In just the fifth episode of Season 2, Kemen goes on quite the evil tear, cementing himself as one of the biggest threats to Middle-earth — and the most punchable character in the series.

Above all, in shrewdly choosing to play a punchable character, he’s demonstrating that most unpunchable trait: self-awareness.

James Frain gets to play trouble personified. “He has a very punchable face as a bad guy because he just does, he does,” said Bassett. “A little punchable.” “There’s a possibility for ...