Is that Sauron in Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power episode 4?

This is the biggest mystery of all The Lord of the Rings – The Rings of Power since the show’s first episode has been the identity of Sauron. Galadriel is relentlessly searching for this future Dark Lord of rings, which we know has the ability of shapeshifting in the period that Prime Video has set.

Some strong candidates have emerged (and some less strong) in the early episodes, but after the fourth episode of the show, “The Great Wave,” it’s time to explore a slightly more out-there theory.

Was Sauron a messed up sword?

Photo: Ben Rothstein/Prime Video

Bronwyn is Theo’s son. Theo was born as a human child and found the cursed blade in a barn. He has been fascinated by it since then. This could be the key to unlocking Theo’s secret.

This may sound unlikely considering the number of mysterious Saurons the show presents to our face, but it is possible. (Just see the title).

That sword? It is really It was all wrong. Initially just a broken hilt, it extends into a full sword when it attaches itself to Theo’s arm. It takes a toll, too — we can see the mark it has left on his arm (and the arm of a previous holder, as Theo discovers in the show’s fourth episode). The show’s interest in humans drawn to evil (as made repeatedly clear by how the elves talk about the war against Morgoth) could support this theory, although it’s unclear exactly What Theo and other people are attracted to the sword’s charms.

But let’s play this out. The sword could be described as Sauron. To retain his power and relevancy, while keeping himself out of harm’s way, he made the cursed item. Theo now has an emotional bond with the sword. He could be either an easy servant of Sauron who pushes him to accomplish whatever goal is necessary to restore the Dark Lord. But an alternative could be that the sword itself placed Sauron’s power inside Theo, gradually replacing the child with Sauron himself. Perhaps Theo could be a proof that human beings can resist the evil urges of the Elf, regardless of what they think. We’ll have to wait and see how that develops, but one thing is for sure: that’s one fucked-up sword.

You can check in with other Sauron candidates

Photo: Matt Grace/Prime Video

If you’re someone who’s still banking on Sauron being the Stranger, it was a harfoot-less (and giant-less) episode this week, so no news there.

But it was a strong week for the “Halbrand is Sauron” crowd, as he continually delivers mysteriously veiled lines that suggest he knows more than he’s letting on (and that he’s trying to manipulate Galadriel, something that became even more abundantly clear as he explained to freaking Galadriel How to manipulate people There was also the voice-over from Queen Regent Míriel that suggested evil was already around Númenor — while the camera lingered on Halbrand.

The elven orc leader Adar also had a prominent episode, telling Arondir about how much he doesn’t know about the world and managing to be charismatically menacing while doing so. It seems that he is working for Sauron. But, you never know. This show can teach Galadriel how to exert her influence from a person many years younger than her.