The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has kept fans eagerly anticipating the continuation of the battle between Galadriel and Sauron. After a two-year wait between seasons, the second season finally brings these two characters back face-to-face. This time, their encounter is not just a simple meeting but an intense battle, filled with tension and emotion.
This is the first time Galadriel (played by Morfydd Clark) and Sauron (played by Charlie Vickers) have come together since their relationship was torn apart at the end of Season 1. The series has built up to this moment, and thankfully, it delivers the emotional depth and drama that fans expected. Anything less would have felt like a letdown, considering the deep connection between the heroine and the villain.
In the first season, Galadriel and Sauron had a complicated relationship. They initially met when both were feeling out of place. From that encounter, a bond formed, but everything changed when Sauron’s true identity was revealed.
The once-friendly pair became enemies, and by the end of Season 1, they were separated, both haunted by thoughts of each other. This emotional complexity carries into the second season, as the two characters continue to struggle with the memories and feelings they have for one another.
Episode 8 of Season 2 finally brings their tension to a head in a violent clash. The battle between Galadriel and Sauron showcases the emotional journey they have both gone through. One of the most striking moments is when Sauron uses Galadriel’s feelings against her.
He transforms from his Annatar form back into the appearance of Halbrand, a version of himself that Galadriel (and viewers) had come to care for in Season 1. Seeing Halbrand again is enough to make Galadriel pause, overwhelmed by the memories and emotions tied to that face. This moment shows how much Galadriel still cares for Halbrand, even though she knows the truth about him now.
When Sauron first appears in the woods outside Eregion in his Annatar form, Galadriel is frozen with fear. But she quickly remembers who she is—a warrior and the Commander of the Northern Armies. Galadriel attacks Sauron with fierce determination, gaining the upper hand by kicking him off a small hill.
Still from the show (Prime Video)
Sauron disappears, but Galadriel immediately follows, ready to strike with her sword. However, when she reaches him, Sauron has transformed back into Halbrand, complete with the armor he wore when they left Númenor together.
Seeing Halbrand again causes Galadriel to hesitate. Her confidence falters, and she lowers her sword. Morfydd Clark’s portrayal of Galadriel at this moment is powerful. She conveys a whirlwind of emotions: grief, shame, heartbreak, and regret.
The music by composer Bear McCreary adds to the intensity, shifting from fast-paced battle rhythms to slow, mournful strings. This scene makes it clear that Galadriel cared deeply for Halbrand, despite everything that has happened. Halbrand represented something real to her, something she can’t bring herself to destroy.
Sauron, for his part, knows exactly how to manipulate Galadriel. He understands that showing her Halbrand’s face will be more effective than any physical attack. By appearing as someone Galadriel once cared for, he exploits her vulnerability, using her broken trust and shattered hope against her.
Before he even strikes physically, Sauron delivers a psychological blow. This tactic could have easily crushed Galadriel’s spirit if she hadn’t already rediscovered her own inner strength.
Sauron’s cruelty is evident in this scene. He knows how to hurt Galadriel in the worst possible way—by reminding her of the connection they once shared. But Galadriel proves stronger than Sauron anticipated. While she may still feel conflicted about Halbrand, she does not let that stop her from standing up to Sauron.
Sauron’s choice to appear as Halbrand is fascinating, especially when you consider the differences between his appearances in Season 1 and now. Actor Charlie Vickers explained in an interview with ScreenRant that he had only a weekend to grow the stubble for Halbrand’s look in Season 1.
But in Episode 8 of Season 2, Halbrand appears more clean-shaven. This change in appearance suggests that Sauron is offering Galadriel a slightly different version of Halbrand—perhaps a younger, more innocent-looking version. This shift could be Sauron’s attempt to appeal to Galadriel’s desire for the righteous King of the Southlands, the man she once believed Halbrand to be.
Still from the show (Prime Video)
The contrast between Halbrand’s look in Season 1 and Season 2 adds another layer of meaning to the scene. Sauron is not just trying to manipulate Galadriel with any old face—he’s using a version of Halbrand that could symbolize the man Galadriel wished he could be. This tactic reinforces the idea that Halbrand was always an invention, something Sauron could abandon whenever it suited him.
