Sep 23, 2026 · 47 min · 16 segments
**Where the Stars Are Strange - S02E02** In episode two, Sara and Marilyn find rituals of remembrance, reconstitution, repair, and dramatic revelation. They also wish that Elrond would listen to…
Marilyn R. PukkilaHost
Sara BrownHostWhile our main focus is on ritual, to aid our listeners' memories, we'll begin each section with a synopsis of events.
But please note we are doing full-on spoilers from both seasons throughout these episodes.
If that isn't what you want, then go and binge the entirety of Seasons 1 and 2, and then come back and join us.
So we open Season 2, Episode 2 with, in Khazad-dûm, we see the effects of the reawakening of Mount Doom upon the dwarf kingdom far away, as their system of lighting shafts is destroyed by rock falls.
Galadriel has a vision in which she plants seeds before the memorial tree of her brother Finrod, only to have them send out tendrils which trap Lord Celebrimbor against one of the trees to become his own memorial, as he recites the ring verse in Black Speech before he is encased in tree bark.
She feels compelled to protect Celebrimbor, but even though Gil-galad is also receiving visions of future possibilities, he distrusts sending Galadriel because her previous contact with Sauron has left her vulnerable to his influence.
And, um, because we've now seen it in more than one elf from o- more than one elf kind, it seems to be kind of an elven thing, would you say?
Very reminiscent of the seed planting rituals that we saw before the battle from Season 1.
Uh, and I think it's rather a lovely ritual, don't you think? Um, so if it's like a memorial ritual, what you're doing is you are, uh, recognizing, affirming, memorializing the dead by planting life.
Yes, and also perhaps a recognition that the ones you love are still living, if you are an elf, but it is their fëa that has gone to Valinor, and so they're no longer present in your current embodiment, if you will, or whatever.
Do you think they only plant them for elves, or would there be a case maybe, I'm just speculating, I don't have an answer, uh-
While our main focus is on ritual, to aid our listeners' memories, we'll begin each section with a synopsis of events.
But please note we are doing full-on spoilers from both seasons throughout these episodes.
If that isn't what you want, then go and binge the entirety of Seasons 1 and 2, and then come back and join us.
So we open Season 2, Episode 2 with, in Khazad-dûm, we see the effects of the reawakening of Mount Doom upon the dwarf kingdom far away, as their system of lighting shafts is destroyed by rock falls.
Galadriel has a vision in which she plants seeds before the memorial tree of her brother Finrod, only to have them send out tendrils which trap Lord Celebrimbor against one of the trees to become his own memorial, as he recites the ring verse in Black Speech before he is encased in tree bark.
She feels compelled to protect Celebrimbor, but even though Gil-galad is also receiving visions of future possibilities, he distrusts sending Galadriel because her previous contact with Sauron has left her vulnerable to his influence.
And, um, because we've now seen it in more than one elf from o- more than one elf kind, it seems to be kind of an elven thing, would you say?
Very reminiscent of the seed planting rituals that we saw before the battle from Season 1.
Uh, and I think it's rather a lovely ritual, don't you think? Um, so if it's like a memorial ritual, what you're doing is you are, uh, recognizing, affirming, memorializing the dead by planting life.
Yes, and also perhaps a recognition that the ones you love are still living, if you are an elf, but it is their fëa that has gone to Valinor, and so they're no longer present in your current embodiment, if you will, or whatever.
Do you think they only plant them for elves, or would there be a case maybe, I'm just speculating, I don't have an answer, uh-
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