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The following contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 1, Episode 4 "The Great Wave," which is streaming on Prime Video.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is preparing fans for the fall of Númenór. But while the great wave may not be coming yet, a far greater threat is already on the kingdom's shores. Politicians, specifically Pharazôn, will start to bring Númenór down long before the wave ever crests near the island. He is turning the people against the Elves and the Queen Regent to bring them under his power. His schemes, with the help of Sauron in Annatar form, will destroy everything about Númenór.

The Rings of Power is exploring many different cultures and aspects of Middle-earth in the Second Age. Númenór played a huge part in the history of Middle-earth, but it was brought down by power hungry people. The formerly great civilization was reduced to nothing, forcing its few survivors to build new kingdoms. The Rings of Power is bringing the threat of Pharazôn and his political ideals to the small screen. His influence over the people and Annatar's influence over him will doom Númenór and add another layer of intrigue to the show.

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The politics of Númenór are divided into two different parties. There are the Faithful -- the people who still support the Elves and believe in the older ways of Númenór. Then there are the people who believe in the new age of Númenór -- the fearmongers who think the Elves will destroy them and steal their jobs. In the middle of these two groups is the Queen Regent Miriel. Her father supported the Elves, yet Pharazôn has the support of the people. They think that his interests are what is best for Númenór. But Pharazôn is nothing more than a greedy politician, willing to sell out all his ideals for an ounce more power.

Elendil is the opposite of Pharazôn. He supports the Elves and wants to truly see Númenór be great, but lacks the power or influence to make change. The Queen wants to change Númenór, to reintegrate with Middle-earth and work alongside the Elves, but she is worried that the people will turn against her and put someone else in charge. That is what Pharazôn is betting on. He is cozying up to the Queen, while also undermining her in the streets -- a true example of villainy.

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The politics of Númenór are delicate and Pharazôn is looking to widen the gaps forming between the citizens or Númenór and their rulers. His speech on the streets to the guild members in "The Great Wave" is extremely clever. He openly supports the Queen, while at the same time telling the people that he will protect them. He increases their nervousness by calming them. He encourages their fears by validating them. He is stoking the fires of rebellion without becoming a traitor himself. The dissension that he is causing will destroy the people's spirit and sense of community.

The island nation of Númenór has experienced years of prosperity and success, but it's coming to an end. The great wave is coming for them soon; the Queen's premonitions and the falling of the leaves of the White Tree show the end is near. But that end is being sped along by people like Pharazôn. His political games hasten the end of the nation by dividing the people when they should be coming together.

Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power streams Fridays on Prime Video.