Ever since his appearance in the premiere of Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin) has been a topic of heated debate, with many fans wondering why a character not appearing in Tolkien’s lore would play such a seemingly important role in the series. Throughout his story arc, different theories about Theo’s future have appeared, with the credibility of many deteriorating as his character slowly evolved throughout the show’s progression.

After Theo discovered the mysterious sword hilt linked to the Dark Lord (Charlie Vickers), fans speculated that he had an important connection to Sauron. Throughout his journey, fans have conjectured that this link to Sauron foretells Theo becoming a Nazgûl (possibly the Witch-king of Angmar) or the Mouth of Sauron. Once Theo interacted with Isildur (Maxim Baldry), fans wondered if he could become the founder of Rohan or even the King of the Dead. After Rings of Power season 2’s ending, one theory stands out: Theo will most likely become The King of the Dead.

What The Lord Of The Rings Reveals About The King Of The Dead

He Ruled Over The Men Of The Mountain & Was Cursed By Isildur

Many fans will remember the King of the Dead’s (Paul Norell) appearance in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, which found Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) seeking his aid to confront Sauron’s (Alan Howard) forces. His brief but influential appearance in The Return of the King raised questions about who Tolkien wrote this character to be. In Tolkien’s books, the King of the Dead also appeared predominantly in The Return of the King.

Tolkien revealed that the King of the Dead was once a man who ruled over the Men of the Mountain, a Pre-Númenórean people who worshiped Sauron during the Second Age.

Tolkien revealed that the King of the Dead was once a man who ruled over the Men of the Mountain, a Pre-Númenórean people who worshiped Sauron during the Second Age. Near the end of the Second Age, the Men of the Mountain swore allegiance to Isildur and Gondor. Isildur then called upon them to fulfill their oath and aid in the fight against Sauron’s growing forces. They abandoned Isildur, breaking their word. The Men of the Mountain then came to be known as the Oathbreakers, ruled by the unnamed King of the Dead — although unofficial sources designated him Rioc

After they abandoned Isildur, he cursed them, assuring they’d never rest until they fulfilled the vow previously made to him. Cursed, the Oathbreakers became wraiths, haunting the mountain Dwimorberg. The wraiths were feared by many who resided near the valley of Harrowdale. Isildur’s heir, Aragorn, then called on them to complete their oath by aiding him, which they did. After fulfilling their pledge, they departed Middle-earth to rest in peace.

Why The Rings Of Power’s Theo Could Become LOTR’s King Of The Dead

Theo’s Location & Introduction Hint At A Dark Future For Him

There are several compelling reasons to believe that Theo could become The Lord of the Rings‘ King of the Dead. Theo’s village, Tirharad, was home to Men who already worshiped Sauron, including Waldreg (Geoff Morrell), whose barn hid the Dark Lord’s hilt. After Adar (Sam Hazeldine) appeared, many of the town’s villagers swore fealty to him, some thinking he was Sauron. Tirharad’s location in what would become Mordor also strongly tied its former residents with Sauron’s domain.

Throughout The Rings of Power‘s first two seasons, Theo’s character has also fluctuated between being righteous and corrupt. The death of Theo’s mother, Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi) — who frequently reminded him to “find the light” — created a desire for battle in him. It also disconnected him from his most vital foundation for good. Theo then distanced himself from his closest source of morality, the Elven warrior Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova). Theo despised the Elves who took watch over Tirharad, but he appeared drawn to the Wildmen, most of whom who sided with Adar.

IMDB’s Highest Rated Episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Episode Number
Title
IMDB Score

S1.E6
Udûn
8.7

S2.E7
Doomed to Die
7.8

S1.E8
Alloyed
7.7

Theo also forged a relationship with Isildur (Maxim Baldry) in The Rings of Power season 2, potentially teasing a bond and then betrayal between them. The two connected over the loss of their mothers and grappled with what it meant to feel responsible for their deaths. Theo then spent considerable time with Isildur in Pelargir before the two separated.

Theo’s mysterious lineage also positions him to become a future king. Theo’s father has been kept noticeably unnamed in The Rings of Power, which leads many to believe this important detail will be unveiled later. Fans have already speculated that Theo’s father could be a member of the Southland’s long-lost royal lineage, setting Theo up to wear a crown. In season 2, Arondir also gave Theo the title “Lord of Pelargir,” which could prepare him for a greater leadership role.

How Becoming The King Of The Dead Would Fit Theo’s The Rings Of Power Arc

His Inner Conflict Could Cause Him To Turn On Isildur

Theo’s inner conflicts, location, relationships, and not-so-subtle attraction to Sauron’s dark power poise him to become the future King of the Dead. The Rings of Power has spent considerable time attempting to create a more complex and sometimes likable villain in Sauron. It’s sensible to think that the Lord of the Rings show could do the same thing with the King of the Oathbreakers.

By allowing audiences to empathize with Theo, it could create a tragic arc with complexity and nuance comparable to its depiction of the Dark Lord himself. Theo’s character is being impeccably crafted for the future betrayal of Isildur, as well as an eventual redemption through Aragorn.

Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) makes several pointed statements to Theo: “It darkens the heart to call dark deeds’ good.’ It gives place for evil to thrive inside us. Every war is fought both without and within.” Theo is conflicted within and could turn on Isildur, believing the lie that he’s doing it for the good of his long-suffering people. However, this inner conflict would also lead to his people’s eventual redemption during the War of the Ring.

Being LOTR’s King Of The Dead Makes More Sense Than Other Theo Theories

He Has Already Displayed All The Characteristics And Relationships Necessary To Realize This Path

Becoming the King of the Dead makes far more sense for Theo’s character than any of the other theories about him. Although Theo’s name sounds like Théoden’s, the King of Rohan, and his mother encounters the Simbelmynë flower that grows on the graves of Rohan’s forebearers, some specifics strongly contradict the theory. Eorl the Young was the actual name of Rohan’s founder, and he was never associated with the Southlands. Rohan came into existence in the Third Age, at least 2,500 years after the forging of the Rings of Power.

Season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power received a Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score of 84%.

Theo could come into possession of one of the Rings of Power, turning him into one of the feared Nazgûl, especially since he has the potential to be a strong warrior and leader who has encountered Sauron. However, as intriguing as this theory is, it doesn’t quite align as well as the King of the Dead theory for one prominent reason: his relationship with Isildur. The Rings of Power has expended considerable time establishing this relationship. And Theo’s connection to Pelargir, which is coupled with Gondor, hints at a future partnership.

Theo as the Mouth of Sauron is also intriguing, albeit less likely. The Mouth of Sauron was a living, evil man with a forgotten history. Additionally, the Mouth of Sauron was thought to be a Black Númenórean, something Theo is not. And despite The Rings of Power teasing a dark turn for his character, it’s hard to believe that Theo would be cunning or evil enough to embody Sauron’s emissary.

Amid the many theories that surround Theo, the one that The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is investing in most is his position as the conflicted, fallen, and eventually redeemed King of the Dead.

Amid the many theories that surround Theo, the one that The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is investing in most is his position as the conflicted, fallen, and eventually redeemed King of the Dead. Theo has already displayed all the characteristics and relationships necessary to realize this path, and his constant internal struggles are consistent with it.