As a seasoned gamer and ardent fan of all things Tolkien, I must admit that the upcoming Season 2 of “The Rings of Power” has me thoroughly captivated. The introduction of this new Dark Wizard in the realm of Rh?n adds an exciting layer of intrigue to the already rich tapestry of Middle-earth’s lore.
As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled about the upcoming season 2 of “The Rings of Power.” Unlike before, where we constantly worried about Sauron, a new menace is brewing in the Eastern part of Middle-earth. Yes, Sauron is back, but there’s also a mysterious Dark Wizard gathering power in Rhûn, the same region where three Mystics followed the Stranger in season 1, believing him to be Sauron reborn.
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, wizards – whether dark or not – are uncommon and powerful entities. Thus, when we got the opportunity to speak with ‘The Rings of Power’ showrunner Patrick McKay about the role of a Dark Wizard in the series, he responded by saying that it isn’t entirely novel. “Powerful beings often succumb to evil,” McKay explained. “Gandalf refrains from carrying the Ring because of his fear of the destruction it could cause. Saruman becomes evil, convinced that this is the best way to save the world, albeit in a warped sense. So, we know that good characters can turn bad and we understand that wizards too can fall into darkness. The unfolding storyline involving Ciar?n Hinds should, hopefully, prove an exciting watch for fans.”
Who is the Dark Wizard in The Rings of Power Season 2?
In simpler terms, McKay raises the possibility that the Dark Wizard might be a younger Saruman from the Second Age, as some fans speculate he could be the Stranger. However, since the series The Rings of Power suggests the arrival of the wizards in Middle-earth happened during the Second Age instead of the Third Age like we know from Lord of the Rings, it’s questionable whether Saruman would have fallen twice. Additionally, although Hinds’ portrayal as the mysterious character in The Rings of Power somewhat resembles Christopher Lee’s depiction of Saruman in the Lord of the Rings films, it seems improbable that The Rings of Power would present a scenario where Saruman falls to darkness twice.
In Tolkien’s works, Radagast the Brown is often portrayed as a secondary wizard with limited screen time, serving more as a plot device than a fully-developed character. However, what little is revealed about him suggests a deep affection for animals, which led him to spend considerable time in the forests of Middle-earth rather than fulfilling his duties. This affection does not seem to suggest any inclination towards darkness, and there’s no evidence that he ever visited Rhun.
Is the Dark Wizard in The Rings of Power a Blue Wizard?
In The Lord of the Rings, we encounter only two wizards who are briefly mentioned and later expanded upon in other parts of J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythos: the Blue Wizards. Over time, Tolkien’s thoughts on these wizards evolved, leading to inconsistencies between his earlier and later writings, even regarding their names. The Amazon series The Rings of Power might have blended elements from both of Tolkien’s versions of the Blue Wizards to introduce Hinds, a Dark Wizard.
The earliest known writing by Tolkien on the Blue Wizards is his 1954 essay on the Istari (published in Unfinished Tales of N?menor and Middle-earth). He names the wizards Alatar and Pallando. In this iteration, the Blue Wizards went to Middle-earth during the Third Age, at the same time as the other Wizards, then traveled with Saruman into the East, with only Saruman ever returning to the West. In a letter Tolkien wrote in 1958, he suggests that the Blue Wizards must have abandoned their intended purpose in Middle-earth and likely founded cults steeped in dark magic traditions.
In a document penned just before his death in 1973, J.R.R. Tolkien revised the narrative of the two Blue Wizards – previously known as Morinehtar and R?mest?mo – in his work “The Five Wizards.” This new portrayal paints them as more heroic figures. In this rendition, the Blue Wizards were among the first to arrive in Middle-earth during the Second Age, long before the other wizards. They embarked on solitary journeys across the East and South of Middle-earth, where they actively opposed the spread of worship dedicated to Melkor. Their efforts disrupted Sauron’s operations in these regions, contributing significantly to his eventual defeat during the War of the Last Alliance. Tolkien also posited that the Blue Wizards were active during the War of the Ring and worked covertly against Sauron or the forces he amassed from the East and South. If they had not been present, the forces of the Men of the West would have likely been outnumbered, potentially leading to their defeat. The fact that Sauron ultimately fell indicates that the Blue Wizards achieved their mission.
If it turns out that this “Dark Wizard” is actually a Blue Wizard, then it seems he’s a combination of both versions from J.R.R. Tolkien’s works. Similar to the later Blue Wizards, he would have arrived before the others and journeyed alone into the East, eventually reaching Rhûn. However, instead of fulfilling his mission, he succumbed to darkness, establishing a cult of dark magic (wherein the Mystics are members), much like Alatar and Pallando may have done. Yet, this does not necessarily mean that he will remain in the shadows. In the world of The Rings of Power, there’s potential for the story to merge further, allowing the Stranger to aid in the redemption of this Dark Wizard, transforming him into a beneficial force in the East, as Rómestámo did, whose name signifies “East-helper.”
Currently, it’s purely speculative. However, fans will get to witness the tale unfold in Season 2 of The Rings of Power, starting with its initial three episodes airing on August 29th.
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2024-08-23 17:10