As a long-time Tolkien enthusiast who has spent countless hours delving into the intricacies of Middle-earth, I must say, the identity of this Dark Wizard is shrouded in mystery, much like the shadows of Mordor itself. While it’s tempting to think that he could be Saruman or one of the Blue Wizards, given their propensity for mischief and deceit, I find myself leaning towards a wildcard.
Hey there! Just a heads up, this piece contains significant spoilers from the final episode of “The Rings of Power” Season 2. Proceed with caution if you don’t want to know what happens at the end.
After a long wait of two years, “The Rings of Power” Season 2 has finally arrived in its entirety. The series concluded on Thursday, October 3, and in its final moments, one of the biggest revelations yet was unveiled: the identity of the mysterious Stranger. Here it is: The enigmatic figure is none other than Gandalf.
In summary, at the end of the episode, Daniel Weyman’s character, The Stranger, is appreciated by the remnants of the destroyed and displaced Stoor community for shielding numerous members from the mischievous actions of Ciarán Hinds’ Dark Wizard. Towards the end, some of them call him a “great Elf,” a nickname they had given him earlier in the season. Later, when The Stranger goes back to Tom Bombadil’s (Rory Kinnear) residence, J.R.R. Tolkien’s mysterious character persuades him to reveal his Istar name. This results in a scene where we focus on the Wizard’s face as he combines the words “great Elf” into “Gandalf.
In the end, instead of making the unnamed Wizard one of Tolkien’s enigmatic Blue Wizards, as some had speculated, the creators, J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, chose to reveal a character that Middle-earth enthusiasts are well acquainted with. Back in May, Looper predicted this very outcome when they stated that Bombadil’s appearance shed light on Season 1’s major mystery – the identity of the Stranger was Gandalf. Now, with the finale confirming our suspicions, there can be no doubt about it; this character is indeed Gandalf. Let us examine the implications.
Rings of Power: Every hint about the Stranger’s Lord of the Rings identity
Upon examining all the clues carefully, it becomes evident that there were numerous instances in the series suggesting Weyman’s Wizard character might resemble Gandalf. This began as early as Season 1, when he arrived in Middle-earth by himself, a trait typically associated with the Blue Wizards. In the Season 1 finale, The Stranger subtly hinted at his identity when he advised Nori, “When unsure, Elanor Brandyfoot, trust your sense of smell.
Season 2 swiftly fueled speculation without much delay. In episode 4, the Stoor leader Gundabad (played by Tanya Moodie) first used the term “grand Elf”. In this same episode, Bombadil also shared with him, “Great feats are destined for those they were meant for,” a reference to The Rings of Power that echoes Gandalf’s words to Frodo in “The Lord of the Rings”.
At a different phase of the series, Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and Poppy (Megan Richards) join the Wizard on his quest for a staff, which they also call a “gand”. The fact that this character is socializing with Halflings is reminiscent of Gandalf’s actions. In “The Fellowship of the Ring”, Gandalf (Ian McKellen) shares with Frodo (Elijah Wood), “As for me, among the Wise, I am the only one who delves into hobbit-lore: an uncommon field of study yet rich in unexpected discoveries.
Clues abound wherever you turn your gaze. To be frank, it had become quite noticeable that if this mysterious figure wasn’t Gandalf himself, it would have been rather uncomfortable explaining the numerous resemblances between a local wizard and a distant Grey Wizard from across the globe.
The Stranger in Rings of Power’s Season 2 finale & what it means
In the Season 2 finale, The Stranger doesn’t merely disclose his identity. Instead, he encounters the Dark Wizard, demonstrating his magic abilities in the process. He single-handedly halts a tumultuous avalanche of stones and rescues his companions who resemble future Hobbits. However, this is only the start of his journey – his heartfelt farewell to Nori marks the beginning of that adventure.
As I stand before you, dear Nori, our differences become strikingly apparent, a fact I can’t help but acknowledge. Yet, you challenge this notion, asserting we share more similarities than not. However, in the grand scheme of things, it’s undeniable that we are distinct entities.
