Power tap into this realm's energy. We've only seen bits of this place before in the 'Lord of the Rings' movies, like when Frodo puts on the One Ring and sees a hidden world.
This Unseen realm is a home to powerful beings. Some characters, like the Stranger, can even use its power. Even though he can't remember who he is, the Stranger might learn to enter this realm in the next season. For now, it's still a big mystery. So what is the Unseen realm and how are Galadriel and Gil-Galad's connected to it?
What is the Unseen realm in 'LOTR: The Rings of Power'?
The Unseen realm is a hidden world that exists alongside the world of Middle-earth. It's home to angels, demons, and ghosts. When someone like Frodo or Bilbo puts on the One Ring, they enter this hidden world and can't be seen in the normal world. But they're still there and can affect and be affected by things in the normal world. We've seen glimpses of the Unseen realm in 'The Rings of Power' through the Mystics who chase the Stranger. They use magic from the Unseen realm to summon fire and disguise themselves. Even when they die, they don't really disappear - they just enter the Unseen realm as ghostly versions of themselves. That's why we see them again in 'LOTR: The Rings of Power' Season 2.
How are Galadriel and Gil-Galad connected to the Unseen realm in 'LOTR: The Rings of Power'?
The new Elven Rings of Power, worn by Gil-Galad, Galadriel, and Círdan, tap into the mysterious power of the Unseen realm. In 'LOTR: The Rings of Power' Season 2, Sauron works with Celebrimbor to create more rings linked to the Unseen realm, including ones for Men and Dwarves. Sauron's guidance is crucial, as he influences the rings and their connection to the Unseen, slowly manipulating their wearers.
Tolkien wrote that the Elven rings slow down time's decay and possibly allow glimpses into the Unseen. They also enhance the wearer's natural powers and have other abilities, like making invisible things visible. But Sauron secretly pushes for these rings to control their wearers, like the Ringwraiths in 'The Lord of the Rings', who were consumed by the Unseen realm and lost control of themselves to Sauron.
Gil-Galad and Galadriel may already feel the Unseen realm's influence, seeing strange visions. In 'The Silmarillion', Elves wearing the Three Rings could access Sauron's mind, and Galadriel's natural power and a past connection to Sauron may help her in accessing his mind. The ring-bearers are playing a dangerous game, unsure if they'll be drawn into the Unseen realm or Sauron's control. We'll just have to wait to find out what nefarious intentions Sauron has planned for the ring-bearers.
'LOTR: The Rings of Power' Season 2 trailer