The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – Season 2, Episode 5: Spoilers Ahead!
Trystan Gravelle, who stars in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, has offered insights into the brewing power struggle between Pharazôn and Míriel as the second season progresses. In episode 3 of the current season, Pharazôn (portrayed by Gravelle) seizes control of Númenor from Míriel (played by Cynthia Addai-Robinson). By episode 5, he has purged her loyalists from the army, leading to the unfortunate demise of Valandil (Alex Tarrant) at the hands of Kemen (Leon Wadham), the new king’s son, during a raid on a sacred shrine.
In an interview with Screen Rant, Gravelle elaborated on how Míriel’s dissatisfaction with Pharazôn’s governance will unfold in the coming episodes. The actor suggests that Míriel will need to reconsider her beliefs in light of the coup, potentially transforming her character’s journey. Gravelle shared, “Well, I mean, I think she’s in for one hell of a time, isn’t she? Because it’s totally the opposite of the direction that I want to go in. So, there’s going to need to be a remodeling, I guess, of your vision and how you see Númenor going. It’s going to be quite bumpy for her. Because, obviously, we’re going to have to work on her, how she sees the world, and she’s not in a position right now just for her opinion to be absolute and for everybody to go along with it. So, she’s going to have to compromise a lot of her beliefs, and a lot of what she perceives as reality is going to change, I think, because of what happened, the rug pulling that happened.”
The Implications of Gravelle’s Statement on Pharazôn and Míriel
Growing Tensions in Númenor
Pharazôn’s takeover was fueled by accusations against Míriel, particularly her reliance on the Elvish palantír with her father to rule, despite widespread distrust of Elves. This set the stage for the chaos he brings to Númenor in season 2. Gravelle’s comments suggest that Míriel may avoid direct confrontation to reclaim her throne, instead hoping to restore peace to the island—a value she holds dear.
The Signs For Pharazôn's Death In The Rings Of Power Couldn't Be Clearer
Yet, the role of the Faithful, including disarmed soldiers like Elendil (Lloyd Owen) who remain loyal to Míriel, remains uncertain. The aftermath of Valandil’s death could complicate any power negotiations. Although an outright battle for control hasn’t been explicitly suggested, the tension in Númenor is palpable. Kemen’s treacherous act could ignite a significant conflict, especially if Míriel seeks to negotiate with Pharazôn. The new king’s nascent rule suggests that the Rings of Power ensemble in Númenor will face many more challenges before any resolution comes.
Analyzing the Power Struggle between Pharazôn and Míriel in Season 2
An Inevitable Clash
The escalating conflict between Pharazôn and Míriel seems poised to reach a critical juncture before the end of season 2, potentially necessitating one to step down to save Númenor. With Pharazôn’s reign sparking unrest across the kingdom, he may become a target for the Faithful, especially following Valandil’s murder. If Míriel opts to compromise, as Gravelle suggests, it could lead her to a crossroads where reclaiming power might be the only viable path to protect her people.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
- Adventure
- Fantasy
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power brings to screens the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history for the very first time. Set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, The Rings of Power will explore a time in the franchise where kingdoms rose and fell, where The One Ring itself was forged and tells the tale of the rise of the greatest foe in the Lord of the Rings Franchise, the Dark Lord Sauron. Beginning in a time of peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of familiar and new characters as they confront the long-feared reemergence of evil in Middle-earth. From the depths of the Misty Mountains to the forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the island kingdom of Númenor, to the farthest reaches of the map, The Rings of Power promises to condense the extended works of Tolkien in a condensed but all-encompassing TV show format. The first season of The Rings of Power began airing exclusively on Prime Video on September 2, 2022..
