The Rings of Power season 2 concludes with the destruction of Eregion, and judging by Ar-Pharazôn’s actions in the latest episodes, the Fall of Númenor isn’t far off. Pharazôn takes advantage of the anger and grief that follows the loss of Númenórean life in the Southlands, using it to turn people against Queen Míriel. It’s clear Pharazôn is vying for power throughout the Lord of the Rings show, and he succeeds at convincing the people of Númenor to follow him during its sophomore season.

However, while Pharazôn becomes Númenor’s new king early in season 2, there are a number of people who continue to oppose him. The Rings of Power season 2’s finale reveals that he has a plan to deal with that, with him flipping the script on Queen Míriel and her supporters once again. It looks like this could permanently secure him power in The Rings of Power season 3 — and this is an outcome he’s been working towards for a while. His scheming is more subtle in season 1, but Pharazôn’s plans start to form a clear picture in season 2.

Pharazôn Sowed Seeds Of Doubt Against The Faithful During The Rings Of Power Season 1

His Subtle Scheming Sets The Stage For His Season 2 Takeover

Pharazôn’s ploy to rule over Númenor begins in The Rings of Power season 1, but his actions are much more subtle during the show’s early episodes. It’s clear Pharazôn is interested in power, but he takes his time going after a higher title. As chancellor of Númenor, he sows seeds of doubt against the Faithful, those who remain loyal to Valinor and Eru Ilúvatar. This isn’t so difficult, as the attitudes of Númenóreans change greatly after siding with the Elves against Morgoth during the First Age. Despite their newfound dislike of Elves, Elendil brings Galadriel onto their shores.

And Míriel’s decision to make an alliance with Galadriel and Halbrand leads to unrest in Númenor, something Pharazôn is quick to take advantage of. As a high-ranking official, he’s in the perfect position to sow doubt in her decision and lay the blame at the feet of the Faithful. He does this while acting as Míriel’s advisor, but her absence as she sets sail for the Southlands greatly helps his plan succeed. It’s no wonder Pharazôn finds it so easy to dethrone her and ostracize the Faithful in The Rings of Power season 2.

Pharazôn Was Opportunistic In Becoming The Ruler Of Númenor In Season 2

He Took Advantage Of The Tragedy In The Southlands & The Eagles Appearing

 

Pharazôn is crafty throughout The Rings of Power season 1, and much of his success turning the people against Míriel stems from him being opportunistic. He can’t plan for her choices, but he’s quick to use them to his advantage. And he continues to seize opportunities like this throughout The Rings of Power season 2. The people of Númenor are already angry with their leader after the devastation that unfolds in the Southlands. The Rings of Power season 1’s ending battle causes a lot of grief, and the Númenoreans villainize Míriel while looking to Pharazôn for leadership.

Pharazôn uses this to further his goals, and he does the same with the arrival of the Great Eagle in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 3. The Great Eagles are associated with destiny in Middle-earth, and they tend to show up as messengers for important occurrences. The one in season 2 probably serves as a warning that Númenor is headed in the wrong direction. However, the people interpret it as a sign that Pharazôn is the one who should lead them, and he’s all too happy to accept this explanation.

Throughout The Rings of Power, Pharazôn is masterful at taking advantage of opportunities that arise with little work on his part.

Throughout The Rings of Power, Pharazôn is masterful at taking advantage of opportunities that arise with little work on his part. And he, of course, puts effort into earning the people’s trust, which makes it easier for them to believe he’s meant to be king. He further manipulates them after using the Palantír in episode 5, which likely factors into his accusations against Míriel later on.

Pharazôn Exploits His Palantír Vision To Accuse Míriel Of Plotting With Sauron

This Is How He Turns The Númenoreans Against Her A Second Time

Although Pharazôn exploits the opportunity to dethrone Míriel in The Rings of Power season 2, she nearly wins the people back to her side after her sea trial. She volunteers to face judgment from the Valar in Elendil’s place, and she survives coming face-to-face with a sea monster. In the eyes of Númenor, Míriel surviving the sea trial means she’s innocent — at least in the eyes of the Valar. This threatens to foil Pharazôn’s plans, but he uses his vision from the Palantír ​​​​​​​to further demonize Míriel.

It seems like this is the final nail in the coffin, pushing the people of Númenor to embrace him fully.

Pharazôn sees Sauron when he uses the Palantír, and he quickly realizes that Halbrand — the so-called king Míriel aids in season 1 — is the Dark Lord. Míriel doesn’t know this when she agrees to fight alongside him, but Pharazôn twists events to make her look like she’s in the wrong. He accuses her of working with Sauron at the end of The Rings of Power season 2. And it seems like this is the final nail in the coffin, pushing the people of Númenor to embrace him fully.

Why Pharazôn Arrests The Leaders Of The Faithful

He Accuses Them Of Working With Sauron & Covering For Míriel

Image via Prime Video

Once Pharazôn ​​​​​​​accuses Míriel of conspiring with Sauron, he’s able to implicate the Faithful in her alleged crimes. Insisting that the Valar couldn’t have deemed Míriel ​​​​​​​innocent, Pharazôn claims that the Faithful helped her rig her sea trial. He uses this as an excuse to round them up and arrest them, putting the problem of descent within Númenor​​​​​​​ to rest once and for all. It’s only thanks to Eärien that Elendil escapes this fate, but the rest of the Faithful are now viewed as criminals thanks to Pharazôn’s scheming.

Pharazôn Ultimately Wants To Invade The Undying Lands & Confront The Valar

He’s Resentful Of Their Immortality

By taking advantage of situations he doesn’t orchestrate, Pharazôn manages to obtain a great deal of power in The Rings of Power season 2. However, his conversation with Kemen in episode 5 suggests he’s setting his sights even higher. His ultimate plan appears to be invading the Undying Lands and confronting the Valar. The Rings of Power‘s second outing sets this up, and it’s something that happens in J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. Pharazôn harbors resentment towards the Valar over their immortality, and he strives to claim a piece of this for himself.

Knowing what happens to Pharazôn in Tolkien’s writings, it’s safe to say this quest won’t end well for him in The Rings of Power. The arrival of the Great Eagle already suggests that Númenor​​​​​​​ is headed down a questionable path, and Pharazôn’s choices are directly contributing to the kingdom’s demise. Picking a fight with the Valar will only make matters worse for the Númenoreans, but it seems their king’s hubris will get the best of him. On the bright side, it will give viewers the chance to see the full might of the Valar in The Rings of Power‘s future seasons.