Wait, what? Explaining *that* kiss in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7 – and why it's so controversial

EntertainmentTVFantasy ShowsLord of the Rings TV ShowsLord of the Rings: The Rings of PowerWait, what? Explaining that kiss in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7 – and why it’s so controversialWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

EntertainmentTVFantasy ShowsLord of the Rings TV ShowsLord of the Rings: The Rings of PowerWait, what? Explaining that kiss in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7 – and why it’s so controversialWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

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(Image credit: Prime Video)

Elrond in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2

In the latest episode ofThe Rings of Power season 2, two major characters kiss – and the moment is a little stranger than it might appear, once you take the works of J.R.R. Tolkien into account.

The following will containspoilers for The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7! Turn back now if you’re not up to date!

Why Elrond kissing Galadriel is controversial in The Rings of Power

(Image credit: Amazon Studios)

Galadriel in The Rings of Power season 2

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, Elrond actually ends up with Galadriel’s daughter, Celebrían. Elrond and Celebrían’s daughter is Arwen, who plays such a major role in The Lord of the Rings.

Galadriel is married toCelebornin Tolkien’s works – and in the show – and though he’s been mentioned in The Rings of Power, he hasn’t yet appeared. That means the kiss between Elrond and Galadriel is kind of weird on two levels, considering Elrond is locking lips with his future mother-in-law, who also happens to be a married woman.

Though, of course, within the show, Elrond seems to be kissing Galadriel purely as a distraction technique. Just before the moment, he slips off his cloak pin, which Galadriel later uses to escapeAdarand the Uruk-hai. It seems pretty clear that, during the kiss, Elrond passes Galadriel the pin for this exact purpose.

Now, why he decided kissing her was the best distraction is a mystery… and it’ll surely lead to an uncomfortable story for Celebrían, someday.

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You can check out ourRings of Power season 2 release scheduleto keep up to date, or see ourRings of Power season 2 reviewfor our spoiler-free verdict on all eight episodes.

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