Who is Theo in Rings of Power

Warning: Contains minor spoilers for The Rings of Power, Season 2

One recurring character in The rings of power Carrying nearly as much mystery as Sauron (Charlie Vickers) and Gandalf (Daniel Wyman) before their identities are revealed is Theo (Tiro Muhafidin). The rings of power Theo continues to explore as he discovers a strange sword, loses his mother, and interacts with integral characters like Arondir (Ismael Cruz Cordova), Galadriel (Morphid Clarke), and Isildur (Maxim Baldry). Fan speculation says that this little known character could become a Nazgûl or the founder of Rohan.

It is unlikely that The rings of power Would spend as much time as it does with Theo unless his character has an exciting reveal. Several factors point to Theo’s future role in the fate of Middle-earth. Among all the speculation behind the Rohan and Nazgûl theories, The rings of power Gives more evidence for one of the fates than the other.

Theo is a future Nazgul: The Rings of Power theory explained

Is Theo a descendant of Númenor?

One popular theory about Theo is that he is a future Nazgul. The Nazgul are nine influential people (kings, sorcerers and warriors), each given a ring of power by Sauron, and who, after achieving great strength and fame, eventually fell to the corruption of the rings. The once mighty men were rendered invisible outside the wraith world and controlled by Sauron through the One Ring. Some fans have even claimed that Theo could be the Lord of the Nazgûl, the witch-king of Angmar.

Theo’s character progressively fulfills several requirements that lead to his possible path as one of Sauron’s Nazgûl. Theo is immediately shown as someone drawn to power, specifically Sauron’s power. Theo discovers the orc sigil hilt, which is revealed to be the key leading to the eruption of Orodruin, or Mount Doom. Theo is scarred by the sword with Sauron’s symbol, further marking him as one of Sauron’s. When Theo activates the Orc Sigil Hilt, it resembles the flaming blade wielded by the Witch-King in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings.

Theo also often grapples with the balance between light and dark. In season 1, episode 6, Theo’s mother, Bronwyn, helps to ground him by telling him to “Find the light. And the shadow will not find you.” Later, when Bronwyn succumbs to her fatal wounds, Theo is left without the constant reminder. After his mother’s death, Theo constantly struggles with his failure to protect her and his village, Tyrhrad.

Leadership is thrust upon Theo by himself and those he is surrounded by. Bronwyn functioned as Thorhard’s healer and appeared to be a village leader. Once she died, Theo would logically feel obligated to replace her. In the season 2 finale, Arondir gives the title of “Lord of Pelargir“To Theo. The small realizations of power and Theo’s pull to become a soldier set him up to be a strong leader and warrior capable of becoming a target through one of the rings of power.

Theo’s connection to locations central to the conflict with Sauron also makes him a strong Nazgul candidate. Tirharad, in the Southlands, actively begins the transformation in central Mordor, an alteration that extends beyond the land to its people. in the Rings of power Season 2 finale, the last place Theo is seen in is Pelargir, which comes under the direct rule of Númenor. Three of the Nazgûl are said to be Númenóreans, a title that could be claimed by someone declaring “Lord of Pelargir.”

There is also a specific moment in season 1, episode 7, where Theo gives Galadriel her sword, just to give her a gift to him. Sauron, disguised as Halbrand, looks at Theo before raising his gaze, allowing fans to theorize that he noticed the young man.

Theo faces many pressures that would lead someone to seek power. He wants to redeem himself from the role he played in the destruction of Thirhard and the death of his mother. His burden to lead and protect only grows with the title handed down to him by Arondir, and his deep desire to fight for what he believes in, all open him to the temptations of the rings of power. Theo may very well receive a ring and lead those around him to prosperity before eventually succumbing to Sauron’s dark power as a Nazgul.

Theo is the future founder of Rohan: The Rings of Power Theory Explained

The influence of the Southlands’ darkness

Another theory The rings of power What fans have about Theo is that he is the original founding king of Rohan. Rohan and his people, the Rohirrim, were the horsemen led by Théoden in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Fans hypothesize that the name similarities between Theo and the Seventeenth King of Rohan Théoden (not to mention Théoden’s son Théodred) hints at Theo’s role in the Rohan line, especially since Theo’s mother Bronwyn has a similar name pattern to Théoden’s niece Eowyn .

Theo’s growing relationship with Isildur, a future founder of Gondor, also points to the eventual alliance between Gondor and Rohan in the Third Age. It is possible Theo and Isildur may begin construction on the signal stations between Gondor and Rohan.

There is also a connection between the seeds that Arondir uses to seal the wound of Theo’s mother and the flowers sprouting from the tombs of the kings of Rohan. The seeds used by Arondir to heal Bronwyn are Alphyrin, also referred to as Cymbelmine. It is the Cymbelmine flower that blooms over the burial mounds of Rohan’s past kings.

Theo’s relationships and losses place him as the first king of Rohan. If Theo can forgive himself for his involvement in the destruction of the Southlands, relying on his relationship with Isildur, there is a possibility that he will grow to find a great kingdom instrumental to the fall of Sauron.

Which of the Theo theories of the rings of power is more likely to come true

Evaluating the evidence for each theory

While both theories have fan support, one clearly garners the most evidence, aligning with the story arc that was built for Theo in The rings of power. Between becoming a future Nazgûl or the founder of Rohan, the Nazgûl theory seems to be more sound. Theo’s alignment with power, the motivating drive to fight and protect, and reoccurring themes of light and darkness strongly encourage his eventual (albeit well-intentioned) fall into the shadow realm.

The Rohan theory is fun to entertain, but there is little supporting evidence other than a subtle tie to the future of Gondor, name similarities between the kings of Rohan, and some seeds that heal wounds and bloom on graves. Rohan was founded by Eorl the Young in the Third Age, thousands of years after the events in The rings of power. Nowhere in Eorl’s history is there a connection between him and the Southlands, although the Northmen are often associated with his lineage.

A third theory about Theo places him as King of the Dead, also known as the Oatbreaker, who swore his men would aid Isildur if called upon to face Sauron. The King of the Dead betrayed Isildur and he and his tribe became cursed. Eventually, the King of the Dead fulfills his old oath by aiding Aragorn in The return of the king. Theo rises as a leader and vows to aid Isildur in the oncoming battle against Sauron. Theo’s constant fluctuation between light and darkness casts doubt on whether he would follow his oath, making it a tempting alternative storyline.

However, as interesting as the explanation of the King of the Dead is, it remains most likely that Theo’s arc leads to the transition into a Nazgul in the upcoming seasons of The rings of power. Throughout Theo’s painful and heartbreaking story, it seems inevitable that he will fall tragically into Sauron’s grasp. Given how much mystery surrounds the Nazgul in Tolkien’s lore, such a theory coming true has the potential to answer some significant questions for fans.