Theories often circulate around The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and one puts one of the series’ best friendships at risk. The show has been gradually revealing that some of its original characters are actually characters from J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. This is possible as many Tolkien characters are unnamed, going by title only, allowing the show to introduce named characters who don’t yet possess the title that they will come to embody in Lord of the Rings. Examples of famous Tolkien characters with a title and no name include the Witch-king of Angmar or the King of the Dead.

The show could have already introduced Tolkien’s character, the King of the Dead, as an original character. Most might remember the King of the Dead as the green ghost in Peter Jackson’s third LotR movie, The Return of the King. As a rather decayed, corpse-like ghost in the Third Age, the King of the Dead was notably more alive in Middle-earth’s Second Age, which Rings of Power focuses on. But if the King of the Dead is the Rings of Power character that he seems to be, that would have tragic consequences for his new friend.

Isildur & Theo’s Friendship In The Rings Of Power Supports A Clever King Of The Dead Theory

Isildur & Theo’s Friendship May Experience Difficulty

One of the best theories about The Rings of Power season 2 is that Theo will become the King of the Dead, and will therefore first ally with and then betray Isildur. There is evidence both for and against Theo being the King of the Dead, and his friendship with Isildur is among the evidence for this theory. The King of the Dead and his people were originally known as the Men of the Mountains, and they swore allegiance to Isildur after he founded Gondor. Theo’s blossoming respect for Isildur suggests that he is heading in this direction.

The King of the Dead’s people were from the White Mountains. Theo is currently in Pelargir, not the White Mountains, somewhat discrediting the popular Theo Theory. However, the Men of the Mountains worshipped Sauron during his Second Age rise and Theo is defacto leader of the dark-leaning Southlanders since his mother’s passing. The Southlanders could pass for being these Sauron-worshipping folk, in the show’s logic. That would leave Theo only to lead his people to the White Mountains and then swear allegiance to Isildur to become the King of the Dead. As per the lore, he would then betray Isildur.

The Rings Of Power Season 2 Could Make The King Of The Dead’s Betrayal Much Sadder

Rings Of Power Could Be Linking Theo & Isildur Only To Tear Them Apart

If Theo does turn out to be the King of the Dead, then his friendship with Isildur over Rings of Power season 2 will have made his eventual fate much sadder. It was a delight to watch Theo and Isildur bond throughout season 2, and they have the potential to heal each other’s deep-rooted trauma. Theo’s father was absent, he lost his mother, and he rejects his father figure, Arondir. Meanwhile, Isildur lost his mother and has a fractured relationship with his father. Both characters need guidance and a male anchor in their lives, potentially precipitating a doomed friendship.

If the theory pans out, the show is setting up a tragic personal conflict at the heart of the King of the Dead’s betrayal. It would not be the first time that the show has used this tactic to drive drama deeper into the heart of Tolkien’s established lore. The show teased a Galadriel-Sauron romance to dramatize the conflict between the two that occurs canonically well into the Third Age. The Oathbreaker’s betrayal in the books and movies was epic but not emotional or personal, so the show would be upping the stakes on it by making Theo King of the Dead.

This Theo Theory Makes Aragorn’s Lord Of The Rings Story More Satisfying If True

Theo As King Of The Dead Would Make Aragorn’s Arc In LOTR Better

Theo being the King of the Dead would enrich further reading and viewing of the movies by deepening the emotional relevance of the King of the Dead’s redemption. In Tolkien’s lore, the Men of the Mountains turned from Sauron to swear allegiance to Isildur. However, when Isildur called on them to help him fight Sauron at the end of the Second Age, they did not come. Isildur cursed the Men of the Mountains to unrest until they fulfilled their oath, and they dwindled to wraiths haunting the mountains.

Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn may return in the upcoming 2026 Warner Bros. movie The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.

In The Return of the King, Aragorn, being aware of this history, called on the King of the Dead and his army to finally fulfill their ancient oath. He needed help in the Battle of Pelennor. Although Rings of Power’s original material doesn’t change Tolkien’s canon in any way, it is satisfying to think of Theo finally getting the chance to redeem himself. If Theo becomes King of the Dead, he will have waited for years for the chance for him and his people to break free from their curse.

Theo, as the King of the Dead, fighting for Aragorn in the Third Age, falls tragically short of following through on his oath to Isildur in the Second Age…

Although Theo’s friend, Isildur, would long have passed, Theo could at least offer his services to Isildur’s descendant, Aragorn. Theo, as the King of the Dead, fighting for Aragorn in the Third Age, falls tragically short of following through on his oath to Isildur in the Second Age, which would have confirmed their friendship. But, it would be Theo’s last glimmer of hope in a cursed and miserable existence. And, it would be Theo’s eventual, hard-won redemption, and the completion of his Isildur friendship arc in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.