One reoccurring character in The Rings of Power who carries nearly as much mystery as Sauron (Charlie Vickers) and Gandalf (Daniel Weyman) before their identities were revealed is Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin). The Rings of Power continues to explore Theo as he discovers a strange sword, loses his mother, and interacts with characters as integral as Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova), Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), and Isildur (Maxim Baldry). Fan speculation posits 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 hint at Theo’s future role in the fate of Middle-earth. Among all the speculation behind the Rohan and Nazgûl theories, The Rings of Power provides more evidence for one of these fates over the other.
Theo Is A Future Nazgûl: The Rings Of Power Theory Explained
One popular theory about Theo is that he is a future Nazgûl. The Nazgûl were nine influential men (kings, sorcerers, and warriors), each given a Ring of Power by Sauron, and who, after achieving great strength and reputation, eventually fell to the corruption of the rings. The once powerful 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 is immediately shown as someone drawn to power, specifically Sauron’s power.
Theo’s character progressively fulfills several requirements leading 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 frequently 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 that constant reminder. After his mother’s death, Theo continually struggles with his failure to protect her and his village, Tirharad.
Leadership is thrust upon Theo by himself and those he is surrounded by. Bronwyn functioned as Tirharad’s healer and seemed to function as a village leader. Once she passed away, Theo would logically feel obligated to replace her. In the season 2 finale, Arondir gives the title of “Lord of Pelargir” to Theo. These small realizations of power and Theo’s draw to becoming a soldier position him to be a strong leader and warrior capable of becoming a target by one of the Rings of Power.
Theo’s connection to locations central to the conflict with Sauron also makes him a strong Nazgûl candidate. Tirharad, in the Southlands, actively begins the transformation into central Mordor, an alteration that extends beyond the land to its people. In the Rings of Power season 2 finale, the last location Theo is seen in is Pelargir, which comes under the direct rule of Númenor. Three of the Nazgûl were said to be Númenóreans, a title that could be claimed by someone declared “Lord of Pelargir.”
There is also a specific moment in season 1, episode 7, where Theo hands Galadriel her sword, only to have her gift it to him. Sauron, disguised as Halbrand, looks toward Theo before lifting his gaze, allowing fans to theorize that he has taken notice of the young man.
Theo faces many pressures that would lead someone to seek power. He desires to redeem himself from the role he played in the destruction of Tirharad and the death of his mother. His burden to lead and protect only grows with the title handed 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 could very well obtain a ring and lead those around him to prosperity before eventually succumbing to Sauron’s dark power as a Nazgûl.
Theo Is The Future Founder Of Rohan: The Rings Of Power Theory Explained
Another theory The Rings of Power fans have about Theo is that he is the original founding king of Rohan. Rohan and its people, the Rohirrim, were the horse-lords 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 naming 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 could begin construction on the signal stations between Gondor and Rohan.
There is also a connection between the seeds Arondir uses to seal Theo’s mother’s wound and the flowers sprouting from the graves of the Kings of Rohan. The seeds used by Arondir to heal Bronwyn, are alfirin, also referred to as simbelmynë. It is the simbelmynë flower that blooms over the burial mounds of Rohan’s past kings.
Theo’s relationships and losses place him as the founding 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 he will grow to found a great kingdom instrumental to the fall of Sauron.
Which Of The Rings Of Power’s Theo Theories Is More Likely To Come True
Although both theories have fans’ support, one clearly garners the most evidence, aligning with the story arc being 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 (though well-intentioned) fall into the shadow realm.
The Rohan theory is fun to entertain, but there is little supporting evidence besides a subtle tie with the future 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 link between him and the Southlands, although the Northmen are often connected with his lineage.
Theo could rise as a leader and swear to aid Isildur in the oncoming battle against Sauron.
A third theory about Theo positions him as King of the Dead, also known as the Oathbreaker, who swore his people 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 could rise as a leader and swear to aid Isildur in the oncoming battle against Sauron. Theo’s constant fluctuation between light and darkness casts doubt on whether he would follow through with his oath, making it a tempting alternative storyline.
However, as interesting as the King of the Dead explanation is, it remains most likely that Theo’s arc leans toward the transition into a Nazgûl in the upcoming seasons of The Rings of Power. Throughout Theo’s painful and heartbreaking story, it seems inevitable that there will be a tragic fall into Sauron’s grasp. Given how much mystery surrounds the Nazgûl in Tolkien’s lore, such a theory coming true has the potential to answer several significant questions for the fanbase.
