**Spoiler Warning** Rings of Power S2E5 - 'Halls of Stone

[Boromir88]

Originally Posted by Form

Pharazôn should have been Gimilkhâd. The actor is good, but this should all be backstory. Pharazân the father just doesn't click for me--part of the whole POINT of Pharazôn is that he's childless: he's the sterile end of the dynasty, as well as a usurper. He's fruitless. (To be fair: the scene did nod a bit that way about him wanting "more") --but imagine if this were Gimilkhâd and we were seeing how Pharazôn came about.

Is Gimilkhad mentioned in material that Amazon has access to? I don't think he's named in the LOTR Appendices, which would be the one place I can think of where he might be mentioned.

I think in the case of Isildur's sister, Earien, there's actual mentions of Isildur having "unnamed sisters." And obviously they can make up any number of characters to fill out the world and plot...Arondir/Theo/Bronwyn/Waldreg/Kemen...etc. But in the case of Gimilkhad, I don't think they can use that name, not being specifically mentioned in material they have the rights to. And they can't make up a different name for Pharazon's dad, because that would contradict established canon. I don't know how those copyright laws end up working though.

My current prediction is Pharazon will end up marrying Miriel to ultimately try to legitimize his rule and have some type of feigned peace between the Faithful and the King's Men, until Sauron swoops in and blows it all open. But they're weaving the seeds of Numenorean civil war that Sauron will ultimately exploit.

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by Boromir88

Is Gimilkhad mentioned in material that Amazon has access to? I don't think he's named in the LOTR Appendices, which would be the one place I can think of where he might be mentioned.

Ugh... that is it is, isn't it? (I just checked and, yup, Ar-Pharazôn is named as Tar-Minastír's nephew, but Gimilkhâd isn't named in either Appendix A or B).

Still, what if he was just "Uncle" to Míriel and "Father" to Pharazôn? You'd have to recast the plot, of course (though I want that anyway). Alas, that I am not the Head Showrunner and chief plenitpotentiary.

[Oddwen]

Originally Posted by Form

part of the whole POINT of Pharazôn is that he's childless: he's the sterile end of the dynasty, as well as a usurper. He's fruitless. (To be fair: the scene did nod a bit that way about him wanting "more")

Originally Posted by Boro

My current prediction is Pharazon will end up marrying Miriel to ultimately try to legitimize his rule and have some type of feigned peace between the Faithful and the King's Men, until Sauron swoops in and blows it all open.

Having Sauron seduce Kemen to being a Ringwraith would also bring about a childless Pharazon.



"Nine rings were given to men, who above all else desire power" that seems to be the way the narrative is pointing at Kemen - someone who is jealous of his father and full of resentment of what is being witheld from him (his mothers' last words). Right now he desires his fathers' approval but I can see Pharazon dramatically belittling him further and driving him to the deceit of power that Sauron will inevitably promise.