However, Sauron’s choice to appear as Halbrand also shows a rare look of vulnerability. While Sauron is not being truthful in the factual sense, this is the most honest we’ve ever seen him. The character of Halbrand, with all his flaws and complexities, might have represented a real possibility for redemption at one point.
Galadriel once believed in Halbrand’s potential, and perhaps Sauron, too, briefly considered pursuing a different path. But, in the end, he chose darkness over redemption. Sauron’s interactions with Galadriel are full of contradictions. He claims to know her mind, and to some extent, he does.
But he also seems to care about her, in his own twisted way. This dynamic between them makes their relationship so compelling. Sauron is not just trying to defeat Galadriel physically—he wants to win her over emotionally. He tells her that not everything they shared was a lie, and his transformation into Halbrand underscores that point.
Sauron’s feelings for Galadriel may be genuine, but they are still deeply flawed. His desire to possess her, to keep her by his side, speaks to his own insecurities and need for control. Even though Galadriel sees through his deception, Sauron’s manipulative tactics still have an impact on her. Their relationship is a constant push and pull, with both characters struggling to reconcile their feelings with their duties.
By the end of the episode, Galadriel manages to turn Sauron’s arrogance against him. She has grown stronger since Season 1, and she no longer lets her emotions cloud her judgment. While the tension between them remains, Galadriel proves that she is not as easily swayed by Sauron’s tricks as she once was.
The dynamic between Galadriel and Sauron continues to be one of the most intriguing aspects of The Rings of Power. Their connection is more than just a simple good-versus-evil battle. It’s a complicated relationship built on mutual respect, betrayal, and lingering affection. As the show moves into its third season, fans are left wondering how this relationship will continue to grow.
Sauron’s choice to exploit Galadriel’s emotions shows how deeply intertwined their fates have become. The two characters are bound together by their shared history, and neither can fully move on from the other. This connection creates a powerful tension that keeps viewers invested in their story.
The Rings of Power shows the complexity of human emotions, even when those emotions exist between a hero and a villain. Galadriel’s struggle to balance her feelings for Halbrand with her knowledge of Sauron’s true nature is a reflection of the internal conflicts we all face. As the show progresses, it will be interesting to see how Galadriel and Sauron’s relationship continues to shape the story.
Colin Farrell’s character, Oz Cobb, continues his relentless journey through danger in last week’s episode of The Penguin. In the third episode titled “Bliss,” the story shifts toward an unusual partnership between Oz and Sofia Falcone, played by Cristin Milioti. This unexpected alliance brings fresh tension and suspense to the show.
In the previous episode, Oz involved his teenage protégé, Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz), in a risky plan. The goal was to frame Johnny Viti (Michael Kelly), an underboss in the Falcone crime family, for the murder of Alberto Falcone (Michael Zegen).
Unfortunately, their plan took a turn when Sofia hired Detective Marcus Wise (Craig Walker) to uncover a mole in the family. This forced Oz to make adjustments, leading to Sofia’s personal bodyguard, Castillo (Berto Colon), being blamed for the murder instead.
The episode begins with a flashback to the election night from The Batman. Victor had agreed to meet his crush, Graciela (Anire Kim Amoda), on the rooftops after a quick stop at his family’s apartment. While at the apartment, Victor tries to convince his father (Jose Guns Alves) to accept better opportunities at work to earn more money. His father refused to consider it.
Later, Victor joined his friends, including Graciela, on a rooftop nearby. As Victor and Graciela shared a tender moment, Gotham was rocked by explosions, with bombs set by the Riddler. These explosions caused a massive flood that destroyed Victor’s family apartment, most likely killing everyone inside.
This heartbreaking flashback gives the audience a clearer understanding of Victor’s grief and sets the tone for the episode. Until now, Victor had been one of the few good influences in Oz’s life. It hadn’t made sense why someone like Victor, who seemed so different from Oz, would stick around.
