Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’s Sauron may actually be Halbrand

Alright, let’s play: The Lord of the Rings – The Rings of Power’s Sauron might really be Halbrand (Charlie Vickers) and it might sorta be a missed opportunity if he isn’t. The thought occurred to the Polygon crew during his first scene — wouldn’t it just be Interesting if the sole human to survive alongside Galadriel, who pulled her from the Sundering Seas, was Sauron, the big bad she’s been hunting for years and the scourge of (future) Middle-earth?

Though it’s not a theory that consumes us, or even necessarily one that we’ve put much stock into, it has continued to color every scene with him in it. There’s still the outstanding character no one knows much about who looks nefarious in the trailer, and it may not exactly align with the extended lore, what with Galadriel theoretically being able to sense Sauron. But… there’s a vibe. The charged moment they shared with each other using the dagger may have been (sorry, I’m sorry) a double-edged blade and an indication of his evil nature. Here is the evidence we’ve amassed so far, from context clues to Tolkien lore:

• He is a brutal warrior, as demonstrated in the alley scene from episode 3, and doesn’t seem to have many qualms about hurting those around him.
• Halbrand is a unique character The Rings of Power, and it’s clear from episode 3 that the production has Some kind of plan for him and he’s not just a character for Galadriel to deliver exposition to. But we don’t think there’s really much to this theory, though it is pretty funny.
• It would just be neat, narratively, if everything Halbrand says wasn’t a lieIt was true that he did, however, this is only half the truth. For instance, when he says shit like “I am not the hero you seek” — c’mon!
• His backstory, however, is quite unique. AndIt is not related to any other canon. Despite the name “The Southlands” sounding like the Southrons, judging by where they are on the show map, they’re not really south at all, but in the far east, beyond Mordor. Tolkien did not illuminate the culture of anyone from that region. (We know a few things about Rhûn, but as you can see, that region is quite a ways northeast of Mordor.) We don’t know of any kings from that region, or even monarchies or systems of government. Huh.
• It would make a great prequel scene to show how Galadriel encourages Sauron unwittingly to become Sauron. That kind of dramatic irony is always the most delicious when it’s done well. Especially when she’s been ferociously combing the world for him and he decides to just hide in plain sight. We know that the Sauron of this era was called “fair” (meaning pale, but also pretty); while Halbrand may or may not fit the bill for this one, he is at the very least cunning and astute. These are exactly the traits that someone needs to have in order to convince a lot of people to make rings.

Photo: Matt Grace/Prime Video

• He is interested in a career as a smith, but that’s not all.
• Frankly, The Rings of PowerIt is too dependent on obvious mystery boxes. We believe that subterfugees which feel as if they are pulling the rug out of someone’s eyes would work well.
• He convinces Galadriel to chill out and stay in Númenor…
• When he gave Galadriel a dagger it’s a moment that bonds them, and it’s something that could potentially save her neck in Númenor. Then again, it’s also just giving her the potential to wreak havoc. And so far, even when it looks like he’s helping the situation, Halbrand seems to be at bestHe is the worst chaos agent and he will be out for him.
• The only snag is that this would be a big departure from how Tolkien frames Sauron’s post-war with Morgoth reappearance, where he disguised himself as an emissary of the Valar called “Annatar.” And he’d have to get out of Númenor and to Middle-earth so that he can start working with Celebrimbor.
• The very first line of the show — “Nothing is evil in the beginning,” spoken by Galadriel — is pulled from Tolkien’s text about Sauron, who was corrupted by Morgoth. The idea of Halbrand as a simple dude, also corrupted from the evils around the world could work in his favor. It could be an herb: The Rings of Power leaning more heavily into the grayness of Middle-earth’s heroes, perhaps it’s also going to spread some of that to its villains as well.
• If the Stranger is Gandalf and not a balrog then this is going to disappoint me, and I’d very much like this show to extend an olive branch.