Warning: spoilers ahead for The Rings of Power episode 5What causes the Stranger's black arm in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power episode 5, and how does it factor into the show's theories surrounding Sauron? Ever since the Stranger (Daniel Weyman) landed in Middle-earth in Amazon's The Rings of Power, his eerie magical abilities have been obvious. Aside from casting powerful gusts of wind, the Meteor Man accidentally broke Nori's father's foot, and whispered instructions to fireflies who died shortly after. In The Rings of Power episode 5, the Stranger's wind repels a trio of wolves preying upon the Harfoot wanderers, but this act of heroism leaves his arm strangely blackened.
The Stranger's black arm adds weight to the widely-held theory that he's actually Sauron. In both The Lord of the Rings and Unfinished Tales, J.R.R. Tolkien describes Sauron as having a blackened hand, implicitly caused by the natural, magical heat that his physical body emits. The Stranger's hand turning black after wielding magic in The Rings of Power may prove he and Sauron are one and the same. That prospect begins looking even more likely when the Stranger uses ice to cure the dark injury. If Sauron's skin would turn black because of magical heat, it stands to reason that magical ice would be the remedy.
Is The Stranger Using Dark Magic In The Rings Of Power?
The Rings of Power episode 5 also supports theories that the Stranger has unknowingly been using dark magic since he first made landfall. After his frantic stick-waving broke Largo Brandyfoot's ankle and the fireflies he whispered to all perished, many have pondered whether the magic Meteor Man carries is of the dark variety. J.R.R. Tolkien never defines good and bad magic in such clear terms, but he leaves no doubt that the sorcery practiced by villains such as Morgoth, Sauron and the Witch-king of Angmar is a more sinister brand than someone of Gandalf's ilk would employ. Tolkien also never specifies that casting dark magic blackens the user's hand, but this supposed telltale sign of evil spell users can be commonly found throughout occult folklore, and might've been adopted by The Rings of Power.
The Stranger practicing dark magic would all but confirm he's a villain of some variety, quashing any theories connecting him to Gandalf, the Valar, other wizards, or any force of good from Tolkien's legendarium.
How The Stranger's Black Arm Connects To The White-Robed Group
The Rings of Power episode 5 finally introduces the three mysterious white-robed characters seen in trailer footage, and their names are confirmed as the Dweller, the Nomad, and the Ascetic. The trio debuts while lurking around the site Meteor Man crashed, and a close-up of Bridie Sisson's Dweller reveals ashen-black fingers - markings almost identical to those on the Stranger's arm. This subtle visual detail would seem to confirm the white-robed trio are in league with whoever fell from the sky - most likely devout followers who practice dark arts in his name (whatever that may be).
The Stranger's first reaction to getting a blackened arm is panicking, before slapping some ice on the injury to heal himself. The Dweller has apparently made no such attempt to cure her black fingers, suggesting she's content to let the hallmarks of evil spread freely. These conflicting attitudes speak to how life among the Harfoots has brought out Meteor Man's softer side - to the point he even shows remorse for the dead fireflies. The Rings of Power raises a vital question: when the Stranger remembers his true identity, will he immediately discard the kindness Nori showed, or has he forever been changed by her friendship?
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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power continues Thursday/Friday on Prime Video.