Although we assumed that Victor’s family was no longer in the picture, we had never fully understood what happened. Before the tragic flood, Victor’s family life appeared normal, with loving parents. But, like many in Gotham, this tragedy set Victor on a path to unexpected places.
Still from the episode (Max)
Back in the present day, at Oz’s apartment, Oz talks to Victor about his temporary alliance with Sofia. Oz expects Luca Falcone (Scott Cohen) to eliminate Sofia once he learns she is playing them. Despite Victor’s failure to plant the jewels in Viti’s car in the previous episode, Oz reassures him that it is “ancient history.” He promises to keep looking out for Victor. Soon after, Sofia arrives at Oz’s apartment.
Oz takes a call from Salvatore Maroni (Clancy Brown), who tells him that Viti has placed the entire Falcone family on lockdown. Victor, nervous, greets Sofia as she questions him about his relationship with Oz. She reveals that Oz once worked as her driver, something Victor didn’t know. Sofia humiliates Oz by forcing him to drive her, just like in the old days, leaving Victor behind.
Sofia and Oz arrive at a Falcone family shipping plant, where Oz is surprised to see that the product comes from Arkham Asylum. Confused, Oz confronts Sofia, believing this was part of Al’s plan. Sofia gives a vague response, “I know you did.”
Inside the lab, Oz is even more confused when he sees mushrooms being processed. He learns that the mushrooms are only being used to collect their spores, which are then turned into a new drug called “Bliss.” Sofia orders Oz to find a distributor to spread this new drug throughout Gotham.
Meanwhile, back at Oz’s apartment, Victor calls Graciela for the first time since election night. He invites her over. When she arrives, it’s clear that she doesn’t know about Victor’s involvement in the criminal world. She believes he’s just a driver for a nightclub owner.
Graciela tells Victor she is leaving Gotham to move to California and asks him to join her. Victor declines, unsure if Oz would let him leave. He finally confesses the truth about his connection with Oz and admits that he fears for his safety if he tries to walk away. Graciela pleads with him to come with her. Moved, Victor gives her some of the cash Oz had paid him and asks her to buy a bus ticket. He promises he will leave Gotham with her.
Tensions rise as the fragile trust between Oz and Sofia threatens to break. At the same time, Victor becomes the character through whom the audience views the growing danger. We want Victor to escape with Graciela, but his loyalty to Oz gives him purpose after the loss of his family.
Still from the episode (Max)
The next day, Sofia crosses paths with Viti at the Falcone estate. Viti hands her a plane ticket to Italy and insults her, calling her a “mentally unstable spoiled brat.” Later, Sofia meets Oz in Chinatown, where he suggests an alliance with the Triad crime syndicate by bribing their deputy, Link Tsai (Robert Lee Leng). They enter the Triad’s club, where Sofia’s gun is taken. Oz manages to convince Link to have his men lower their weapons before introducing him to the new drug, Bliss.
While Victor waits outside in Oz’s car, a cop approaches and tells him to get out. Victor uses quick thinking and bribes the officer with the cash he has left, convincing the cop to walk away. Inside the club, Oz and Sofia tell Link about their plan to take control of the Falcone family. They lie, saying that Viti supports them. Link doesn’t believe them and says that Feng Zhao (François Chau), the head of the Triad, will need confirmation from Viti before agreeing to anything.
Later, Oz and Victor dine at a fancy restaurant. Victor seems to struggle with how to tell Oz about his plans to leave Gotham. He talks about his father’s unfulfilled dream of becoming a chef, though he worked as a mechanic. During their conversation, Oz notices Luca Falcone’s wife, Tina (Tess Soltau), at a nearby table.
Oz approaches her and asks for a favor. Soon after, Oz and Sofia enter Viti’s hotel room and catch him with Tina, who happens to be Luca’s wife. They blackmail Viti into calling Zhao, but not before Viti insults them. Oz retaliates by shoving the phone into Viti’s mouth, demanding that he make the call.
At the Triad’s club, Oz, Sofia, and Eve Karlo (Carmen Ejogo) instruct Eve’s employees, along with Victor, to distribute Bliss. After leaving, Sofia pulls Oz aside and signals that she wants to take the lead in their dealings, pointing out that Zhao is only meeting with them because of her.