At present, Gandalf appears to be roaming freely in a revised tale without any obvious direction or sequence as we know it from the original sources. In those stories, the Wizard isn’t introduced until a millennium into the Third Age. Interestingly, during “The Lord of the Rings,” he mentions avoiding the East, but in this show, he’s there instead.
It’s possible to explain these away. Maybe he doesn’t go to the region of Rhûn later in Middle-earth history because he had a bad experience in the past or his job there is already complete. As far as timing goes, it’s also worth pointing out that “The Rings of Power” showrunners and writers have not been afraid to change the Tolkien timeline. They’ve rearranged events, condensed stories, and pulled characters forward to integrate them into things that took place earlier in J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings. That said, maybe we’re just going to have Gandalf involved in the Second Age regardless of what the author originally intended — but we’re hoping there’s still at least some explanation for the shift when Season 3 rolls around.
Rings of Power sets up an even stranger tease – Who is the Dark Wizard?
Regardless of how “The Rings of Power” chooses to integrate Gandalf into the Second Age, one thing is clear: he doesn’t have one enemy but two. Sauron is the big cheese, but he’s half a world away, duping Elves into forging Rings of Power. Right now, Gandalf’s biggest threat is the fearsome rogue Istar that he briefly faced at the end of Season 2. In the finale, he stops the Dark Wizard’s indirect attack on his friends, but the two don’t actually come to blows. That is clearly being saved for a later date. The question is, who is this Dark Wizard in the first place?
In this particular section, Gandalf isn’t present as depicted in our source material, so we can’t strictly adhere to the books. Nevertheless, it’s important to mention that J.R.R. Tolkien penned an alternative account where his Blue Wizards corrupted like Saruman and secretly led cults in the East. Therefore, could the Dark Wizard be a Blue Wizard? It’s certainly a possibility.
To summarize, the Two Blues, also known as Blue Wizards, are often seen together and have been seen only once opposing Gandalf so far. The book “Unfinished Tales” provides an essential detail that the Blue Wizards traveled east with Saruman, but they never returned. You may be curious about who Curunír is; he’s actually Saruman. Although Saruman went to the East with the Blue Wizards at one point, he came back alone. Consequently, the Dark Wizard could potentially be either a Blue Wizard or Saruman. Moreover, it’s worth noting that the exact number of Istar (Wizards) in Middle-earth is unclear, though there are five main Wizards. Therefore, theoretically, the Dark Wizard might be another Wizard. If pressed to make a guess, we would wager on either a Blue Wizard or Saruman.
Where could Rings of Power Season 3 go from here?
In essence, the central plot of “The Rings of Power” is clear so far: Sauron has crafted the Rings of Power and intends to forge another ring to dominate them all. He will launch attacks against Elves and their allies, culminating in the destruction of Númenor. However, his reign will eventually be brought to an end by the combined forces of the Last Alliance, a battle we have glimpsed in the opening scene of Peter Jackson’s trilogy when Isildur (Harry Sinclair) severs the One Ring from Sauron’s grasp.
However, let’s consider the plot involving Gandalf. At present, he’s wandering the deserts of Rhûn, a location that deviates from his usual storyline and places him quite distant from those who rely on him greatly. As for what transpires next within Rhûn, it remains uncertain; however, there are several plausible paths the narrative could take.
Initially, there’s Nori. It seems quite possible that she could guide the wandering Stoors back to the Harfoots. In fact, it might not be uncommon for them to cross paths with a third group of pre-Hobbits, known as the Fallohides. If this happens, the three groups could join forces and establish the Shire collectively. (Keep in mind that these events occur later in the original story, but at this stage, we’re not keeping track!)
In essence, the situation with the Stranger seems uncertain. He’s likely to confront the Dark Wizard, which could expand our exploration to Rhûn and its neighboring territories. These lands are teeming with Human tribes, as well as Dwarves, making for a diverse landscape. Many Human tribes lean towards Sauron, some going so far as to worship him. It’s possible that Gandalf might rally a resistance against the returning Dark Lord. Alternatively, he may decide to aid the Elves by returning east. Regardless, we can only eagerly anticipate the arrival of Season 3.
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2024-10-03 16:30