As a die-hard fan who has spent countless hours delving into the intricate lore of Middle-earth, I must say that the revelation of The Stranger being none other than Gandalf the Grey in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power was nothing short of breathtaking. The way the show weaved together the threads of the story, leading to this momentous reveal, was a testament to the skillful storytelling of the creators.
The Rings of Power” concluded with a grand finale. The Elven city Eregion was overrun by Adar and his Orc horde, led by Sam Hazeldine, while Sauron, played by Charlie Vickers, gained control of the nine rings forged by Elven smith Celebrimbor. However, there were other significant events in Tolkien’s tales depicted in this season: The Dwarven city Khazad-dum was affected by King Durin III’s corrupted ring, leading him to the deepest parts of the mountain where a Balrog lay dormant. Additionally, one of the less central storylines in the season culminated in a major event, though many fans had predicted it from the beginning.
(WARNING: SPOILERS FOLLOW!)
It’s fascinating to discover that most of the theories circulating among fans were indeed accurate: The character portrayed by Daniel Weyman, known as ‘The Stranger’, is revealed to be none other than Gandalf the Grey from Lord of the Rings lore!
The Rings of Power Reveals How Gandalf Got His Name & Staff
In the final episode of Season 2 of “The Rings of Power”, titled “Shadow and Flame”, the enigmatic character The Stranger reconnects with his Harfoot companions, Nori Brandyfoot (Markella Kavenagh) and Poppy Proudfellow (Megan Richards). These two have been living among their more settled relatives, the Stoors, in the desolate lands of Rhun. However, tragedy strikes when the Stoors’ village is targeted by a malevolent sorcerer (Ciarán Hinds) and his masked raiders, demanding that The Stranger be handed over. Matters worsen as Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear), an unusual figure in Middle-earth, guides The Stranger to a vision of Nori and Poppy’s demise at the hands of the sorcerer, leaving him with a difficult decision: protect his friends or seek the magical staff that will unleash his powers and memories.
In the final scene, The Stranger confronts the Dark Mage in the settlement of the Stoors. The Dark Mage attempts to bond with The Stranger based on their shared past, implying they could form an alliance, and accuses them both of questionable companionship since arriving in Middle-earth. However, The Stranger expresses a preference for being among people like the Harfoots and Stoors, which angers the Dark Mage, who retaliates by summoning an avalanche to destroy the village as a display of his loyalty to his own allies. The Stranger’s magic saves the Stoors from being crushed by the falling rocks, earning him their respect and admiration. As a result, the Stoors are forced to wander like their Harfoot kin, and before they depart, each one thanks The Stranger for his bravery, affectionately calling him “Grand Elf.
After reconnecting with Nori, Poppy, and the Stoors, and regaining enough consciousness and magical prowess to continue guarding Middle-earth against Sauron’s wickedness, The Stranger decides it’s time to depart. He heads back to Tom Bombadil’s abode and contemplates the significant choice of choosing his name. As he foresees that “Grand Elf” might not be fitting, he subtly alters it to “Gandalf,” a name he already intuits will be destined for him.
The “mystery” of Gandalf’s identity in The Rings of Power hasn’t been much of one – not since the early episodes of Season 1, which blurred the lines well between The Stranger possibly being Sauron, if not Gandalf. It’s been an issue with fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s original canon; in the original texts, Gandalf didn’t come to Middle-earth from Valinor until the Third Age – around the time that Sauron had taken on the form of “The Necromancer” and was lurking in the shadows.
As a dedicated fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, it’s fair to say that Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit Trilogy significantly reshaped our collective understanding of the timeline for many of us, with Gandalf being present during the events of The Hobbit. Now, with Amazon’s The Rings of Power, they’re pushing the boundaries even further, setting Gandalf and the other Istari (wizards) in Middle-earth during the Second Age. I have to admit, this departure from the original lore might be a deal-breaker for some viewers. But as a series, the reveal of Gandalf felt predictable yet no less impactful in this fresh retelling.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Seasons 1 and 2 are streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
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2024-10-04 01:10