As a seasoned cinephile with a lifelong fascination for Middle-earth and all things Tolkien, I must confess that The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has left me both intrigued and perplexed. While it’s always exciting to see familiar names like Pharazôn grace our screens, the show’s adaptation choices have certainly stirred up a storm among fans.
This piece may reveal plot details that could be considered spoilers for Amazon’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” as well as the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien. Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid potential spoilers!
In the Amazon Prime series, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, one significant shift occurs with the character Pharazôn, as compared to his depiction in J.R.R. Tolkien’s original works. He is shown in a strikingly contrasting manner on the show.
We’ll present his tale as it unfolds in the novels, detailing his activities during season 1 and the person who brings the character to life on screen.
Read on for everything you need to know.
What was Pharazôn doing in season 1 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power?
The character’s history has undergone quite a few substantial alterations on screen compared to what’s written, going beyond just the main time difference.
As a devoted admirer, let me share my perspective: In contrast to being a formidable naval commander, as many might expect from a Númenórean, The Rings of Power portrays Pharazôn more as the shrewd chancellor of Númenor, a masterful political strategist, and a trusted confidant to Queen Regent Tar-Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson).
In the series, Pharazôn is portrayed differently compared to his literary counterpart, especially concerning his family. Unlike the character from Tolkien’s works who has no son, this version features Kemen (played by Leon Wadham) as his offspring.
In the initial season of The Rings of Power, Pharazôn stands out intriguingly. This is largely due to his strategic positioning not in the foreground but rather maneuvering from various angles. He skillfully conceals his genuine intentions and plans, leaving those around him, as well as the audience, guessing.
In the third episode, named “Adar,” is where we initially encounter him. Here, Galadriel and Halbrand make their appearance before Queen Regent Míriel’s royal court in the grand city of Armenelos, which serves as the capital of Númenor.
As he accompanied Galadriel on a voyage to assist the folk of the Southern lands, Pharazôn secretly pursued his personal ambition of accumulating increasing power within Númenor.
He reaffirms his position to the anti-Elvish guildworkers on Númenor in populist, pro-human speech – all with a clear veneer of gathering support should any power struggle arise.
It appears that the power contest will continue into season 2, since the Númenórean storyline in season 1 concluded with the demise of King Tar-Palantir, the father of Míriel, in the final episode.
Who is Pharazôn in Tolkien’s original work?
Opinions about Pharazôn among Tolkien’s fans can differ significantly. While some perceive him as an emblem of profound sorrow, others consider him a ruler whose arrogance led to the downfall of his people and the ruin of his kingdom.
Pharazôn was born to Gimilkhâd, head of the King’s Men faction – a group that advocated for human supremacy over friendships with Elves in Númenor. As he matured, he adopted the characteristics and ideologies of his father.
Eager for renown and riches, I, Pharazôn, found myself drawn time and again to the battlefield, joining forces with like-minded Númenóreans. Our shared ambition was to seize the western shores of Middle-earth and the men who dwelt there.
A significant departure from the source material occurs in the adaptation, where King Tar-Palantir of Númenor passes away. In contrast to his wishes and the traditional practices of Númenor, Pharazôn forces a marriage with Tar-Míriel, thereby asserting his power and ruling the kingdom himself.
As the ruler of Númenor, Pharazôn eventually gets swayed by Sauron’s manipulations to launch an attack on Mordor. Sauron skillfully plays with Pharazôn’s pride and ego, ultimately becoming one of his most trusted advisors.
Under Sauron’s persuasion, Pharazôn and numerous Númenóreans, enamored by his promises, start venerating the malevolent entity known as Morgoth, believing they will attain everlasting life through their devotion.
As a cinephile immersed in the lore of Middle-earth, I can’t help but recount the tragic events that unfolded: The construction of Morgoth’s Temple and the devastating blaze that consumed the sacred White Tree of Númenor were not isolated incidents. They were accompanied by brutal sacrifices, a chilling display of power against those who dared to question or reject the ruling order, including innocent non-believers and steadfast supporters of Elvish alliance – the Faithful, a faction of Númenóreans who valued friendship with the Elves.
Ultimately, Sauron manages to persuade Pharazôn to initiate an assault on Valinor. This action caused the Valar to appeal to Eru (the equivalent of God). As a result, Eru sank Pharazôn’s navy and the entire island of Númenor in what became known as the Cataclysm or the Downfall of Númenor.
Who plays the character in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power?
Pharazôn is portrayed in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power by Welsh actor Trystan Gravelle.
On various programs including A Discovery of Witches, The Terror, and the upcoming adaptation of Great Expectations in 2023, Gravelle has made appearances.
In a 2022 conversation with ScreenRant, Gravelle shared his excitement about joining the world created by Tolkien, expressing that he first became acquainted with it in 2001 through the film adaptation of “The Fellowship of the Ring,” which launched the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
First, I read “The Hobbit” book, followed by watching all three movies as they were released. After that, I read “The Lord of the Rings” books and then watched the “The Hobbit” movie.
“So yes, I approached this as a fan.”
“Starting from the 29th of August, you can stream The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. If you’re not already a member, take advantage of a 30-day free trial to join now!”
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2024-08-29 10:35