Though Zhao respects Sofia’s operations, he feels the risk is too great due to the Triad’s rocky history with the Falcones. Sofia tries to sway him by talking about their shared hatred of her late father. Zhao brings up Sofia’s time in Arkham Asylum.
Sofia responds by sharing that Bliss was given to her and other inmates while she was in Arkham. Still unsure, Zhao seems unconvinced. In response, Sofia mentions that she researched Zhao’s father, a psychologist, hoping this will make Zhao reconsider. Sofia then warns that if he refuses, she and Oz will take the opportunity to another crime family.
Still from the episode (Max)
Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti’s performances as Oz and Sofia continue to impress, especially in scenes where they work together. Their chemistry is undeniable, as they bring out the best and worst in each other’s characters. Despite their uneasy alliance, the two shine brightest when they collaborate. The will-they-won’t-they dynamic between Sofia and Oz, while entertaining, sometimes feels repetitive. It seems inevitable that the series will culminate in a showdown between them.
While distributing Bliss in the club, Victor receives text messages from Graciela. She asks him to meet her at the bus station. However, the loud noises and bright lights in the club trigger a panic attack in Victor. As he tries to calm down in the bathroom, Graciela sends him another message, saying the bus will leave soon. Just as he is about to reply, Oz barges in.
He notices Victor’s phone and the messages from Graciela. Furious, Oz scolds Victor, accusing him of thinking he is too good for the criminal life. Oz pulls out a gun and presses it against Victor’s head, demanding to know if Victor thinks he is being held hostage. Eventually, Oz lets Victor go. Victor drives to the bus station in Oz’s car but arrives too late. He watches through tears as Graciela boards the bus and leaves without him.
Outside the club, Oz informs Sofia that the deal with the Triad has been made. Sofia remains indifferent. They have a brief conversation, where Sofia admits that she believes Oz is using her to climb the ranks in the Falcone family.
Oz tearfully confesses that he doesn’t regret betraying her to Carmine Falcone because it helped him gain more power. However, he sympathizes with what happened to her, admitting that he didn’t know Carmine planned to send her to Arkham. As they share a cigarette, Sofia admits she no longer knows how to trust Oz. Oz promises to keep proving himself to her.
Still from the episode (Max)
Suddenly, Nadia Maroni (Shohreh Aghdashloo) and her men show up, pointing guns at them. She reveals that she knows Oz never planned to repay her. At that moment, Victor returns, sees what is happening, and drives his car into the scene, causing a distraction and allowing Oz and Sofia to escape. Oz jumps into the car, ordering Victor to drive off, leaving Sofia behind.
This episode shifts the focus from Oz to Victor, giving viewers a deeper understanding of his character. While Oz brings out a darker side in Victor, Victor helps Oz show a softer, almost paternal side. However, in the end, Oz chooses his own safety over loyalty to his protégé. This development sets up more tension for future episodes, as Victor and Oz’s relationship will inevitably face new challenges.
In Episode 3 of The Penguin, titled “Bliss,” the intricate web of alliances and loyalties deepens, revealing the harsh realities of Gotham’s underworld. Oz Cobb and Sofia Falcone’s uneasy partnership showcases the complexities of survival in a ruthless environment, where trust is scarce, and betrayal lurks around every corner.
Victor Aguilar’s journey adds an emotional layer to the narrative, highlighting the struggle between personal aspirations and the weight of familial loyalty. As he grapples with his past and the aftermath of tragedy, Victor’s choices become increasingly fraught with tension, emphasizing the broader themes of sacrifice and the consequences of one’s decisions.
The episode masterfully weaves together the characters’ motivations, illustrating how their paths intersect in a city governed by crime and ambition. With the introduction of the new drug “Bliss,” the stakes are raised, drawing Victor deeper into a world he yearns to escape.
The climax leaves viewers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how these alliances will play out and what price each character will ultimately pay. As the series progresses, the lines between loyalty and self-preservation will blur, propelling the narrative toward an uncertain but thrilling future in Gotham’s dark alleys.
