Warning! Spoilers for Rings of Power season 2 ahead!
OneThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powercharacter is giving me major Hermione Granger vibes—and this could be very telling regarding their arc. There have always been significant thematic and character crossovers betweenThe Lord of the RingsandHarry Potter, which makes sense considering the standard that J.R.R. Tolkien set for the fantasy genre. I love seeing the tropes and archetypes the legendary author established popping up in other works, and as aHarry PotterandLord of the Ringsfan, comparing the two is a favorite pastime of mine. Now,Rings of Powerhas presented a chance to do this in reverse.
Tolkien’s twist on the traditionalhero’s journey inLord of the Ringseasily carried over toHarry Potter. Gandalf is a clear inspiration for Dumbledore, Sam’s loyalty to Frodo is evident in Ron’s friendship with Harry, and so on. Morality, destiny, oppression, and the cost of evil are all foundational to both stories, though explored differently from one to the next. The similarities are fun to explore, and now, I feel thatRings of Powercreated a NúmenormeanHermione equivalent.
I Can’t Look At Eärien In The Rings Of Power Without Thinking Of Hermione Granger
Eärien & Hermione Come From A Similar Mold
Eärien has begun to stand out inRings of Powerseason 2 since she played a significant role inQueen Miriel being usurped by Pharazônfollowing the devastating battle in the Southlands.Thoughshe is highly intelligent and knowledgeable about the laws and history of Númenor, her passionate belief that Miriel is leading the kingdom in the wrong direction has caused a great deal of damage. Despite this, she continues to stubbornly push against her father, Elendil, and turns her nose up to those who remain faithful to the old ways of Númenor.
While there are some major differences, I can’t help but see Hermione Granger when I see Eärien on screen.TheHarry Pottercharacter is also extremely clever and passionateand can be considered a bit of a judgemental snob—especially early on in her arc. Of course, Hermione was ultimately led in the right direction by her friendship with Harry and Ron, and as a character cut from a similar cloth, it’s possible that something comparable will happen forRings of Power’s Eärien.
Hermione’s intelligence was both her strength and weakness, and this is another factor seen with Eärien inRings of Power.
Eärien Is Becoming Very Hard To Like In The Rings Of Power Season 2
Hermione Proves There May Be Hope For Eärien
Hermione has long been an extensively debated character inHarry Pottersince fans tend to either love or hate her. I can’t necessarily say the same thing about Eärien at this point in the game. While she wasn’t bad inRings of Powerseason 1, her attitude in season 2 (and that smug look on her face as the Faithful were arrested) has made her pretty hard to like.I imagine that this is how Hermione might have turned outif the version of her character inHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stonehadn’t been humbled by the event with the troll and, therefore, never became friends with Harry and Ron.
After all, themes of love are something else thatHarry PotterandLord of the Ringsshare, especially in how it can transform a person’s story.
The character and plot formulas of one fantasy story can often be used to predict that of another. So, as horrible as Eärien is, her similarities withHarry Potter’s Hermionecould indicate that future events inRings of Powerwill turn things around for her. She isn’t yet irredeemable, andthe love she holds for her brother and father could yet be her moral salvation. After all, themes of love are something else thatHarry PotterandLord of the Ringsshare, especially in how it can transform a person’s story. All we can do is wait and see just how muchRings of Powerhas adopted from another story Tolkien himself inspired.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Cast
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
