One character in Prime Video’s The Rings of Power fulfills a very similar role to Denethor in The Return of the King, serving as a reminder of how Peter Jackson’s trilogy changed the Steward of Gondor from the books. The television prequel takes place thousands of years before The Lord of the Rings, set in the Second Age of Middle-earth. While the world is significantly different during this period, characters still fulfill similar archetypes to those in the original novels as the world falls victim to Sauron’s ascent.

The Rings of Power has received divisive responses due to its handling of Tolkien’s source material. The show condenses much of the Lord of the Rings timeline, organizing events to fit the television medium. Beyond that, there are several original characters and events that stretch beyond the confines of Tolkien’s writing. But while Peter Jackson’s film trilogy is seen as the definitive Tolkien adaptation, there are ways in which The Rings of Power nails elements of the books that the movies changed or left out. In that regard, the Númenor plot line has a lot to break down.

Ar-Pharazôn’s Rings Of Power Season 3 Narrative Will Mirror Denethor’s Book Downfall

Ar-Pharazôn & Denethor Both Suffer Their Ruin At The Hands Of Sauron’s Manipulation

Movie fans will remember Denethor as the father of Boromir and Faramir, who lit himself ablaze and ran off the wall of Minas Tirith, falling to his death. Denethor is shown to give up early in the battle, admitting defeat against Sauron as he deals with the crisis of believing he’s sent Faramir to his death. But the film leaves out a significant portion of Denethor’s downfall, which is that he’d been communing with Sauron via a Palantíri, manipulated by the Dark Lord to think victory was unobtainable and to distrust Gandalf. This almost leads to the destruction of Gondor.

Ar-Pharazôn will suffer a similar fate in Rings of Power’s future, as he’s eventually manipulated by Sauron in the Second Age. At first, Ar-Pharazôn leads his army against Sauron in Mordor, causing Sauron to surrender amicably, allowing himself to be taken prisoner on Númenor. While there, he corrupts Ar-Pharazôn further, appealing to his desire for praise and affirmation, and to his jealousy of the elves’ immortality. He convinces Ar-Pharazôn to sail his navy against Valinor, which causes the destruction of Númenor.

In the case of Gondor, the day is saved by the likes of Gandalf and Aragorn. Númenor won’t be so lucky

In both cases, there are characters who lead a powerful human civilization, placing them in natural positions of strength. But both Denethor and Ar-Pharazôn succumb to the weakness of mankind’s desire for power, allowing Sauron to manipulate them to his will. In the case of Gondor, the day is saved by the likes of Gandalf and Aragorn. Númenor won’t be so lucky, as the show has already shown the early stages of protagonists like Miriel being ostracized, leaving room for Ar-Pharazôn to become king in the first place.

Ar-Pharazôn Could Be Manipulated By Sauron Through Númenor’s Palantíri

The Trailer Showed Ar-Pharazôn Using The Palantíri

An interesting element factored into The Rings of Power that isn’t present in Tolkien’s legendarium is the Palantíri. In episode 3, this was used to highlight Míriel’s allegiance with the Valar, causing a rift between her and the people of Númenor. Ar-Pharazôn states that no true leader of Númenor would use a Palantíri, suggesting that it would betray the independence of their people. However, he doesn’t seem like the type of character who would deny power when he has the opportunity to utilize it.

The Palantíri could serve as a vessel for Ar-Pharazôn and Sauron’s relationship to form. Much like how Sauron manipulates Celebrimbor in season 2, he’ll eventually do the same with Ar-Pharazôn, making the Palantíri the perfect plot device to join their stories together, especially as Sauron has already been to Númenor and been imprisoned there in season 1. This could be a method for The Rings of Power to avoid repetition.

Why Peter Jackson’s Movies Removed Denethor’s Palantíri

The LOTR Trilogy Makes Denethor More Of A Villain

Denethor’s character is one who undergoes some of the biggest changes in the adaptation from Tolkien’s books to Peter Jackson’s films, leaving out a significant portion of his narrative. Denethor is essentially a villainous character in the movies, made to seem cruel and wicked on his own account. In Tolkien’s Return of the King, Denethor’s downfall is one of tragedy, as he falls victim to the work of Sauron.

Changing Denethor to be more of an antagonist benefits the simplification of Gondor’s power transfer at the end of the film. Leading audiences to understand the political landscape of this kingdom and the responsibilities of the Steward in the absence of the king is already a task that requires halting the movie’s pace for exposition. Making Denethor less sympathetic allows for a smoother transition to making Aragorn king, and allows Faramir to be a more engaging character. The Rings of Power’s Ar-Pharazôn could embrace more of Denethor’s book character elements.