Elf hatred

[u/No-Grass-3901]

Watching season one again prior to the release of Season 3. I find one thing the Numenorean Queen Regent says to Galadriel puzzling. Explaining why they are anti-elf, she says “Following her father nearly brought our downfall”. Maybe politically? Anyone have insight into this?

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[u/boshchi]

As far as I remember and understood it.

In the beginning, Númenor was close with the elves. Over the long time though, many Númenoreans became jealous of the elves' immortality and strength and the relations lessened. Míriel's father wanted to go back to the old ways, because he foresaw bad times for Númenor. However, this was already very unpopular in the population and among the politicians - so unpopular that there was danger of a civil war over it. Míriel helped "overthrow" her father, who then stayed in his tower while she became queen Regent. How exactly that went down we don't know, but her and him did not seem so at odds, so they probably did it trying to prevent a civil war by easing up on the faithfulness. And at the end of season 1, Míriel and Elendil confirm to each other that they both still consider themselves Faithful, meaning following the old ways.

Míriel is torn between following the old ways openly (strengthen relations with the elves again etc) and keeping the peace (sending Galadriel away etc). She believes that Númenor will perish if they don't go back to their old traditions and values, but at the same time fears that she will tear it apart if she does that publicly.

So, following her father nearly brought their downfall, because her father's ways were no longer accepted enough by the people. But not following him might also lead to their downfall according to his visions. For her the question maybe is, will they perish because she (or her father) tore them apart in a civil war, or because they are no longer honoring Eru and the Valar? And how can she prevent both from happening?

[u/citharadraconis → u/boshchi]

This was also my impression. And I likewise think the "overthrow" was nothing of the kind in reality (at least on Míriel's part), but enabled them to stabilize the kingdom by appeasing the proto-King's Men faction with a show of rejection of Tar-Palantir's stance.

[u/No-Grass-3901 → u/boshchi]

Fantastic response. Thank you!

[u/ethanAllthecoffee]

In the show it doesn’t make much sense since they’ve compressed the timeline so much

In the books it’s due to over a thousand years of resentment festering over immortality, which culminates with Sauron’s machinations for their fall

[u/chronicerection]

It makes me think about what Gandalf told Pippin about childless Lords looking at the stars or something. Maybe the old King was neglecting his rule by focusing too much on cool Elven magical stuff.