Center-earth could also be crawling with orcs, Balrogs, and Darkish Wizards, however the worst villain in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Energy is none apart from Kemen (Leon Wadham).
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Kemen was a considerably minor presence all through The Rings of Energy Season 1, albeit an unmistakably slimy one. As a rising politician, he labored along with his father Ar-Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle) behind the scenes to show the individuals of Númenor towards Queen Tar-Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson). He even tried his hand at some sneaky arson to be able to cease the Númenorean forces going to Center-earth.
However now that Pharazôn is king, Kemen is ready to function within the open, with all of the authority of Númenor behind him. That type of unchecked energy results in some critically nasty, entitled habits. In simply the fifth episode of Season 2, Kemen goes on fairly the evil tear, cementing himself as one of many greatest threats to Center-earth — and essentially the most punchable character within the collection.
Kemen’s reign of terror begins with a activity from his father: Strip the members of the Sea Guard of their ranks. That features Captain Elendil (Lloyd Owen), whose loyalty to Míriel and faithfulness to the Valar represent as treason in Kemen’s eyes.
As Elendil fingers in his sword, his former sailors salute him in an “O Captain! My Captain!” second straight out of Useless Poets Society. In fact, Kemen interrupts the proceedings with the snotty remark, “He’s nobody’s captain now.” Shut up, man! Is not it sufficient you have turned Elendil’s daughter Eärien (Ema Horvath) towards him? Depart the bratty remarks at dwelling!
Mashable High Tales
Leon Wadham and Trystan Gravelle in “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.”
Credit score: Ross Ferguson / Prime Video
Kemen solely will get worse because the episode goes on, waltzing into the oldest shrine to the Valar in Númenor and breaking apart a memorial service for the troopers who died in Center-earth. Hey, wasn’t one of many greatest causes individuals hated Míriel as a result of she let troopers go to Center-earth within the first place? The hypocrisy is off the charts! The least you might do is let individuals grieve these losses in peace earlier than you begin condemning their shrines.
However Kemen is not into doing the least evil. He is right here to do absolutely the most, whether or not that is pettily smashing a Valar relic, poking at Elendil’s strained relationship with Eärien, or smirking like there isn’t any tomorrow. Critical props to Wadham for promoting Kemen’s infuriating self-satisfaction so arduous. He in some way manages to make a seemingly innocuous assertion like “It’s in the way of the new aqueduct” essentially the most enraging line in all the present.
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Fortunately, Elendil will need to have heard my pleas for somebody to haul again and punch Kemen within the face, as a result of the legend smacks the dwelling daylights out of him. Bear in mind when Tyrion slapped Joffrey in Sport of Thrones? Yeah, I felt the very same ranges of hype right here.
The following brawl does not finish properly for Elendil’s males, however I would be mendacity if I mentioned it did not rock to see Kemen get completely bodied by former Sea Guard member Valandil (Alex Tarrant), although he is in the end too honorable to complete Kemen off. However you understand who does not have any downside being dishonorable? That is proper, Kemen. Númenor’s greatest twerp stabs Valandil within the again, and similar to that, I would like him to get decked within the face once more. Too dangerous Elendil’s being thrown in jail; in any other case I know he’d observe via.
Kemen’s rage-inducing habits all through this episode isn’t solely proof of him being an all-around dangerous man — it is also proof of the corruption of Númenor, and the Males who stay there. No surprise this episode additionally focuses on Sauron’s (Charlie Vickers) efforts to persuade Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) to make Rings of Energy for Males. He is aware of that individuals like Kemen exist, and that they’d do something for energy.
Really, if Kemen ever involves Center-earth, he is a major candidate for one of many 9 rings for Males. Lord of the Rings followers know the way that may end up: with final corruption, and transformation right into a Ringwraith. In keeping with Pharazôn, Kemen’s late mom did prophesy that he would come to an “ill end,” and I would say turning into a Nazgûl falls underneath that umbrella. (Getting punched once more would additionally qualify, and it might be greater than welcome!)
